Rat Infestation Costs California Almond Growers Millions

Rats harm trees by consuming nuts, girdling branches, and burrowing in the roots. They also damage irrigation systems and agricultural equipment.

Irrigation line damage from rats. Image courtesy of the Almond Board of California

A rodent crisis is spreading across the agricultural land of California’s Central Valley.

Almond growers across Merced, Fresno, Kings, and Kern counties are seeing an especially severe roof rat problem, causing over 100,000 acres of damage and millions of dollars in economic losses.