Rats unwelcome guests in yards

“I smell a rat.”

— attributed to many

It is not only bargain hunters who are looking for property in Laguna Beach these days. Residents have inundated the Animal Shelter with reports of rat issues throughout town. And they’re not looking for an adoption agency for a homeless pet.

Construction sites and restaurants are often targeted as attracting pests due to waste issues. However, a staff member at the Animal Shelter said, “A lot of people have vegetable gardens in town. Rats like vegetables and fruits.”

Once rats have invaded your vegetable garden or landscaping, it is only a matter of time before they start visiting indoors. If any of the following have occurred, you may have rat problem potential or one in progress:

 Rat droppings around your pet’s dishes or food storage container.

 Drowned rat in your pool or spa.

 Burrows among plants or damaged vegetables in the garden.

 Remnants of rat nests in the firewood or behind boxes in the garage.

Both the roof rat and the Norway rat are found in Laguna, however the roof rat is more prevalent, as it prefers our temperate climate. Roof rats routinely travel up to 300 feet for food, and may live in the landscaping of one residence and feed at another.

While the most permanent form of control is to limit pet food and water outdoors, ongoing sanitation is essential: above ground storage of construction materials, gardening equipment and firewood will reduce shelter for rodents and make their detection easier.

Collect garbage and garden debris frequently and place in containers with tight-fitting covers.

Eliminating overgrown vegetation will reduce habitat. Climbers such as honeysuckle on fences or buildings should be thinned or removed, as should tree limbs within 3 feet of the roof. Maintain a separation of shrubs and buildings of a distance of 2 feet or more.

A number of lethal options are available to control rat populations: traps, glue boards, toxic bait and electrocution devices. High frequency and ultrasonic sound devices, repellents and the pet cat rarely limit rodent populations to acceptable levels. Orange County Vector Control, (714) 971-2421, can assist homeowners in dealing with rodent outbreaks.

It is fact that rats are among us in numbers this summer and are not welcome guests. Do your part and keep your garden tidy. See you next time.

STEVE KAWARATANI is happily married to award-winning writer Catharine Cooper, and has four dogs. He can be reached at (949) 497-8168, or e-mail to plantman2@mac.com.