With the arrival of prime planting weather, Sacramento County Code Enforcement is encouraging people to consider plantings and landscaping that do not attract rodents. Once rodents become established on a property, they can breed quickly and be nearly impossible to eliminate. Rats and mice can cause significant damage to property and may harbor diseases that can sicken your family.
Some neighborhoods are attractive to rodents due to creeks, drainage ditches and overgrown foliage, making them more difficult to control. Property owners should be vigilant when planting trees or bushes that may contain potential food sources such as dropped fruits and nuts from trees. Code also recommends keeping outside sources of pet food to a minimum.
“Rodent infestation, left unchecked, can become a public health nuisance,” said Code Enforcement Manager Tammy Derby. “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. Often times, homeowners may be elderly and without the resources to properly maintain their homes. On other occasions, the homeowner may be unaware, absent from the property, or unconcerned with the infestation.
What to do About Vermin:
Tenants: 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 and if the violations remain, an inspection will be conducted. File a complaint by calling 916-875-5656 or online at www.code-enforcement.saccounty.net.
Homeowners: Contact a private company to handle rats and mice infestation. More information is on the University of California, Agricultural and Natural Resources website at http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/QT/ratscard.html.
Problems with wildlife such as skunks and bats, contact the County Agricultural Commission at http://www.agcomm.saccounty.net/wildlifeservices/default.htm.
Neighbors: First, 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, contact the County by calling 916-875-5656 Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. or report an issue online:
http://www.msa.saccounty.net/communityhazards/report.htm
Annie Parker