Huge Rat Infestation at Sacramento Home Spreads to Neighbors

A neighborhood in Sacramento County, California, is dealing with a serious rat problem. A home near Lambay Way is overrun with rodents, and the rats are spreading to nearby houses. Neighbors are asking county officials to step in and fix the problem before it gets even worse.

Augusto Pineda bought his home in the Vintage Meadows area about a year ago. He did not know he would spend most of that year fighting rats. The rodents come from the property right next door, and Pineda says they have made his life very difficult.

Pineda has tried hard to get rid of the rats on his own. He removed bushes, trees, and other plants that might attract them. He set traps and tried to fill in the holes the rats dug in his yard. Still, the rats keep coming back in large numbers.

The damage to his property has been serious. His backyard fence has been chewed apart by rodents. He says he cannot even spend time in his own backyard anymore. "I want to come outside. I want to be able to throw a ball. I want to be able to sunbathe, and I can't," Pineda said.

From his backyard, Pineda can see rats climbing through his neighbor's trees, up to the roof, and into the home. He says he has seen at least 100 rats at one time — on the ground, on the fence, and in the trees. He believes there are at least 1,000 rats living in the area, and they are spreading to other streets.

Neighbors who live four houses away have also reported problems. They told CBS News Sacramento that they have found dead rats in their backyard. They have also seen rats running out from under cars parked in their driveway. The infestation is clearly growing beyond just one or two homes.

On a recent Friday, a reporter watched rats run back and forth between parked cars and the roof of the problem home. The rodents were getting inside through holes that could be seen in the roof. At times, several rats were visible through a window of the home.

Sacramento County officials confirmed there is an open code enforcement case at the property. The case is about overgrown grass and plants on the lot. The Sheriff's office sent deputies to check on the homeowner that Friday, but no one was home. The homeowner did not respond to questions from CBS News Sacramento.

Pineda says he went to the media as a last resort. He has reported the problem to the county multiple times, but the situation has not improved. He believes the rats are not just a nuisance — they are a real health hazard to the entire neighborhood.