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How to Get Rid of Ground Squirrel

Tips for Ground Squirrel Control

By Heather WhitneyPublished 2 years ago 5 min read
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If left unchecked, ground squirrel colonies can grow to be quite big. They are most active in the morning and late afternoon on hot days and during sunny intervals throughout the cooler months; they are most active in the morning and late afternoon. Ground squirrels withdraw to their tunnels during strong winds.

When the temperature begins to warm in January, ground squirrels that have hibernated emerge.

They eat green foliage in late winter and early spring, but as the vegetation dries out, they switch to seeds and fruit in late spring and early summer. In the spring, females have one litter with an average of eight young.

When young ground squirrels emerge from their burrow, they are roughly 6 weeks old; they do not hibernate during their first winter and do not estimate their first summer.

Damage That Ground Squirrels Make

The harm caused by ground squirrels is especially noticeable in crops near uncultivated regions where ground squirrels are not regulated.

Ground squirrels can easily climb trees and vines, feeding on fruit and nuts from ripeness until harvest. Adult ground squirrels, especially in the late summer and early fall, store seeds and nuts in their burrows. During this time, crop losses far outnumber the quantity consumed by ground squirrels. Ground squirrels also eat berries and vegetative crops (such as alfalfa, cole crops, and lettuce).

Ground squirrels eat fruit and bark, girdle trunks and scaffold limbs, and can girdle and destroy trees or vines in a short amount of time.

They can cause root damage as well as aboveground damage, allowing fungal infections to attack plants.

Ground squirrels carry soil and rock to the surface when digging burrows and deposit it in mounds near burrow openings. Each year, they expand their burrow systems by digging new tunnels and adding additional entrances, thus the longer the ground squirrels live there, the larger the burrow becomes. They increase the number of entrances to accommodate the rising population.

Large and numerous burrow holes and soil mounds are difficult to harvest mechanically because they are difficult to navigate.

Ground squirrels can carry sylvatic plague to people in some regions, posing a health concern to humans.

Get Rid of Ground Squirrels

Ground squirrels can be driven out of your garden and house using a variety of effective methods such as noise, decoys, and repellants. Many individuals believe these rodents to be a serious threat to their homes. While it is true that getting rid of these animals is tough, it is not impossible.

Keep Your Yard Clean

Keeping your yard clean, growing squirrel-repelling plants, and making noise can all help scaring them away.

Take Care of Your Garbage

Many individuals are unaware that their waste may be a major factor in drawing ground squirrels to their property. If you want to keep them under control, one of the first things you need do is correctly handle the rubbish outside your house and in your yard.

Purchase a Squirrel-Free Bird Feeder

Ground squirrels may be drawn to your yard by your bird feeder in quest of food. Replace your old feeder with a new one that will keep squirrels and other rodents out.

Birds who visit the feeder often leave a large amount of bird food outside. If you don't clean it up fast, the ground squirrels will come get them as well.

Plant Plants That Repel Squirrels

Narcissus, castor beans, and the imperial crown plant are the plants in dispute. You will also have the added benefit of being able to grow these lovely plants in your garden. This approach is also safe for children and dogs. Mint is also an effective ground squirrel repellant, so plant some.

Place Live Traps

Setting a live trap for ground squirrels is a humane technique to get rid of them. You don't have to injure the animal; merely capture it and release it.

Utilize the Services of Other Animals

This is one strategy for permanently eliminating ground squirrels. Simply leave your dog go in the yard and it will take care of everything.

Scare Them with Noise

Noise is an efficient strategy for getting rid of ground squirrels. The only disadvantage is the increased noise pollution it causes. Your neighbors may not be as understanding of the frequent noise coming from your lawn.

Use Decoys

Squirrels have a lot of natural predators, including owls, hawks, and coyotes, and you can take advantage of their decoys.

Fortunately, these decoys are inexpensive and can be found in any landscaping store. We recommend purchasing three to four of them and strategically placing them on your lawn.

Squirrels are intelligent creatures. They'll grow accustomed to the decoys and stop being afraid of them. One trick is to alternate between different decoys and move them around your yard on a regular basis.

Natural Ways to Get Rid of Ground Squirrels

Castor oil, pepper spray, and sprinklers are some of the most effective natural squirrel repellents.

Castor Oil

Castor oil is found in practically every home, or you can buy it and use it to get rid of ground squirrels from your property.

Pepper Spray

Pepper spray is a cheap and non-toxic way to keep ground squirrels out of your yard. It is readily available at home and performs admirably.

Motion Sensor Sprinkler

Installing a motion-sensor sprinkler on your lawn would undoubtedly make your life much easier. The most recent versions include superb sensors that can detect someone or something entering your lawn from a distance of several feet.

Employ Professional Assistance

You may need to enlist the assistance of more experienced authorities on occasion. We're referring to professionals who deal with these issues on a daily basis.

That's All We Have!

This post provided a wealth of information on how to prevent ground squirrels off your property.

Try out all of these excellent strategies and let us know which one worked best for you.

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About the Creator

Heather Whitney

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