- Author: Niamh Quinn
- Posted by: Elaine Lander
Trapping is the safest and most effective method for controlling rats and mice in and around homes, garages, and other structures. Rodents that live in close association with humans are called commensal rodents. Rats and mice are the most frequently encountered commensal rodents in California.
Selecting the correct trap
Before trapping, make sure you know what rodent pest you have. It is a very common mistake to select the wrong size trap when you have not yet determined whether you have mice or rats (and the correctly identified rat species).
You will not catch a rat with a mouse trap, and you will not catch a mouse with a rat trap. To determine...
- Author: Niamh Quinn
![Eastern fox squirrel. [C.L.Christie]](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/UCIPMurbanpests/blogfiles/33868small.jpg)
[From the November 2015 issue of the UC IPM Retail Nursery and Garden Center IPM News]
...Continued from Tree or Ground Squirrel: What's the Difference?, Part I
Eastern Fox Squirrel Management
Of the four tree squirrels, the eastern fox squirrel is considered to be the most serious pest to homes and gardens in urban and suburban environments. Fox squirrels that are found to be injuring growing crops or...
- Author: Niamh Quinn
![Western gray squirrel. [K.A. Cabrera]](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/UCIPMurbanpests/blogfiles/33863small.jpg)
[From the November 2015 issue of the UC IPM Retail Nursery and Garden Center IPM News]
Read Part 2 of this article.
California is home to several species of squirrels, which can be divided into three groups: tree squirrels, ground squirrels, and flying squirrels.
Ground squirrels have been identified as the most common vertebrate pest in agricultural areas, but...
![Mule deer. [W.P.Gorenzel]](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/UCIPMurbanpests/blogfiles/32991small.jpg)
From the UCANR Green Blog
Did you know that it is illegal to feed wildlife? As tempting as it is to put out bread crumbs for birds or deer chow for Bambi, there are downsides to feeding wild animals, says a UC Agriculture and Natural Resources expert in human-wildlife conflict resolution.
California law states: “Except as otherwise authorized in these regulations or in the Fish and Game Code, no person shall harass, herd or drive any game or...
