Rats! State's almond orchards are infested

Almond growers across Central California say they are battling a surging rat infestation across more than 100,000 acres of orchards, resulting in economic hardship and damage.

- SUMMER LIN AND NATHAN SOLIS

LOSSES from rodents total as much as $311 million in California, a survey found.

Across Fresno, Merced, Kings and Kern counties, almond farmers have reported an increase in rodent populations as the animals use irrigation canals and other waterways to spread across agricultural fields and orchards, according to a newsletter from the Almond Board of California.

The effect could be significant as California is home to 80% of the world’s almond production. The Golden State’s almonds were once the top export to China but retaliatory tariffs have resulted in China looking for almonds from other nations instead.

The newsletter doesn’t say what kind of effect the infestation could have on almond prices for consumers in California or the U.S.

Roof rats usually spend their lives above ground but have been burrowing under almond and other nut trees due to the absence of cover during the cold winter months, according to the newsletter.

A California Department of Food and Agriculture survey conducted last fall revealed that up to 32 rats were captured per night at some almond orchards, where they damaged trees by burrowing in the root zone, consuming nuts and disrupting the tree's vascular system. Rodents also damage irrigation equipment and other infrastructure in the orchards.