Social Media Summary

At the West Coast Rodent Academy, 45 pest management professionals gained hands-on skills in rodent ecology, exclusion techniques, and rodenticide awareness to tackle California's urban rodent issues.

 

The Issue

Urban rodent populations pose ongoing challenges to public health and infrastructure in California. From residential neighborhoods to schools and agricultural zones, pest management professionals encounter a variety of rodent species and face complex challenges in controlling their spread. The need for effective, sustainable rodent management solutions is essential to protect both public and environmental health, making specialized training increasingly important for professionals across California.

 

How UC Delivers

In October, the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) hosted the 17th bi-annual West Coast Rodent Academy (WCRA) in collaboration with the California Pest Management Association, Target Specialty Products, and Veseris. Held at the South Coast Research and Extension Center in Irvine, this three-day workshop provided in-depth training on rodent ecology and integrated pest management (IPM) for 45 participants from diverse backgrounds in the pest control industry. Led by UCCE Human-Wildlife Interactions advisor Niamh Quinn, industry experts shared practical skills and the latest research on rodent behavior, disease, trapping, and rodenticide impacts.

Participants ranged from newcomers, like Paige Reyes, who recently joined the pest control industry, to seasoned experts with decades of experience. Reyes, attending on scholarship, said, “Even though my dad teaches me so much, I'm learning just how smart rats really are at this training.” In one of the program's hands-on sessions, groups tackled exclusion activities, sealing entry points with materials like mesh and mineral wool to prevent rodent access. This hands on exclusion workshop was developed for West Coast Rodent Academy and is now being used in other States to train pest management professionals.

On the second day, participants learned about rodenticides, where Quinn presented her latest research on rodenticide exposure in wildlife, funded by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation and California Department of Food and Agriculture. These sessions provided insight into regulatory changes and rodenticide resistance, equipping participants to apply updated methods in the field. There is limited applied research for commensal rodent management in the US, so hearing about the research first hand and being able to use it in the field, is a unique and very important part of West Coast Rodent Academy.

 

The Impact

The West Coast Rodent Academy helps build a well-trained workforce equipped to address California's rodent control challenges using IPM principles. One hundred percent of participants learned something new at the workshop and are planning to use this knowledge to change their behaviors in the future. All of the participants felt that they had increased competence in their jobs because of their attendance at the West Coast Rodent Academy.

New professionals like Reyes gain essential knowledge for safe and effective practices, while veterans like Josue Campos, who attended after waiting a year for a spot, appreciated updates on “what doesn't work anymore and what we need to start doing.” Campos, who manages a small pest control business, said the Academy allowed him to share valuable information with colleagues and bring back solutions to implement immediately.

After two months since participating in the academy, Campos said he started using stop feed baits and polyurethane sealant when securing devices. “The rats loved the bait we used before, but they would eat all of it shortly after we set up the bait station,” he said. “We were also using liquid nails to secure our rat traps, but I learned that polyurethane works a lot better at the academy. So, I use that now and it's true,” Campos added.

The workshop impacts California communities directly by preparing pest control professionals to adapt to changing regulatory environments and public health concerns. For example, Lance Swift, Director of Maintenance, Operations, and Transportation for Princeton Joint Unified School District, noted that this specialized training will enhance his work in managing pest issues in schools across his district.

 

Looking Ahead: 

With California's rodent population evolving, the need for continued education on IPM and rodent management techniques is greater than ever. The West Coast Rodent Academy remains a cornerstone in UC ANR's mission to foster safe, effective pest management practices statewide, bridging the gap between research and practice for lasting impact.

To learn more about West Coast Rodent Academy, visit: West Coast Rodent Academy.