A new public-facing resource, Fresno Rodent Control, has officially launched to help Central Valley residents locate state-licensed pest control professionals with experience in rodent prevention, exclusion, and treatment. The website serves as a centralized tool for individuals, property owners, and business operators navigating the complexities of rodent infestations across the Fresno region.
Developed in response to rising reports of rodent activity in urban and suburban neighborhoods, the site provides a curated directory of qualified pest control providers, as well as technical resources focused on managing rodents in Fresno’s unique agricultural-urban interface.
“Fresno presents a distinct set of rodent control challenges due to its hot, dry summers, irrigation infrastructure, and proximity to farmland,” said Angela Watts, project coordinator for Fresno Rodent Control. “Our goal is to give the public a reliable, regulatory-compliant tool to identify service providers who understand those local factors and follow science-based control methods.”
Local Context: Rodent Activity in Fresno’s Built and Natural Environments
Fresno County is one of the nation’s most productive agricultural regions, but urban expansion, drought conditions, and changing waste management patterns have led to increased rodent sightings in residential zones. Common hotspots include the Tower District, Edison neighborhood, Lowell, and the downtown warehouse corridor, where aging buildings and improperly sealed structures provide frequent harborage opportunities.
Roof rats (Rattus rattus), Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus), and house mice (Mus musculus) are the most common species encountered in the region. Roof rats in particular are well-adapted to climbing and nesting in palm trees, attic insulation, and roof cavities — especially in older homes with wood shake roofing or minimal eave protection. Norway rats are often active around canal embankments, alleyways, and storm drains, taking advantage of broken sewer lines and irrigation systems.
Rodent activity tends to spike during extreme weather transitions — particularly in the late summer and early fall — when rodents seek indoor shelter, moisture, and food.
Technical Approach: How Rodent Management Works
The Fresno Rodent Control site emphasizes providers that follow Integrated Pest Management (IPM) principles — a multi-step process that reduces pest pressure while minimizing environmental and health impacts. Providers listed on the platform must hold a valid license through the California Structural Pest Control Board and demonstrate experience with rodent-specific control.
IPM-based rodent control in Fresno typically includes:
Inspection and Monitoring: Technicians inspect crawl spaces, attics, subfloors, and utility entry points to identify signs of nesting, droppings, gnaw marks, and rub trails. Infrared cameras and rodent tracking powders may be used in large or commercial properties.
Exclusion and Structural Repair: Access points such as vent gaps, conduit penetrations, and foundation cracks are sealed using hardware cloth, copper mesh, concrete patch, or rodent-proof sealant. Airflow is preserved using rodent-resistant vent covers.
Habitat Modification: Landscape adjustments are made to remove dense vegetation, trim overhanging branches (especially citrus or fig trees), and eliminate standing water from irrigation leaks or ornamental features.
Targeted Control Measures: Snap traps and tamper-resistant bait stations are strategically placed in areas of active rodent traffic. In high-risk areas, anticoagulant baits may be used in compliance with California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) guidelines. Second-generation rodenticides are avoided near wildlife corridors in accordance with AB 1788.
Follow-up and Prevention: Providers often conduct post-treatment monitoring to ensure population reduction, combined with homeowner education on waste storage, pet food handling, and seasonal risk factors.
Watts noted that common attractants in the Fresno area include unsecured trash bins, open compost piles, backyard chicken feed, and improperly stored produce in garages and pantries — especially during peak harvest months.
Public Access and Community Use
The Fresno Rodent Control website is free to use and available at https://fresnorodentcontrol.com. It includes:
A searchable directory of state-licensed providers operating in Fresno County
Clear definitions of rodent species common to the Central Valley
Detailed guides on identifying infestation signs and exclusion best practices
Compliance information relevant to landlords, HOAs, and commercial property managers
Downloadable PDFs tailored for multi-family housing, urban gardens, and food storage facilities
The site does not accept paid listings. Companies are added based on verified licensing, insurance, and a demonstrated focus on rodent-specific services.
“Fresno residents deserve clear, non-commercial access to professional help, especially in a region where urban development is happening alongside historic irrigation and farming systems,” said Watts. “This tool is designed to meet that need.”
Future updates to the platform will include data visualizations of seasonal rodent trends by ZIP code, guidance for pest control during drought years, and translated educational materials for Spanish- and Hmong-speaking communities.
Media ContactCompany Name: Fresno Rodent ControlContact Person: Angela WattsEmail: Send EmailPhone: (559) 384-6397Address:245 M St City: FresnoState: CaliforniaCountry: United StatesWebsite: https://fresnorodentcontrol.com/
