Foster City will poison squirrels

Squirrels that can carry the bubonic plague are burrowing into Foster City levees, leaving the city no other choice but to poison them — at least according to the Department of Public Works.

Since 1999, the ground squirrel population in Foster City has steadily increased, according to a report to the City Council written by Public Works Director Ray Towne. They are burrowing their homes in Foster City levees faster than public works crews can fill them and the structural risk they pose to the levees and the chances of spreading disease to humans is a health and safety risk the city is addressing by companies to bid on getting a contract to poison the squirrels.

A 5-0 vote last night solidified the deal. The city hopes to begin the process of eradicating the squirrels early next year, Towne said.

The eradication may be cruel to squirrel lovers, but simple for those thinking of the harm they create. Tiny blue poisonous pellets will be spread around the squirrel burrows. The squirrels will eat the pellets, get sleepy and — in theory — go back into their burrows to die. The city will monitor areas around the burrows to make sure squirrel carcasses are not present. If they are, the company the city contracts with will have 72 hours to remove the dead squirrels, according to last night’s report to the City Council.

The city also considered live trapping the squirrels. However, the city determined that the area was too large for live trapping to be effective.

The poison poses little harm to people and pets, according to the report. The blue color makes it clear to identify and a 40-pound dog would need to consume five pounds of bait to receive a lethal dose. The poison is also counteracted by Vitamin K-1, according to the report.

In 1999, the San Mateo County Department of Environmental Health Services conducted a survey of the area and discovered a dense infestation the ground squirrel and recommended the city implement a vector control program. The city has monitored the problem since 1999 and there was no decrease in the population, according to the report.

Squirrels are associated with the spread of bubonic plague in California. The plague is transmitted to humans by fleas carried by an infected animal. The county’s Department of Environmental Health Services reports few known cases of bubonic plague spread by ground squirrels and none were in Foster City, according to the report.

Dana Yates can be reached by e-mail: dana@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 106.