UC IPM recently hosted a webinar on rat management presented by Dr. Niamh Quinn. During this webinar attendees were able to ask the expert their burning questions about rats and their management. Below are responses to common questions from the webinar.
To view the recording of this webinar, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuKU6izZozo. Or visit the Pest Notes: Rats fact sheet that was recently revised by Dr. Quinn.
Rat Identification
Q: How do I know whether I have a roof rat or a Norway rat?
- Author: Niamh M Quinn
- Author: Roger A Baldwin
- Author: Carolyn Whitesell
With the passing of law AB 1322 in 2023 and the recent passing of AB 2552 in September 2024, the options for managing California ground squirrels using lethal methods in urban areas will be more limited. Despite these changes, there are still some viable options available for managing California ground squirrels.
Fumigants
Fumigation can be challenging in urban areas due to the risk of toxic gases leaking into buildings through burrows. However, some burrow fumigants can be used effectively if applied at a safe distance from structures. Be sure to consult the fumigant label for specific usage criteria. Fumigants are lethal to any animal residing within the burrow.
Beginning July 2023,...
- Author: Lauren Fordyce
- Contributor: Roger A Baldwin
In this blog article we answer some frequently asked questions about moles, voles, and gophers and their management.
How can I tell if I have moles, voles, gophers, or something else?
Moles: look for circular or volcano-shaped mounds with the plug in the middle, or a plug may not be apparent. The soil of mole mounds tends to be clumpier than gophers. Moles sometimes leave a raised ridge just beneath the soil surface while hunting for food.
Voles: look for aboveground runways that connect burrow openings. Grass usually covers the burrows. Voles can girdle trees...
If you have gophers eating plants in your garden or landscape, you'll want to watch this brand new video about the Gophinator trap from UC IPM.
The Gophinator is a highly successful method for catching gophers. The video has easy-to-follow instructions on how to use and set the trap. Watch the video here!
For other information on gophers management including how to exclude them and other control methods, see the UC IPM Pest Note: Gophers.
