1. Vertebrate Pests Rats, House Mice, Pocket Gophers, Ground Squirrels, Tree Squirrels, Moles, Rabbits and Bunnies, Deer, Pigeons, European Starlings, Etc.

3. Rats There are two common rats in Southern California The roof rat (Rattus rattus) And the Norwegian rat (Rattus norvegicus) Rats are mostly nocturnal Poor eye sight is made up for with a keen sense hearing, smell, taste and touch

4. Roof Rat Rattus rattus Smaller than Norway rats Sometimes called black rats Tails are longer than combined head and body length Agile climbers and good jumpers making them more difficult to exclude

5. Roof Rat Nests are usually above ground in shrubs and trees, and dense vegetation In buildings they are found in enclosed, elevated spaces – cabinets, attics, false ceilings, etc Roof rats tend to be found in the warmer more coastal regions

6. Norwegian Rat

7. Roof Rat

8. Roof Rat Distribution

9. Norway Rat Rattus norvegicus A.K.A. brown rats or sewer rats Stocky bodied Burrows along foundations, under debris piles, wood piles, or other moist areas Indoors – usually found in basements or at the ground floor Found in all 48 contiguous states

10. Norway Rat

12. Rat Comparisons

15. Dropping Comparison

16. Spotting Infestations Droppings around dog or cat dishes or pet food storage containers Noises coming from the attic just after dusk Remnants of rat nests in firewood stacks

17. Spotting Infestations Pets bringing home dead rat carcasses Evidence rodents are feeding on fruits and nuts that are in your yard or falling from the trees in your yard Burrows among plants or damaged vegetables when working in the garden

18. Spotting Infestations Rats traveling along utility lines or on the tops of fences at dusk or soon after Rat nests behind boxes or in drawers in the garage Smudge marks caused by the rats rubbing their fur against beams, rafters, pipes, and walls

19. Spotting Infestations Burrows beneath compost piles or beneath garbage cans Droppings in your recycling bins Drowned rats in swimming pools or hot tubs Evidence of something digging under garden tool sheds or doghouses

20. Rat Management There three commonly used methods of controlling rat problems Sanitation Building construction and rodent proofing Population control – trapping and toxic baits

21. Sanitation Areas should be kept clear of trash and debris Food sources should be removed Pet food should never be left out over night Storage containers should be tightly sealed Reduce or remove overgrown vegetation

22. Construction & Rodent Proofing One of the most effective means of rodent control is exclusion – “build them out” Seal all cracks or openings larger than 1/4” Make certain doors, windows and screens fit securely

23. Rodent-Proofing Your Home Repair or replace damaged ventilation screen around the foundation and under eaves Provide a tight fitting cover for the crawl space Seal all openings around pipes, cables, and wires that enter through walls or the foundation

24. Rodent-Proofing Your Home Be sure all windows that can be opened are screened and that the screens are in good condition Cover all chimneys with a spark arrester Make sure internal screens on roof and attic air vents are in good repair

25. Rodent-Proofing Your Home Cover rooftop plumbing vent pipes in excess of 2 inches in diameter with screens over their tops Make sure all exterior doors are tight fitting and weatherproofed at the bottom Seal gaps beneath garage doors with a gasket or weather-stripping.

26. Rodent-Proofing Your Home Install self-closing exits or screening to clothes dryer vents to the outside Remember that pet doors into the house or garage provide an easy entrance for rodents Keep side doors to the garage closed, especially at night

27. Population Control Limiting food sources and habitat can be an effective means of control Periodically it becomes necessary to physically reduce the population Bait stations are an effective means of outdoor control Trapping is an effective means of indoor control

28. Snap Traps Good for indoor use – in and under cabinets, sheds, etc. Snap traps offer positive results They are relatively safe and effective

29. Bait Stations Some are designed for indoor use Most are for outdoor use Toxic baits are put out of reach from other animals within the bait stations

30. Bait Stations

31. The House Mouse Mus musculus Highly troublesome pest nation wide Thrives under a variety of conditions Found in and around homes and commercial buildings, open fields and agricultural lands

32. The House Mouse Mus musculus House Mouse

33. House Mice Capable of causing large amounts of damage Mice consume and contaminate human food supplies and animal and pet feed Mice can transmit pathogens They have not been found to transmit hantavirus

34. House Mice Mice are small rodents Weight of about 1/2 ounce Color is light brown to gray 5-1/2” to 7-1/2” long including a 3” to 4” tail House mice are typically nocturnal

35. Mouse Signs Mice infestations are typically recognized by: Droppings Fresh gnaw marks Tracks Nests – finely shredded paper and other fibrous materials Nests are typically found in secluded, sheltered areas

36. House Mice House mice often live in close association to humans They are excellent climbers Capable of running up any rough vertical surface They can jump as high as 12” And can squeeze through openings slightly larger than 1/4”

37. Prolific Little Rascals House mice can have 5 to 10 litters per year With 5 to 6 young per litter House mice reach reproductive maturity in 6 to 10 weeks The average life span is 9 to 12 months

