As temperatures drop during winter, pest control experts and city officials warn Chattanooga residents to beware of rodents looking for a warm place to stay.
The Chattanooga Times Free Press reviewed 197 rat-related service requests reported to Chattanooga 311 in 2022 and 2023 and found infestation concerns were reported consistently throughout the city but were concentrated more heavily in the downtown area.
“(In) downtown Chattanooga and the surrounding areas that are on the outskirts, the residential side, there’s been more issues,” said Chad Haney, an owner of Lookout Pest Control. “That hasn’t been just recently, it’s been over some time — maybe a couple years.”