California’s Central Valley is facing a serious threat, and it’s not drought, wildfire, or extreme weather … it’s rodents. Rodents are causing widespread destruction across San Joaquin County, putting crops, equipment, and farm infrastructure at risk. And the tools pest control operators need to stop them are increasingly out of reach.

According to Andrew Genasci, Executive Director of the San Joaquin County Farm Bureau, rodent problems have grown steadily worse. “Over the last couple of years, it’s slowly been picking up more and more,” he said. The wet winter of 2023 created ideal breeding conditions, following a devastating 2022 drought that forced many farmers to leave fields empty.

Now, just as crops like walnuts near harvest, farmers are finding themselves under attack. Rodents are chewing through irrigation lines, tearing into equipment, burrowing around roots, and even climbing into trees to destroy fruit.

Despite efforts to protect their crops, farmers remain frustrated. Many effective tools, especially rodenticides, have been banned or restricted.

“Rodenticides have been really in the crosshairs,” said Genasci. “They’ve removed a number of items we use to kill rodents or restricted their use.”

This is a dangerous situation. Pest control professionals, those trained to use these tools responsibly, are being asked to solve a growing problem without the full range of options. That not only risks food supply and farm revenue but also damages local ecosystems and infrastructure.

It’s time for a practical solution.

Pest control operators need access to the right tools to do their jobs safely and effectively. With proper oversight and training, rodenticides can be used in targeted, environmentally responsible ways that prevent infestations from getting out of control.

Without action, rodents won’t just damage crops; they’ll destroy the core of California’s farming economy.