38. Controls Sanitation Exclusion Trapping or baiting becomes necessary when infestations occur Snap traps or sticky traps Bait stations – toxic baits

39. Traps

40. Hantavirus Vectors White-Footed Mouse Peromyscus maniculatus Deer Mouse Peromyscus leucopus

41. Pocket Gophers Thomomys species 5 species occur in California Burrowing rodents Named for fur-lined external cheek pouches They are physically well equipped for digging and burrowing

42. Pocket Gophers

43. External Cheek Pouches

44. Pocket Gophers Pocket gophers have short, fine brown furs that resists caking mud Small eyes and large ears Large incisor teeth 6” to 10” long Powerful front-quarters with large claws on front paws Well suited for digging

45. Claws & Teeth

46. Gopher Habitat Pocket gophers are typically found underground Occasionally seen feeding aboveground or pushing soil from burrows Activity is indicated by large, crescent- shaped mounds of fresh soil The tunnel is plugged with soil The plug is offset from the center of the mound

47. Pocket Gopher Mounds

48. Tunnel Systems Tunnels appear regularly in irrigated areas Non-irrigated areas activity in fall – spring Burrow systems can cover as much as 2,000 sq. ft. Tunnels 2-1/2” to 3-1/2” dia. – 6” to 12” deep Nests and storage galleries as deep as 6’ Short, sloping tunnels connect tunnels to surface – used to evacuate soil

49. Tunnel Systems

50. Pocket Gophers Do not hibernate Active at all hours Typically solitary except when breeding Reach sexual maturity in about 1 year Life span is about 3 years Females have up to 3 litter per year in irrigated areas Typically only 1 litter in non-irrigated areas fall - spring

51. Feed Holes Feed holes are usually unplugged Vegetation is clipped around the hole

52. Pocket Gopher Damage Pocket gophers feed on various landscape plants, roots and underground fleshy portions of plants Chewing damage to plastic irrigation pipes and sprinkler heads Tunnels can divert irrigation and cause erosion

53. Controls Probing is used to find main tunnels Trapping and baiting of main tunnels Various trap types are used Traps are placed in opposing directions in main tunnels Placement also occurs at the lateral tunnels

54. Tunnel Probes & Probing Tunnel Probe Probing a Tunnel

55. Pocket Gopher Traps

56. Trap Placements

57. Toxic Baits Strictly follow label directions Requires proper placement

58. Exclusion Bury hardware cloth or poultry wire 2’ deep and 1’ above ground Use 6” to 8” of 1” gravel around irrigation pipes and utility vaults

59. Fumigation Rarely effective Requires persistence

60. Moles Scapanus species Small insectivorous mammals Found in all but the driest areas of California Creates a large network of shallow interconnecting tunnels Feeds on worms, insects, etc Occasionally feeds on bulbs, roots and other plant materials

61. Moles Stout, heavy-bodied animal Short, velvety dark colored fur Strong forelimbs with large spade-like front paws Short, bare pointed snouts Ears are not visible Eyes are poorly developed

62. Moles

63. Mole Damage Most damage is caused by dislodging plants Unsightly mounds and ridges in lawns cause undermining Mounds are circular and inline over tunnels

64. Mole Mounds

65. Mole Ridges

66. Controls Trapping Mole traps differ from pocket gopher traps Scissor-jaw traps Harpoon traps Exclusion Toxic baits – not very effective Eliminating food sources - insecticides

67. Mole Traps Scissor-Jaw Trap Harpoon Trap

68. California Ground Squirrels Spermophilus beecheyi Found in nearly all regions of California Bodies are 9” to 11” long with thick, bushy tails Brownish-gray color with white specks along the back Capable of climbing trees Usually retreat to burrows when frightened

69. California Ground Squirrels

70. Habitat Disturbed areas, roadsides, ditch-banks, fence rows, around buildings and edges of field crops Large colonies of several dozen inhabitants Tunnels can be 5’ to 30’ in length 2’ to 4’ deep Burrows typically have more than one opening Feeds within 75 yards of tunnel openings

71. Burrows

72. California Ground Squirrels Typically active through the day Most hibernate in winter except in mild areas In hottest times adults can become inactive for periods of 2 weeks or more Breed once per year 7 to 8 young per litter Breeding season in Southern California begins in December

73. Damage Undermine foundations Cause slope failures Tunneling is danger to livestock, horseback riders Disease carriers particularly in areas where squirrel populations are high

74. Bubonic Plague Known carriers of the fleas that carry bubonic plague Ground squirrels are susceptible to the plague Never handle dead ground squirrels If ground squirrels seem to have died for no apparent reason authorities should be notified

75. Controls Various traps Toxic bait stations Fumigation Habitat modification Where allowed - shooting

76. Box Trap

77. Runway Traps

78. Conibear Trap

79. Bait Box

80. PVC Bait Station

81. Fumigation

82. Control Schedule

83. Red Fox Squirrel Sciurus niger A.K.A Eastern Fox Squirrel Introduced species form the eastern United States Established in most cities in California An established pest in commercial crops Rapid climbers escaping into trees Nests in trees, attic spaces, etc.

