California’s almond industry, valued at $4.7 billion, is facing an unprecedented rat infestation, impacting over 100,000 acres and causing significant financial losses. According to rodent expert Roger Baldwin from the University of California-Davis, the sudden invasion has led to $109 million to $311 million in damages to equipment and crops over the past year.
The infestation, which began last fall, has surprised growers who are now seeking Baldwin’s expertise. The state produces 100% of the nation’s commercially grown almonds and accounts for more than 75% of global production. The majority of these almonds are grown in the Central Valley, which includes the San Joaquin and Sacramento Valleys.
Baldwin and others attribute the rat surge to several factors, including previously unplanted farmland due to drought, recent increased rainfall leading to more vegetation, and state pesticide restrictions. Rats, along with other pests like squirrels and deer mice, have been particularly destructive, gnawing on irrigation equipment, almond bark, and even electrical wires, sometimes causing fires.
Farmers have spent substantial amounts on pest control, with costs reaching thousands of dollars per acre. Methods like bait stations, snap traps, and owl boxes are being used, but they are costly and not entirely effective. Roger Isom, president of the Western Tree Nut Association, mentioned that the owl boxes show promise, but it remains uncertain how much damage can be limited.
As the almond harvest runs from August to mid-October, growers are hopeful that solutions will be found to prevent further damage. Baldwin is conducting seminars on pest management strategies, and the state is providing training for fumigation certification to help farmers combat this issue.
Recent Comments