Atlanta comes in near the top for worst cities with roach infestations

ATLANTA — It’s hardly one of those things that the city of Atlanta probably wants to be known for, but ApartmentGuide.com’s analysis of data from the American Housing Survey shows Atlanta is the U.S. city with the second-highest number of roach infestations.

“If you live in the South, you’re far more likely to encounter roaches than anywhere else in the US. In the South, the average percentage of roach sightings is 24.97%. This is significantly higher than the national average of 11.3%,” ApartmentGuide.com said.

The data showed Atlanta came in at 29.35% with an average percentage of roach sightings. The only city higher that Atlanta was Houston, coming in at 35.24%.

“If you live in one of the top three metros with the most roach infestations, you’ll want to take steps to rid your home and prevent these pests,” ApartmentGuide.com said.

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There was one consolation from the study, which showed that Atlanta had a very low percentage of rodent sightings, coming in at 4.98%.

The city of Philadelphia topped that part of the study, with an 18.90% average of rodent sightings.

As we reported earlier this month, the hot weather and rain of the past few weeks has roaches making themselves at home in people’s houses across metro Atlanta.

Channel 2′s Berndt Petersen spoke with Walt Cline of Pro Pest Products. Cline said he’s got a warehouse full of stuff to get rid of those sneaky little roaches.

“Toward the end of the summer and into fall, that’s when the populations explode,” Cline said.

He also spoke with University of Georgia Agricultural Extension Agent James Murphy.

Murphy explained that the heavy rain and extremely hot temperatures send the roaches and their relatives, Palmetto Bugs, scurrying for the nearest shelter.

“Well, if it is raining cats and dogs, it might as well be raining cockroaches,” Murphy said.

The study suggested several ways you can help prevent roaches from infesting your home:

• Keep a clean space.
• Inspect your building for cracks, leaks and other structural issues.
• Store garbage properly.
• Store food properly.
• Repair rot.

Rain, warm weather creating big problem with roaches in Gwinnett County With the hot weather and rain of the past few weeks, it appears the roaches are making themselves at home in people’s houses. And they aren’t going away.

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