Halloween or not, there are few things that send creepy chills up our spine like rodents in our home. Once rodents become established, they can breed quickly and establish a large population that can be nearly impossible to eliminate. Rats and mice can cause significant damage to your property and may also harbor diseases that can sicken you and your family.

But who do you call when you spot the creepy critters? “Rodent infestation, left unchecked, can become a public health nuisance,” said Tammy Derby, Code Enforcement Manager for Sacramento County Code Enforcement. “Typically, we don’t get involved until the infestation becomes a public health hazard and we need to step in to require pest control and preventative maintenance efforts.”

Code Enforcement generally hears about situations involving extreme infestation from the neighboring properties. Oftentimes, homeowners may be elderly and without the resources to properly maintain their homes, and on other occasions, the homeowner may be unaware, absent from the property, or unconcerned with the infestation.

Some neighborhoods are attractive to rodents due to natural habitats such as creeks, drainage ditches and overgrown foliage. These situations are much more difficult to control. All property owners in the area need to be vigilant in removing potential food sources such as pet food, discarded or dropped fruits, berries and nuts from backyard trees and bushes. Additionally, removal of dense vegetation will reduce the opportunity for rodent housing.

What to do About Vermin:

Tenants: if you are experiencing rodent or vector infestation, first, contact your landlord for proper handling. Within the unincorporated area of Sacramento County, if the landlord is unresponsive, contact County Code Enforcement to request that an advisory letter is sent to the property owner. The letter allows them 30 days to fix the problem. After 30 days, the tenant/complainant will be contacted to verify that the repairs have been made or if the violations remain, an inspection will be conducted. Learn how to file a complaint by calling 916-875-5656 or by visiting Code Enforcement at www.msa2.saccounty.net/dns/codeEnforcement/Pages/HowtoFile.aspx

Homeowners: Contact a local company to handle your infestation for rats and mice. You can also find more information about how to deal with pest management through the Quick Tips for Managing Home and Landscape Pets through the University of California, Agricultural and Natural Resources Page at www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/QT/ratscard.html.

Neighbors: First, as with any dispute with a neighbor, where possible, talk with your neighbor about the nuisance. Perhaps they are unaware and a simple conversation can remedy the situation. If the owner is not on the premises, or you feel that a conversation would not be helpful, you can contact the County by calling 875-5656 Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. – 9 p.m. or report an issue online at www.msa.saccounty.net/communityhazards/report.htm