We hear a lot about rodents and the damage they do to our homes and gardens, and most of it is the destruction of plants or food. The key feature that puts animals into the rodent family of mammals is its single pair of constantly growing front teeth in both the upper and lower jaws used for gnawing. According to the Merriam-Webster Definition, these sharp, chisel-shaped incisors never stop growing, requiring the animals to chew constantly to keep them worn down. Some familiar members of this group of animals include squirrels, beavers, and porcupines, mice, rats, gophers, rabbits, even hamsters and guinea pigs.
For us in Marin, the three main rodent pests are rats, gophers, and squirrels, all doing different types of damage that require different management.
Rats – There are two main types: roof rats are highly agile, excellent climbers that frequently nest above ground in dense trees or ivy. They are notorious for stripping fruit trees and eating chunks out of ripening tomatoes and edible crops. Norway rats dig burrows down in the soil, woodpiles, or under concrete slabs. They target vegetable roots, lower-hanging crops, and fallen fruit. Click here to learn about how to manage rats.
Gophers are highly destructive, subterranean rodents that tunnel underneath lawns and garden beds, leaving signature crescent-shaped dirt mounds behind. Gophers will feed on plant roots from below, causing mature shrubs, flowers, and vegetable crops to suddenly wilt or be pulled entirely underground. Click here to learn about how to manage gophers.
Tree squirrels are active during the day, stealing ripening fruit, digging up freshly planted bulbs, and chewing on wood infrastructure. Click here to learn about how to manage tree squirrels.