Chicago 'rattiest' city...is Oak Park the 'mousiest'?

By Terry Dean
Two weeks ago, pest control company Orkin released an assessment of the "rattiest" cities in the United States. Chicago topped the list of 20, based on the numbers and types of treatments Orkin does in cities nationwide.
That got us thinking about Oak Park and specifically the high school, known over the years for having its own mice problem. But before dubbing Oak Park the nation's "mousiest" city — or at least for Chicago area suburbs — we thought we'd check with OPRF first concerning its mouse issue. According to spokesperson Karin Sullivan, following a check with Buildings and Grounds Director Robert Zummallen, OPRF no longer has a rodent problem like it use to. And as we reported in October 2011, the high school made a major push to control its mouse problem. The days of students, and staff, eating food in places other than lunchrooms was discouraged. There was also a crack down of folk using the building on weekends and not cleaning up their left behind food.
And with Chicago's longtime rat problem, maybe we were just getting visits from some of those critters' relatives. The other top five cities from Orkin, by the way, were L.A., WashingtonD.C., New York and San Francisco.
Related articles:
- OPRF steps up effort to control long-standing rodent problem (2011)
- Chicago dubbed 'rattiest' city in the United States
Love the Journal?
Become our partner in independent community journalism
Thanks for turning to Wednesday Journal and OakPark.com. We love our thousands of digital-only readers. Now though we're asking you to partner up in paying for our reporters and photographers who report this news. It had to happen, right?
On the plus side, we're giving you a simple way, and a better reason, to join in. We're now a non-profit -- Growing Community Media -- so your donation is tax deductible. And signing up for a monthly donation, or making a one-time donation, is fast and easy.
No threats from us. The news will be here. No paywalls or article countdowns. We're counting on an exquisite mix of civic enlightenment and mild shaming. Sort of like public radio.
Claim your bragging rights. Become a digital member.
Reader Comments
1 Comment - Add Your Comment
Note: This page requires you to login with Facebook to comment.
Facebook Connect
Answer Book 2019
To view the full print edition of the Wednesday Journal 2019 Answer Book, please click here. |
Quick Links
Sign-up to get the latest news updates for Oak Park and River Forest. | |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | |
Subscribe | Classified |
Multimedia | Contact us |
Submit Letter To The Editor | |
Place a Classified Ad |
Latest Comments
@Tom, Clark owns one house. He took a tax break on it...
By Jason Cohen
Posted: January 16th, 2021 11:58 AM
Ruth Lazarus and Ed Egan what I think the difference...
By Bill Maxwell
Posted: January 16th, 2021 10:50 AM
Rob Ruffulo In reality of course it is relevant when...
By Bill Maxwell
Posted: January 16th, 2021 10:42 AM
OK Ruth, so Clark is just a liar. Our bias against...
By Tom MacMillan
Posted: January 16th, 2021 10:10 AM
You just struggle with allowing any facts to enter...
By William Dwyer Jr.
Posted: January 16th, 2021 10:04 AM
I don't listen to racist hillbilly white trash,...
By William Dwyer Jr.
Posted: January 16th, 2021 9:42 AM
Winter Skye
Posted: October 25th, 2014 9:52 AM
I will never forget a trip to the Olympic Theater in Cicero in the '90s and sitting there watching a rat dragging a popcorn container through the aisle with it over its head. *shivers*