UCCE Orange County Partners with Newport Exterminating to Resolve Mouse Infestation

Gary Hayakawa, veteran, and long-time advocate for University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE), faced a mouse infestation at his home. Since rodent management in urban environments poses significant risks to health and property, Niamh Quinn, human-wildlife interactions advisor and expert in vertebrate pest management, conducted a thorough inspection of Hayakawa's home and identified structural vulnerabilities that allowed rodent access.

Recognizing the need for specialized skills and materials, Niamh collaborated with other dedicated experts. 

Newport Exterminating, led by Dean Wiley, installed the exclusion materials at no cost to Hayakawa. The team worked diligently to ensure the home was effectively fortified against future rodent incursions. 

“Exclusion is such an important part of long-term success when it comes to mouse management. It's a more permanent solution that aligns with protecting California's natural resources and promoting healthy communities,” Quinn said, adding that her collaboration with Xcluder and Newport Exterminating is what made this a huge success.  

The intervention successfully resolved the mouse infestation at Hayakawa's home, showcasing the value of partnerships and expertise provided by UCCE. The collaboration not only solved an immediate problem but also demonstrated the importance of sustainable pest management practices, including structural exclusion, which reduces reliance on rodenticides.

“Partnering with Niamh and UCCE allowed us to make a real difference for Gary while supporting sustainable pest management. It's also part of our mission to give back to the community, including supporting veterans. This project reflects our commitment to serving others,” said Wiley, emphasizing that giving back to someone who served to protect his country was a “no brainer.”