Rats & Roaches: America's Most Pest-Infested Cities

If you are considering starting a pest-control business, you should probably establish yourself in New Orleans. According to 2013 American Housing Survey data reported by the Seattle Times, The Big Easy has the highest percentage of pests of any American city. 2.5 percent of homes reported seeing a rat over the previous 12 months, along with 35.6 percent who found evidence of cockroaches.

Even though New York City is well known for its rat problems, it actually ranks lower than many other American city's for rodent-related problems. Memphis (2.3 percent), Austin (2.1 percent), Miami (1.8 percent) and Dallas (1.8 percent) all reported more rat sightings over the past year than the Big Apple.