Rats Trash Homeless Downtown Los Angeles Skid Row Encampments

Rats Trash Homeless Downtown Los Angeles Skid Row Encampments, Lets Walk thru some of the worse areas of Los Angeles. When you hit rock bottom we come here to Skid Row so whether its lost homes divorce or you were let out of Jail this is the last stop, free meals no rent and friendship you will find it here but be careful because when night falls those same friends turn on you as this is survival of the fit. Only the strong survive here. Rats and Trash bring Plague so be careful if you decide to call this home.
🐀 *Rats in Los Angeles (2025 Update): A Growing Urban Challenge*

Los Angeles has become a hotspot for rodent activity, ranking **#2 on Orkin’s “Rattiest Cities” list**—just behind Chicago. Here's what’s driving the surge and what it means for residents:

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🌡️ *Why Are Rats Thriving?*
**Warmer Winters**: Milder seasons mean rats stay active and breed year-round.
**Urban Density**: Overflowing trash bins, illegal dumping, and dense housing provide food and shelter.
**Rodenticide Restrictions**: California’s new laws (AB 2552, AB 1322) limit the use of traditional poisons, shifting control methods toward trapping and sanitation.

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🧫 *Health & Safety Risks*
**Flea-borne Typhus**: Still reported in LA County—spread by fleas carried by rats.
**Property Damage**: Rats chew wires, contaminate food, and destroy insulation.
**Fire Hazards**: Gnawed electrical wiring can spark fires in homes and businesses.

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🏠 *Where They Hide*
**Roof Rats**: Found in palm trees, attics, and eaves.
**Norway Rats**: Prefer sewers, crawl spaces, and ground burrows near food sources.

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🧹 *What Can Be Done*
**Sanitation First**: Clean up trash, seal food, and report illegal dumping via [MyLA311](https://myla311.lacity.gov).
**Inspection & Exclusion**: Seal entry points and remove nesting areas.
**Trapping Over Poison**: Due to new laws, compliant trapping is now the go-to method.

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Los Angeles isn’t alone—San Francisco and other California cities are seeing similar rodent spikes. If you’d like tips for prevention or want to explore how other cities are handling infestations, I’ve got plenty to share.

🦠 *Bubonic Plague in Los Angeles: Rare but Not Gone*

While the term “plague” conjures medieval horror, **bubonic plague still exists**—and Los Angeles has a historical and ecological connection to it.

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🕰️ *Historical Context*
The *last urban plague epidemic in the U.S.* occurred in **Los Angeles from 1924 to 1925**, spread by rats arriving on ships.
Since then, plague has shifted from urban rats to **rural rodent populations**, becoming endemic in parts of the western U.S..

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🧫 *Recent Case in California (2025)*
A *South Lake Tahoe resident* was diagnosed with plague after being bitten by an infected flea while camping.
The individual is recovering at home, and health officials are monitoring the situation.
This marks the **first human case in that county since 2020**, but it’s not in Los Angeles proper.
🐀 *How It Spreads*
Caused by *Yersinia pestis*, the plague is transmitted via:
Flea bites from infected rodents (squirrels, chipmunks, rats)
Contact with infected animal tissue
In rare cases, respiratory droplets from pneumonic plague
⚠️ *Symptoms & Treatment*
**Bubonic plague**: Fever, chills, weakness, and painful swollen lymph nodes.
*Septicemic & pneumonic forms* are more severe and can be fatal without treatment.
*Antibiotics* are effective if administered early.
🧍‍♂️ *Risk in LA Today*
While **no recent cases have been reported in Los Angeles**, the region’s rodent population and flea-borne illnesses (like typhus) mean **vigilance is key**.
The CDC reports *about 7 human plague cases annually* in the U.S., mostly in rural western states.
If you’re curious about how LA monitors rodent-borne diseases or want to explore the eerie history of the 1920s outbreak, I can dig deeper.
2.2 Billion Dollars is missing intended for the Homeless where did it go we will soon find out.
💰 **Skid Row Funding in 2025: Where It’s Coming From & Where It’s G
*Infrastructure & Redevelopment*
Rehabilitation of aging buildings (though many were sold or transferred after the Trust’s bankruptcy)
Focus on newer, financially viable PSH models

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📉 Impact So Far
Skid Row saw a *14% drop in homelessness* and a *22% drop in unsheltered homelessness* in 2024
The funding has helped stabilize thousands of lives, though challenges remain in maintaining long-term housing viability
If you want to explore how this funding compares to other cities or dive into the economics behind permanent supportive housing, I can walk you through it.