INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT RODENTICIDE PILOT

About the Program

Category: County Resiliency (Best in Category)

Year: 2023

The County of San Diego Department of Agriculture, Weights and Measures (AWM) Integrated Pest Control (IPC) Program contributes to a safe and healthy work environment by providing structural pest control to County facilities. Our Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach manages and eradicates pests economically with the least possible hazard to people, property, and the environment. To continue evaluating current pest management practices, AWM assessed its use of anticoagulant rodenticides. IPC staff reviewed available literature and met with a University California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Human-Wildlife Interactions Advisor to develop an approach to using alternative rodenticides. In May 2022, AWM IPC started a 20-week pilot project to determine the efficacy of an alternative non-anticoagulant substitute to current rodenticide use. During this time IPC staff monitored rodent populations at three County facilities and data showed that an alternative called Selontra was effectively controlling rodent populations.