Ground squirrels are a common nuisance, often confused with tree squirrels or the entirely different pocket gopher. Unlike tree squirrels, which flee vertically, ground squirrels always dart into their open, round-holed burrows when startled. Distinguishing them is important, as ground squirrels cause damage by burrowing extensive tunnel systems that can undermine foundations and irrigation systems. Choosing non-poison control is a responsible approach, as rodenticides pose a significant risk of secondary poisoning to domestic pets, wildlife predators, and scavenger birds. Non-lethal methods focus on exclusion, active removal, and deterrence to safely resolve an infestation.
Modifying the Environment for Exclusion
The most effective long-term strategy for ground squirrel management is exclusion, which involves physically blocking access and removing attractants. Ground squirrels are driven by the need for food and shelter, so disrupting these factors can make an area uninhabitable. This proactive approach significantly reduces the likelihood of re-infestation.
To prevent burrowing under structures like decks, sheds, or concrete foundations, installing an L-shaped footer is highly recommended. This barrier is created by digging a trench 12 to 18 inches deep around the perimeter and extending 12 to 24 inches of wire mesh away from the structure at a 90-degree angle. Use galvanized hardware cloth (1/4-inch or 1/2-inch mesh) to exclude the rodents. Once the mesh is laid out in the “L” shape, the trench should be backfilled with soil to secure the barrier.
Eliminating accessible food sources is important for discouraging ground squirrel activity. This includes securing outdoor garbage containers, picking up fallen fruits or nuts, and removing spilled birdseed. Pet food should never be left outdoors, especially overnight, as squirrels are opportunistic foragers. Removing easy access to standing water, such as leaky spigots or shallow containers, also reduces the area’s appeal.
After control methods are completed, proper burrow management is necessary to prevent new squirrels from moving in. Empty burrows should be filled with heavy materials like crushed gravel or concrete to discourage reopening. Deep tilling of the soil in open areas can also help collapse established tunnel networks, making the habitat less desirable for new squirrels.
Safe and Effective Live Trapping Methods
Live trapping offers a direct, non-lethal method for removing ground squirrels from a property. The most suitable equipment is a single-door, box-style wire cage trap, typically around 24 inches long with a narrow profile. These traps capture the animal unharmed, allowing for safe transport and relocation where legally permitted.
Baiting the trap requires using highly attractive foods, such as peanut butter smeared on a cracker, rolled oats, or nut meats. Place the bait at the back of the trap, ensuring the animal must fully enter and step on the trigger plate. A pre-baiting period of two to three days is often beneficial: the trap door is tied open, allowing squirrels to eat freely to build confidence before the trap is set.
Once a squirrel is captured, immediate and careful handling is necessary to minimize stress. Wear thick gloves and cover the trap with a blanket or towel, which calms the squirrel by reducing visual stimuli. Traps should be checked at least twice daily, and never left unattended for extended periods, especially during hot weather, to prevent dehydration or heat stress.
Relocation protocols must strictly adhere to local and state wildlife regulations, as the transportation of wildlife is illegal in many jurisdictions. If permitted, the animal must be released several miles away (typically 5 to 10 miles) in a suitable, non-residential natural area with cover and a water source. This distance helps ensure the squirrel does not immediately return and improves its chance of survival.
Sensory Deterrents and Repellent Effectiveness
Sensory deterrents are often sought as a quick-fix solution, but their effectiveness against ground squirrels is limited and should be viewed as a supplemental strategy. These methods attempt to dissuade the animals using taste, smell, or startling them with noise or movement. They rarely provide a permanent solution.
Auditory or visual deterrents, such as reflective tape, motion-activated sprinklers, or ultrasonic devices, typically have a short-lived impact. Ground squirrels quickly acclimate to repetitive noises or startling movements, learning that the stimuli pose no real threat. Scientific studies show little evidence that high-frequency ultrasonic waves are effective in repelling rodents outdoors, especially given rapid habituation.
Repellents that target the squirrels’ sense of taste or smell offer a more promising, though temporary, solution. Commercial products containing capsaicin, the active ingredient in chili peppers, can be applied to plants or objects to create a taste aversion. The pungent odor of predator urine or castor oil-based products may also discourage foraging in localized areas.
These repellent applications require frequent reapplication, particularly after rain or heavy irrigation, to maintain efficacy. They are best used to protect small, high-value areas, such as vegetable gardens or flower beds, rather than attempting to clear a large area. Integrating these temporary sensory deterrents with exclusion and trapping provides the most comprehensive and non-toxic approach to control.