COMMON VERTEBRATE VECTORS

Photo by Jared Belson

RODENTS

Rodents

CHARACTERISTICS

Many rodents are small, but the size varies depending on the species
Have enlarged, chisel-shaped upper and lower front incisors that grow throughout their lives
Hard enamel on the front surface and soft dentine on the back surface of teeth, making the chisel edge sharp
Gap between the front teeth and the cheek teeth
Rodents have fur
Have either a long, skinny tail or a very small, not visible tail
Nocturnal

DIET

Plants
Vegetables
Fruits
Grass
Nuts and seeds
Insects
Meat
Meal preference depends on the species of the rodent

DAMAGE

Damages food and other goods
Established vectors because of their ability to carry viruses and bacteria in their systems and are known to carry and transmit disease
Ability to carry many different pathogens that transmit diseases including: plague, rat bite fever, cryptosporidiosis, hantavirus, Q-fever, and much more
Different species of rodents host different pathogens

CONTROL

Some pathogens can be transmitted through inhalation of contaminated feces, urine, or saliva from infected rodents
Do not stir up dust by sweeping or vacuuming up nesting materials, droppings, or urine
Wear rubber, vinyl, or latex gloves when handling rodents and their matters
Spray area with either a disinfectant or a mixture of 1 part bleach to 10 parts water and let contaminated area soak for 5 minutes
Use a paper towel to pick up disinfected droppings, urine, and nesting
Immediately dispose all matter in the garbage
When all rodent droppings and urine have been removed, disinfect all possible contaminated items
Traps may also be set to capture any possible rats or mice

OPOSSUMS

Opossums

CHARACTERISTICS

Opossums are marsupial mammals
The female has a pouch, an elongated snout and a pink nose
Black eyes and ears
A long tail
Grey to black fur
A defined sagittal crest, meaning they have exceptionally strong jaw muscles
Consume both plants and animals
Immune to snake venom

HABITAT

Their habitats range from moist to dry climates
Their environment can be anything from woodsy to open fields; however, they prefer to be by swamps or streams
Opossums usually take up occupancy in the burrows of other animals, tree cavities, or brush piles as well as attics and garages
They can be seen on both tree limbs as well as on the ground

DIET

All green and yellow vegetables
Grasses
Most types of fruit
People food
Snails, slugs, and earthworms of all types
Insects, flies, roaches, etc.
Rats and mice
Snakes
Amphibians
Ground eggs
Crayfish and other fish
Certain types of dog and cat food
Dead animals
Small birds
Opossums consume almost anything they can find!

CONTROL

Laws protecting opossums vary from state to state
It is advisable to contact your local wildlife authorities before removing nuisance animals
Traps may be available at your local animal control agency

SKUNKS

Skunk

CHARACTERISTICS

Can weigh up to 14 lbs., depending on species
Length approximately between 33-46 cm (13-18 in) excluding the tail, which is another 18-25 cm (7-10 in)
Triangular heads
Large, bushy tails
Black fur with white stripes
Ability to secrete a liquid with a strong, foul odor when threatened
Before spraying, the skunk will give several warnings with its final warning standing on its front legs and its hind quarters in the air
If intruder does not back off, the skunk will proceed to squeeze its two anal glands together to secret the pungent scent against its threat

HABITAT

Skunks can be found in both rural and urban areas
Anywhere where water sources can be within 2 miles
Usually stay in range from their dens
Requires an ample supply of food and cover
Can adapt to many different habitats such as woods, grasslands, brush, open prairies, and developed areas

DIET

Skunks are omnivorous, eating both plant and animal material, and their diets change as the seasons change
Insects and larvae
Earthworms
Grubs
Small rodents
Lizards, salamanders, and frogs
Snakes
Birds
Moles
Eggs
Berries and nuts
Roots, leaves, and grasses
Fungi
Human garbage

CONTROL

Skunks can be infested with ticks, fleas, lice, and mites, and are known to transmit diseases such as rabies, canine distemper, roundworm, leptospirosis, histoplasmosis, tularemia, Q-fever, trypanosoma, salmonella, mange, distemper, listeriosis, and canine hepatitis among other transmitted diseases
Poisoning skunks is prohibited
California Department of Fish and Wildlife approval is required before trapping and relocating any wild animal
If you have a problem with these animals, call animal control or Ca Dept. of Fish and Wildlife for assistance
Once the animal is removed, flea control measures may be required to prevent infestations

Flea-Borne Typhus

Flea-borne typhus is a bacterial disease found in Infected fleas and their excrement (called flea dirt)

Cat Fleas - Commonly Encountered in Urban Areas

The cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis) regularly infests domestic cats and dogs, and backyard wildlife such as coyotes, opossums, skunks, and raccoons. The cat flea can transmit infectious agents that cause the disease flea-borne typhus. Up to 80% or more of feral cats are infested with flea eggs or adult fleas.

Flea-borne typhus is only contracted through fleas (not person to person) and can be prevented by treating cats for fleas and ceasing feral cat feeding (which also attracts other wildlife with fleas that vector flea-borne typhus). Fleas are also known to transmit other diseases and parasites including tapeworm, Bartonella, Rickettsia, and Coxiella.

Signs and Symptoms

Infection occurs when flea dirt is scrached into the skin.

Symptoms of murine typhus begin within 3-14 days after contact with infected fleas or flea dirt. However, people often do not know they have been bitten by a flea or exposed to flea dirt.

Risk factors include time spent outdoors or contact with particular animals, especially rats, opossums, or free-roaming cats.
-www.cdc.gov

District Guidelines

The District has adopted guidelines for caring for community cats and protecting domestic pets and neighbors

Click image to download

Best management practices for feral cats

More Typhus Information

Los Angeles County 2015 Typhus Outbreak

Challenges of Responding to Flea-borne Typhus Cases