Reader TTS

Based on the latest survey, perhaps the incoming Trump Administration can make these cities pest-free again. Every year, lists of the top cities with the most rats and roaches infestation

are compiled. While it’s good to be in the top 10 of lists for tourism and industry, city officials try to avoid having this particular distinction by any means necessary. Based on current

data, New Orleans, Louisiana tops the lists of cities with the most critters reported in households: Roaches, rats and mice. _ Bloomberg _ compiled data from American households to get a

reflection of what cities are plagued with infestations. Because the critters can’t talk — or won’t — government statisticians asked renters and homeowners for the data. The science is not

exact but is the best tool available to compile a list of cities with pest problems. The numbers and percentages are based on a person’s observation but don’t rule out or confirm exact

numbers; some critters are very good at staying hidden. > Hey guys, look, New Orleans is #1 at something! #NOLAPRIDE > https://t.co/ZK5aeHtxOg >  > — Make Nola Better 

(@MakeNolaBetter) January 19, 2017 The reports typically come out every two years and are conducted by the American Housing Survey (or AHS). It targets the 25 largest metropolitan areas

around the country (15 largest cities and 10 other towns). Officials ask probing questions about the means of financing the home and neighborhood safety, among other things, and if there is

any evidence of cockroaches, mice, rats and other pests. New Orleans, a port city with high humidity, is still recovering from the catastrophic damage brought on by Hurricane Katrina in

2005. Not surprisingly, the Big Easy is finding it difficult to control its rampant pest problem. > What city is most infested with rats and roaches? > https://t.co/48dCk0c28O 

pic.twitter.com/43ygN6CbmF >  > — Top Health News (@healthnews2017) January 18, 2017 According to respondents, in 2015, New Orleans led the nation with the most roaches reported in

households. Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love, reported the most mice and rats. Sixteen percent of New York households polled reported roach infestation and 15 percent reported having

rodents. The Big Apple was the only city to be in the double digits among respondents. To illustrate NYC’s problem, the raw numbers break down to 1.1 million homes with roaches and about

the same figure for rodents. Houston and Boston are also high the list of repeat infestations among American cities , according to the _ Patch _ with the latter two reporting higher

densities of mice and rats. The good news is the two metropolitan areas are on the decline from previous years. > The reports are in! #NewOrleans is #1 for Roaches and #Philadelphia > 

is #1 for Rodents! https://t.co/FXGydsruan >  > — Falcon (@FalconLawnPest) January 18, 2017 Not only are roaches and rats creepy — and embarrassing, if you have guests over — but also

household insects and rodents can be hazardous to your health. Orkin describes the dangers of the American cockroach . > “Cockroaches are filthy pests. They can spread disease, > 

contaminate our food and cause allergies and even asthma. > Cockroaches can pick up germs on their legs and bodies as they crawl > through decaying matter or sewage and then transfer 

these germs to > food or onto food surfaces. According to the World Health > Organization (WHO), they are proven or suspected carriers of the > organisms causing diarrhea, 

dysentery, cholera, leprosy, plague, > typhoid fever and viral diseases such as poliomyelitis.” For pest control companies, the recent results are a boon to the industry and their bottom

lines. If all the rodents and pesky insects vanish, so do jobs. Officials say it’s always wise to call a professional if there is evidence of a roach and rat infestation. Some chemicals

designed to kill pests are also dangerous to humans. It’s important for consumers to conduct their research to find “kid-friendly” or non-toxic substances that won’t harm your health and the

environment. Is your city among the top 25 for rats and roaches? [Featured image by Andrey_Popov/shutterstock]