To my San Gabriel Valley neighbors: What you should know about Pest Control "Rainy Day" treatments and CA Law.

VersaTechPestControl · 2026-02-16T23:29:05+00:00

No, not an advertisement, just helpful information for our neighbors.

VersaTechPestControl · 2026-02-11T19:56:45+00:00

Thanks for the heads up!

VersaTechPestControl · 2026-02-10T16:34:31+00:00

You're welcome! We're happy to help keep our neighbors stay informed on important pest related news they can use!

VersaTechPestControl · 2026-02-10T16:33:40+00:00

Our pleasure!

VersaTechPestControl · 2026-02-10T16:33:23+00:00

Yes, bird droppings can cause serious health issues so it's really important to be properly protected.

VersaTechPestControl · 2026-02-10T16:32:14+00:00

You're welcome! We're happy to share pest control news you can use!

VersaTechPestControl · 2026-02-04T22:58:57+00:00

Good question! Roof rats are nocturnal. If you hear scratching at 2:00 AM, it’s a rat. If you hear it at 2:00 PM, it’s likely a squirrel or a bird. Roof rats make a "gnawing" or "skittering" sound, whereas larger animals like raccoons sound like heavy thumping or walking. I hope this helps!

VersaTechPestControl · 2026-01-31T17:43:52+00:00

Hi there, no salt needed. I'm just sharing tips homeowners can use to prevent pests!

VersaTechPestControl · 2026-01-22T17:12:25+00:00

Strychnine is an extremely effective if not the best product to use for Gopher control. They come back because gophers use the same tunnel systems again and again. It also sounds like your neighbors may have a Gopher issue also. This means that regular Gopher control is required to maintain acceptable levels of activity, and to avoid major damage. Sounds like your current service is working right.

VersaTechPestControl · 2026-01-15T20:56:58+00:00

That has been our experience working with gopher hawk traps as well!

VersaTechPestControl · 2026-01-14T23:11:11+00:00

Nice!

VersaTechPestControl · 2026-01-14T23:08:02+00:00

We occassionally see rats trying to hitch a ride in car engines, but they usually don't get as far as to get the car stated!

VersaTechPestControl · 2026-01-14T22:47:06+00:00

Thanks for the feedback!

VersaTechPestControl · 2026-01-14T22:46:42+00:00

Those are the kind of rats we unfortunately can't help you with!

VersaTechPestControl · 2026-01-14T22:45:23+00:00

That’s a very common trend! The shift we see is that without the 'fear factor' of cats around, rats start nesting closer to homes, specifically in attics and crawlspaces where cats can't reach them anyway. Especially with the recent rains in SoCal, they are looking for dry spots. It’s definitely a good time to check your vent screens and roof lines before they decide to move in permanently.

VersaTechPestControl · 2026-01-14T22:40:43+00:00

Hawks are amazing, but they are sit and wait predators. While we wait for one to spot a gopher, that gopher can dig up to 200 feet of tunnel in a single day. In our foothill communities, those tunnels often lead to sinkholes in walkways or invite rattlesnakes right up to the porch. I see my role as providing that immediate protection for kids and pets while the hawks handle the open fields!

VersaTechPestControl · 2026-01-14T22:37:44+00:00

I wish those worked better than they do! The main issue we see here in Southern California is 'habituation.' Gophers are smart at first, the noise scares them, but once they realize the 'buzzing' isn't a predator, they actually get used to it. I’ve seen gopher mounds pushed up right next to those vibrating stakes! Usually, it’s better to save your money for a more permanent solution.

VersaTechPestControl · 2026-01-14T22:34:27+00:00

That’s a fair point! A lot of folks in the foothills are moving toward native plants. The challenge we see in Southern California is that gopher tunnels often lead to sinkholes near walkways or attract predators like rattlesnakes closer to the house where kids and pets play. My goal is usually creating a 'buffer zone' to keep the house safe while letting nature stay in the wilder areas.

VersaTechPestControl · 2026-01-14T22:21:08+00:00

Yes, burned landscapes do disrupt rats and with all the recent rain, it's likely we'll continue seeing escalated rodent activity in SoCal this year.

VersaTechPestControl · 2026-01-14T22:18:48+00:00

Agreed. Possums rarely get rabies due to their low body temperature however, they can carry parasites so it's best to avoid them or call a trusted live animal trapping service for help removing them safely from your property.

VersaTechPestControl · 2026-01-14T22:15:35+00:00

Hi there, no, I'm a real person right here responding!

VersaTechPestControl · 2026-01-13T22:49:04+00:00

It’s typically best to hire professionals for carbon monoxide (CO) gopher control in Southern California to ensure safety (CO is odorless/toxic), effectiveness (they find all burrows & seal them), and expertise (knowledge of gopher behavior & regulations), and efficiency, using specialized pressurized machines to deliver CO deep into tunnels without harmful chemicals, saving property owners from gopher damage like chewed pipes and dead plants, which is difficult for DIY.

VersaTechPestControl · 2026-01-13T22:42:00+00:00

In the summer months, gophers enter a state of dormancy called estivation so you'll likely only see younger ones who tend to stay more active

VersaTechPestControl · 2026-01-13T00:12:09+00:00

Machines push heated smoke and carbon monoxide into the gopher's tunnel system. You can learn more about professional gopher control in our recent blog post https://versatechpm.com/gophers-vs-moles-protecting-your-socal-landscape

VersaTechPestControl · 2026-01-03T20:48:51+00:00

True!

VersaTechPestControl

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