Philadelphia had the highest percentage of residents reporting mice and rats in their homes.
PHILADELPHIA -- Philly is known for being home to the best cheesesteaks and the birthplace of the nation, but now it has a new title to add to the list.
Philadelphia has the most homes infested with mice or rats, according to survey results reported by Bloomberg.
The news source reported that 18 percent of Philadelphians surveyed in the government statistical agency's American Housing Survey reported living with rats, mice or both rodents.
Also making the top five on the list was Boston, New York City, Washington, D.C. and Milwaukee.
The City of Brotherly Love landed at number 13 on the list of cities with the most homes infested with cockroaches. Topping that category, according to Bloomberg, was New Orleans, Houston, Miami, Atlanta and Phoenix.
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The survey found that numbers of both rodents and roaches in residences in Philadelphia were down from the last survey two years ago.
Philadelphia's Health Department's "vector control" program -- a vector is a technical term for a creature that carries disease -- works to curb rodent populations in the city.
The department's website says an environmental health inspector calls about rats, inside or outside, to "inspect the site, provide treatment for the problem, and make recommendations to keep residences rodent free."
The inspectors also respond to calls about rats, mice, roaches, ticks, fleas and other pests. They can be reached at 215-685-9000.
Rebecca Everett may be reached at reverett@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @rebeccajeverett. Find NJ.com on Facebook.