Rats.
To some they are furry creatures you might find in a pet store.
To others, they are the vermin lurking beyond the back deck, a prolific fiend that spread the black plague through Europe in the midst of the Dark Ages.
For the rest, the truth lies somewhere between the two extremes. However, they are the latest problem identified by the Rossmoor Predator Management Team, a group of residents in the unincorporated area that has been battling what seems to be a spike in recent years in the abundance of coyotes that have become used to wandering the neighborhood and have been blamed for killing many household pets, mostly cats and dogs.
The RPMT is concerned that both coyote and rat problems will get worse when the I-405/605 connector to is built by CalTrans. With the vegetation cover removed and their homes disturbed, the animals may have no alternative but to flood further into Rossmoor.
The RPMT has been active in making the Rossmoor community and Orange County Supervisor John Moorlach, state Sen. Tom Harman, Rep. Ed Royce and Assemblyman Jim Silva aware of coyote activity on the CalTrans property. The property is behind Martha Ann Drive and the north bound 605 Freeway.
“We have had 30 killings of pets due to coyotes residing on this property,” said Rebecca Lara of the RPMT. “We are taking steps to resolve the coyote issue. However, we are now facing the issue of rats that reside on this property with the possibility of entering residents’ homes on Martha Ann.”
Lara and her husband Dave are two of the key members of the RPMT. They asked Orange County Vector Control to remove the rats from the CalTrans property before the construction would begin.
As we are both aware, rats carry a multitude of diseases and cause damage to residential homes. “Supervisor Moorlach has advised Rossmoor residents of the high probability that rats will be infesting our community with the upcoming construction,” Rebecca Lara related to Orange County Vector Control.
The team received some encouraging words from Orange County Vector Control.
“We have recently become aware of the situation and have been developing a plan that will not only eliminate the rat population that is being supported on CalTrans property, but will minimize the migration of those rats to the surrounding community,” said Michael G. Hearst, District Manager of Orange County Vector Control.
Hearst said the vegetated freeway right-of-way on the CalTrans property near Rossmoor has been heavily baited to reduce the rat population before work on the project starts
Meanwhile, Vector Control staff notified homeowners going door to door and leaving printed materials on the problem of rat infestation
A total of 35 residents were home during the process and they invited Vector Control Inspectors to survey their property for rats.
The RPMT is also concerned about a possible spike in coyotes encroaching on the neighborhood due to the CalTrans project.
According to Rebecca Lara, the Rossmoor Predator Management Team is requesting that starting on Monday, Jan. 17, when Cal Trans will begin clearing the vegetation behind Martha Ann, Rossmoor residents be extremely vigil in supervising their children and pets.
Meanwhile, the Rossmoor Homeowners’ Association has been unable to enter into a contract with a trapper.
“In speaking with Captain Sforza of the Department of Fish & Game, he has informed RPMT that he is unaware of his department taking any action regarding coyote deterrence at the time of the vegetation clearing,” Rebecca Lara said.
Some fact about rats:
• Wild rats originated in Asia and reached other parts of the world mostly onboard ships.
• These mammals are a part of the rodent family and are scientifically known as Rattus norvegicus.
• They have pointed noses and hairless feet.
• These rodents live in burrows that are situated near their favourite source of water and food.
• for wild rats begin when they are about 3 to 4 months of age with the gestation period lasting for about 21 to 22 days. Within this span the female rat is able to produce up to seven litters per year with each litter consisting of about 6 to 22 young ones.
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• Wild rats are able to burrow, climb, jump and gnaw. This ability along with the highly sophisticated senses that they possess helps them gain access to a variety of places.
• These mammals are adaptable, aggressive and active.
• Society does not accept wild rats because they spread diseases, contaminate food and damage structures too. Their gnawing ability can cause damage to buildings, wiring systems and pipe work. Apart from this, these mammals also carry diseases like the plague, Weil’s disease, toxoplasmosis and salmonella food poisoning, all of which are potentially fatal to man.
• Wild rats are of two types – the roof or black rat and the brown or Norway rat. The distinguishing feature of the black rat is that it has a tail that is longer than its body. This rat is about 8 inches long. The brown rat is about 10 inches long and has a tail that is shorter than the rest of its body. The types of rats mentioned above also differ in their food preferences, habits and region.
