"They're Everywhere": How California's Rodent Crisis and Tougher Laws Demand a New Approach

The latest news from the Central Valley is grim. As reported by Lucy Hodgman on October 4, 2025, the rodent boom is overwhelming California farms, racking up an estimated $300 million in damage to almond orchards alone. The infestation—driven by roof rats, tree squirrels, and ground squirrels—is relentless, forcing farmers into what Ryan Jacobsen calls a battle they must be "constantly on top of."

But the real crisis isn't just the sheer number of pests; it’s the regulatory gridlock.

The Problem: When Traditional Tools Fail

The story highlights a critical and growing pain point for growers: regulatory confusion and restriction.

• Poison Bans: Recent state regulations have banned certain "blood-thinning" rodenticides, a positive move for wildlife but one that removes a traditional—if slow and painful—option for farmers.

• Permit Headaches: New, restrictive licensing for other tools, like airborne fumigants, has caught growers "off guard," according to UC Davis specialist Roger A. Baldwin.

• The Result: Farmers hesitate to act, afraid of breaking new laws, and the problem spirals. As Palla notes, "It gets out of control."

The financial and physical toll is immense. Rodents are chewing through new drip lines in less than 24 hours, forcing Jacobsen to spend "eight to ten times" more on maintenance. Farmers are stuck in a devastating cycle: high damage, high labor, and dwindling legal options.

The Solution: Automated, Non-Toxic Rodent Control from AutomaticTrap.com

The unsustainable situation—massive infestation coupled with regulatory pressure—demands innovation. At AutomaticTrap, we developed our products to be powerful, require minimal labor, and be completely compliant with non-toxic mandates. Our focus is on providing a smarter defense line for agriculture.

Our Non-Toxic, Automated Arsenal for the Central Valley

The rodent problem is multi-species, and so is our solution. We offer distinct, automated traps designed to target the specific rodents destroying crops and infrastructure across the state:

1. For the Roof Rats Plaguing Orchards: The A24 Rat and Mouse Trap

Roof rats are a main culprit in the almond damage. Our A24 Rat and Mouse Trap is the ideal solution for constant, compliant control in orchard environments.

• Continuous Control: The A24 automatically resets after every strike, powered by a CO2 canister that provides up to 24 kills before you need to touch it. This multi-kill capability is critical for keeping pace with the rapid reproduction rates of these pests.

• Non-Toxic: The A24 uses a non-toxic paste, eliminating the risk of secondary poisoning to valuable wildlife like raptors, which are naturally part of the farm ecosystem.

• Minimal Maintenance: We supply an Automatic Paste Pump that keeps the lure fresh for up to six months, dramatically reducing the labor spent on checking and re-baiting.

2. For the Destructive Tree Squirrels: The A18 Squirrel Trap

Tree squirrels, like those devastating Ryan Jacobsen's farm, require a robust aerial solution. Our A18 Squirrel Trap is specifically designed for this tenacious pest.

• Targeted & Multi-Kill: The A18 is CO2-powered and delivers up to 18 consecutive, instant, and humane strikes per cartridge. You can install our traps directly on trees or fence posts where squirrels travel, providing a constant, ready-to-fire defense.

• Customizable Lure: The A18 features a DIY lure basket, giving you the flexibility to use the most effective attractant for the specific squirrel species and seasonal diet changes in your fields.

3. For the Burrowing Ground Squirrels: The TerraTrap Ground Squirrel Kit

Ground squirrels create burrows that damage soil and concrete. Our TerraTrap Ground Squirrel Kit is a purpose-built, highly discreet solution for this ground-dwelling threat.

• Mimics Natural Den: The TerraTrap is a durable, camouflaged system that mimics the natural dens of California Ground Squirrels. This design encourages the notoriously timid pests to enter, dramatically increasing trapping success.

• A18 Integration: The system houses the self-resetting A18 trap, delivering the same humane, continuous control power underground.

• Zero-Labor Cleanup: The design allows the dispatched squirrel to be released and easily scavenged by local wildlife. This natural process eliminates the manual, messy cleanup labor that is a major burden for farm crews.

We believe the future of agricultural rodent control lies in technology that minimizes labor, maximizes kill rates, and strictly avoids toxins. At AutomaticTrap, our automated products provide the efficient, effective, and compliant solution California's farmers need to take back control of their fields.