Stanislaus County Municipal Code Ch. 9.46 Vertebrate Pest Control

In California, vertebrate pests such as ground squirrels, gophers, and meadow mice cause millions of dollars damage to crops annually as well as damage crop production equipment. Some vertebrate pests carry diseases that are transmissible and injurious to humans.

Stanislaus County recognizes the department of agriculture's historic role of providing vertebrate pests control materials to the agricultural community and cooperating with local and state agencies to mitigate vertebrate pest complaints. Because of this, the department is designated as the lead county agency in vertebrate pest control.

(Ord. CS 989 §3, 2007)

California Food and Agricultural Code (FAC) Section 5101 designates the county agricultural commissioner ("commissioner"), under the supervision of the director, to be an enforcing officer of all laws and regulations that relate to the prevention of the introduction into, or the spread within, the state of pests.

FAC Section 6022 requires the commissioner to cooperate in suppressing field rodents and insects, or other associated vectors of rodent-borne diseases transmissible and injurious to humans.

FAC Section 6024 provides that the commissioner may perform any act, which he or she deems necessary for the purpose of suppressing, destroying, or repelling the rodents or insects, or other associated vectors. Such acts would include selling bait.

(Ord. CS 989 §3, 2007)

For purposes of this chapter:

A. "Poison" means any economic poison used for vertebrate pest control.

B. "Vertebrate pest" means ground squirrels, meadow mice, jackrabbits, or other non-protected vertebrate pest that causes damage to agricultural, natural, or industrial resources, or to any other resource, and to the public health or safety.

C. "Vertebrate pest control material" or "rodent bait" means materials treated with poison used for rodent control.

(Ord. CS 989 §3, 2007)

Subject to applicable state laws, the agricultural commissioner is authorized to:

A. Sell vertebrate pest control materials to individuals that produce an agricultural commodity in Stanislaus County and possess a current pesticide permit or operator identification number from the county department of agriculture.

B. Require individuals who purchase rodent bait to sign a statement releasing the county from liability that might ensue as the result of such operations. The bait will only be available in a minimum quantity of twenty-five pounds and is not intended for residential use.

C. Collect the surcharge established by the secretary of food and agriculture for each pound of rodent bait sold and forward the surcharge to the state as required to maintain the required product registration, and provide funds for research and the state's vertebrate pest program.

D. Prescribe and enforce conditions for the safe and effective use and storage of vertebrate pest control materials as may be deemed necessary.

E. Conduct vertebrate pest control operations when feasible and necessary for the protection of public health and agriculture within the county.

(Ord. CS 989 §3, 2007)

The rodent bait sales price shall be based on the total cost of the bait. The total cost includes the cost of the bait, indirect costs, overhead, maintenance costs, labor including educational outreach, and inspections associated with the sale of rodent baits. The rodent bait price shall be evaluated every two years and adjusted if necessary to be at or above the total cost of the bait effective July 1st of the year evaluated.

(Ord. CS 989 §3, 2007)