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STATE OF CALIFORNIA—HEALTH AND WELFARE AGENCY GEORGE DEUKMEJIAN, Governor DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES 714/744 P STREET _ ^xs SACRAMENTO, CA 95814 December 19, 1986 Daniel Guerra, R.S. _ San Joaquin Local Health District �31?—_7 0,`6y Environmental Health Division 300 West Oak Lodi, CA 95240 Dear Dan: Re: Vector Potential at an Old Grapevine Stockpile This is a summary of my observations and conclusions concerning an 8-acre field on which are stored large stockpiles of old bulldozed grapevines. The field is located just east of Lodi on the north side of East Pine Street, a short distance west of Curry Road. It is leased and the stockpiles belong to Wildwood Manufacturing Corporation, Lodi; the grapevine wood is intended to be used for furniture manufacturing. I inspected this site with you on Monday, December 14, 1986. Ordinarily, an accumulation of wood such as this should present little potential for vector production. It is a potential source of harborage for rodents, but in the absence of food and water, no significant rodent infestation would be expected. This is not the case at the East Pine Street site, however. Observations: The site is not fenced. Unauthorized dumping of household garbage has occurred along the east and north sides of the stockpile. Household garbage was found even inside one of three abandoned and stripped vehicles on the north side. Volunteer squash have grown among the stockpiles. Unpicked grapes and volunteer squash were seen in fields immediately north and east of the stockpile, and more volunteer squash were seen in the field to the west. A vineyard mixed with cherry trees is across East Pine Street to the South, and pecans and oranges are also available in that direction. Many of these food sources, such as the squash, are also potential sources of moisture, especially sufficient for ground squirrels. Free water is a requirement for rats. Cans and other containers in the household garbage will collect rain water. There is also a borrow pit on adjacent property at the north side of the site that is holding water.