84. Red Fox Squirrel 10” to 12” long Brownish orange-red fur Long bushy tails Active during the day Forages on ground and in trees Feeds on insects, fungi, pine nuts, acorns and other seeds, whatever handouts they receive, eggs and young birds

85. Red Fox Squirrel

86. Damage Damage to buildings and gardens Damage to fruits, nuts, various crop and ornamental plants Dig in turf areas to hide nuts Gnaw through phone cables Gnaw into irrigation pipes and sprinkler heads Carries diseases transmissible to humans

87. Controls Difficult to control Tunnel traps Exclusion Only the red fox squirrel may be killed without permits – other tree squirrels are protected by the California Fish & Game Code Natural Squirrel Control

88. Meadow Voles Microtus species A.K.A. Meadow Mice Mouse-like 5” to 8” including the tail Compact, heavy-bodied with short-furred tail Short blackish-brown to grayish-brown long coarse fur Small eyes and partially hidden ears

89. Meadow Voles

90. Meadow Vole Habitat Often seen in aboveground runways Runways partially hidden under tall grass and other ground covers Active 24 hours a day, year-round Live in small colonies of adults and young Herbivorous – feeding on bulbs and tubers, grasses, herbaceous plants, bark and roots

91. Vole Runs

93. Vole Damage

94. Meadow Voles Voles breed throughout the year Populations can explode into the thousands per acre Female become sexually mature in 35 to 40 days Voles have 5 to 10 litters per year 3 to 6 young per litter Lifespan is 10 to 12 months

95. Controls Habitat modification Removal or reduction of vegetative cover Weed-free strips around perimeters acts as buffers Cleared circles 4’ dia. around trees help reduce damage Traps Sticky mouse traps Snap traps – without bait Toxic baits Repellants

96. Controls Exclusion Wire fences with mesh less than 1/4” Wire mesh cylinders around trees

97. Meadow Vole Exclusion

98. Rabbits Of eight species in California 3 cause the most damage Jackrabbits – Lepus californicus Desert cottontail – Sylvilagus audubonii Brush rabbit – S. bachmani

99. Jackrabbits Large, fast rabbits Weighs from 3 lbs to 7 lbs 17” to 21” in length Grayish-brown fur Long, black-tipped ears Top of tail is black Long front legs Longer back legs

100. Jackrabbits

101. Jackalope

102. Cottontails Small rabbit 1-1/2 lbs to 2-3/4 lbs 12” to 15” long Pale gray fur with yellowish tints

103. Cottontail Rabbits

104. Brush Rabbits Very small rabbit Often referred to as “bunnies” 1-1/4 lbs to 1-3/4 lbs 11” to 13” in length Brown fur

105. Brush Rabbits

106. Rabbits Most rabbits are active day or night Rabbits do most damage close to the ground Gnaw bark on young trees girdling stems Clip herbaceous plants and grasses close to the ground Damage irrigation pipes and sprinkler heads Rabbits can carry disease – Tularemia (rabbit fever)

107. Controls Rabbits are difficult to control Classified as a game mammal by the California Fish and Game Code Special restrictions apply to their control

108. Exclusion One of the more effective means Use of fences at least 48” high They should be buried at least 10” below ground Mesh should be less than 1” Gates should fit tightly Nothing should be around the fence for the rabbits to use as a perch Requires constant monitoring

109. Other Means of Control Trapping Live traps are not recommended Illegal to relocate mammals without permits Repellants Various chemical repellants available Limited success Habitat management Shooting Requires licenses Restrictions apply

110. Raccoons Procyon lotor Up to 25 lbs. Over 36” Carries rabies Hunts fish in fish ponds Goes through garbage Can become aggressive

111. Rock Dove A.K.A. Pigeon Columba livia To 13” Droppings damage buildings, statues, cars, walks, etc. Nests in attics, old buildings Carries disease

112. Opossums Didelphis virginiana The only North American native marsupial 24” to 36” long Up to 15 lbs

113. Opossums Feeds out of pet bowls Also feeds on garden snails Eats fruits, berries and vegetables from the garden No real threat Other than that – just plain adorable

114. European Starlings Sturnus vulgaris 7-1/2” to 8-1/2” Carries disease Damages fruit crops Competes with hole- nesting birds

115. European Starlings

116. House Finches Carpodacus mexicanus 5” to 5-3/4” Damages buds and flowers Eats fruits and berries Damages seed crops and seedlings

117. House Finches Female House FinchMale House Finch

118. House Sparrow Passer domesticus 5-3/4” to 6-1/4” Damages seedlings Eats fruits, buds and flowers Highly destructive to newly seeded lawns Droppings damage buildings Destroys nestlings of other species

119. House Sparrow