Denver is the 10th most rat-infested city in the country

This is what they don’t tell you about being an up-and-coming city.

Megan Arellano

Oct. 17, 2016, 3:22 p.m.

Among the many national lists that Denver is climbing is Orkin’s rattiest cities list. This is what they don’t tell you about being an up-and-coming city.

Back in 2014, Denver was 12th on Orkin’s list. Now, the city is 10th for the number of rodent treatments the company performed from October 2015 to September 2016.

If that creeps you out, bad news! Fall is the start of rodent season. Here’s some more information that will give you the heebie jeebies.

“Rats can squeeze through a hole the size of a quarter, while mice can fit through a hole the size of a dime,” John Kane, entomologist and Technical Director of Orkin’s Midwest Region said.

To prevent this, Orkin has a list of tips that essentially amount to do your best to seal your home. And if you think you’re safe because you don’t live on the ground, rats can climb and here’s a video to illustrate their truly nauseating powers:

A fake police officer at the Denver Police Museum inside DPD headquarters, March 22, 2018. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

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The Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception on Colfax Avenue. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

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The company debuted the Chariot shuttle at a press event in October 2018. (David Sachs/Denverite)

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Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser address a crowd outside the State Capitol on Monday, Feb. 18, 2019, in Denver. (Esteban L. Hernandez/Denverite)

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Teachers and supporters march outside of South High School at dawn on the first day of their strike, Feb. 11, 2019. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

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Here’s what just changed.

A couple experiencing homelessness lives in this camp along Sand Creek. (Donna Bryson/Denverite)

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Randy Russell sits beyond a police line. "Homeless sweeps" on Nov. 15, 2016. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)homeless; sweeps; denver rescue mission; police; justice; kevinjbeaty; denver; denverite; colorado; camping ban; right to rest;

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A Thrive Elements Collection home in Stapleton. (Donna Bryson/Denverite)

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A screen shot of Blucifer: The Doom Horse of Denver.

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Boettcher Concert Hall. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

The Colorado Symphony wants a new concert hall

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Guinevere Vigil rides the half pipe in roller skates at Englewood's Cushing Park, Feb. 2, 2019. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

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Denver Public Schools Superintendant Susana Cordova sits in a packed room during negotiations with Denver's teachers union at the Denver Public Library, Feb. 12, 2019. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

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Mayor Michael Hancock announces a city bill to increase minimum wage for city workers, Feb. 14, 2019. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

Denver city workers and contractors are now on track to get a $15 minimum wage

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State House District 37 Rep. Tom Sullivan speaks at a press conference for a "red flag" bill that's being introduced in the state legislature, Feb. 14, 2019. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

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Denver teachers cheer as a live feed of a rally outside the Denver Public Library is fed inside to a negotiation room, Feb. 12, 2019. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

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Rob Gould, lead negotiator for Denver's teachers union, goes over terms of a possible agreement with Denver Public Schools staff at the Denver Public Library, Feb. 12, 2019. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

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