I’ve dealt with my fair share of ground squirrel infestations over the years. These critters might look cute, but they can wreak havoc on your property. From torn-up gardens to damaged structures, I’ve seen it all.
If you’re noticing more squirrel activity and signs of destruction around your home, you’re probably wondering how to get these pests under control. Well, you’re in the right place. I’m going to share some tried-and-true methods to get rid of ground squirrels and keep them away for good.
If trying to get rid of ground squirrels on your own becomes too challenging, I recommend Orkin, Terminix, and Aptive. These exterminators have some of the best-trained professionals that can use traps, baits, and other chemically treated solutions that are often more effective than standard DIY methods.
How To Get Rid of Ground Squirrels
- Set up decoys: Squirrels have many predators, including owls, hawks, eagles, coyotes, foxes, and felines. Purchase a decoy, such as an owl decoy to scare squirrels off your property. Place these decoys in positions where the actual predator may hide and throughout different areas of your yard. Changing these decoys’ positions regularly can also keep squirrels on their toes and away from your property. I recommend starting with at least three to four decoys throughout your yard and switching them regularly to keep squirrels guessing.
- Use a squirrel trap: Live-capture traps are an effective way to trap squirrels. Place squirrel bait, such as pretzels, peanut butter, acorns, birdseed, or other attractive food sources inside the live trap to entice the squirrel. Once they’re captured, you can change the squirrel 10 to 15 minutes away from your home. Please look at your local laws and regulations before trapping squirrels, though, as some areas do not allow the trapping of wild animals.
- Try squirrel poison bait stations: Like many rodents, squirrels can be killed with mouse or rat bait. However, this can be tricky because rodent bait is not nearly as attractive to a squirrel as it is to other rodents. Try using Contrac Blox Rodent Control Rodenticide, which is effective against squirrels because it contains Bromadiolone. However, be cautious using this product around children or pets because they can easily consume this product and be harmed.
- Use ultrasonic sound repellents: High pitched frequencies irritate ground squirrels, so using an ultrasonic sound repellent is a great way to deter squirrels from entering your yard. Please keep in mind that this repellent can also irritate our pets, who can hear the frequency, although humans cannot hear it.
- Make a DIY natural ground squirrel control product: The taste of spicy peppers repels squirrels due to the capsaicin inside the peppers. Try making a DIY mixture of water and cayenne pepper, then spray this around and at the base of your plants to discourage squirrels from eating in your garden. You will need to reapply this solution, but it can be an effective method to repel ground squirrels before they cause damage to your yard.
- Use a ground squirrel gas bomb: Gas bombs for wildlife pests, like moles, gophers, and ground squirrels, can effectively smoke pests out of their underground tunnels. The gas should not affect plant roots and is an effective way to kill squirrels in your yard quickly. Please check with your local laws and regulations before using this product, as some areas may not allow products that kill ground squirrels to be used. This product will also not be safe to use around children and pets, so please be wary.
- Hire a pest control professional to fumigate your yard: Fumigation is commonly used against ground squirrels and is most effective during the spring. It’s conducted underground, making it safer for other animals but effective against ground squirrels.
You should also deal with other pest infestations. Ground squirrels will eat insects, so if you have other pest infestations, make sure you immediately deal with them before the insects attract other pests. Regularly apply pesticides and keep an eye out for signs of pests so that you can avoid ground squirrels and tree squirrels coming after the insects.
How to Keep Ground Squirrels Away
- Rake your yard regularly: Start by purchasing a yard rake and raking up all fallen nuts, leaves, fruit, twigs, etc. By keeping these raked, you’re removing a potential squirrel food source. It’s recommended that you rake your yard twice a week in the autumn when leaves are falling. If you have a garden, make sure to rake the flower beds.
- Build a chicken wire frame: Squirrels are great climbers, so many fences are ultimately pointless. However, using chicken wire frames around your garden or flowers can prevent squirrels from eating at your garden plants. Fine mesh chicken wire is a great option because it will prevent squirrels from squirming through it. Make sure that you bury the chicken mesh at least four to six inches deep so that ground squirrels cannot dig underneath the frame.
- Plant different types of plants that repel squirrels: Ground squirrels eat almost anything, but certain plants, including narcissus, castor beans, and crown imperials repel them. Try planting these in your garden to repel ground squirrels.
- Try using pepper spray throughout your yard: Pepper spray is a popular choice to spray around your yard to help discourage ground squirrel problems. Ground squirrels dislike peppers and will steer clear of pepper-sprayed areas.
- Make a DIY castor oil solution: Mix 1/4 cup of castor oil and two tablespoons of dishwashing liquid, then add a gallon of water. Mix, and pour into a spray bottle. Spray this anywhere in your yard that squirrels commonly inhabit.
- Control your trash: Seal off trash cans with a locked lid and place trash in tied bags. This is a good pest prevention measure for a variety of wildlife pests.
- Update your bird feeder: Bird feeders are an excellent food source for squirrels because they love to feed on birdseed. Look for squirrel-proof bird feeders with a surrounding cage, which will prevent wildlife pests, like squirrels, from eating the birdseed while allowing the birds to eat the provided birdseed. Never scatter birdseed on the ground, as this is a great way to attract ground squirrels and other wildlife pests.
How To Identify Ground Squirrels
Ground squirrels are often mistaken for tree squirrels and chipmunks. So, how can you easily tell these critters from each other?
Like chipmunks, ground squirrels are typically on the ground foraging for food. However, they will not have head stripes like chipmunks. Unlike tree squirrels, ground squirrels will have stripes on their bodies.
Ground squirrels will also be larger than chipmunks and have a more prominent, fluffy tail. Also, ground squirrels are more grayish than chipmunks, who are a lighter brown color overall.
Another notable difference between these three critters is where they live. Ground squirrels typically live on the ground like chipmunks, whereas tree squirrels live in holes in trees. Like chipmunks, who create burrows by digging in the ground, ground squirrels prefer to live in grassy areas and create smaller burrows to sleep in and mate in.
Please note that ground squirrels can carry a variety of dangerous diseases, including rabies, leptospirosis, and even the bubonic plague. These diseases can be spread to humans through bites, saliva, and even by touching the dead animal. So, be sure to handle dead animals with gloves and be careful of the fleas and other insects that may be living on the squirrel.
Signs & Causes of an Infestation
In short, food and water are the primary things that will attract squirrels to your property.
Ground squirrels are known to eat the following:
- Seeds
- Nuts
- Flower and plant buds
- Grains, such as corn and wheat
- Insects
- Fungi
- Bird eggs, including chicken eggs
- Frogs
- Birdseed
- Garbage
- Human leftovers
They will also seek out bird baths, ditches, puddles, streams, and fish ponds as water sources. If your yard has access to water and food, squirrels are likely to follow.
Signs of a ground squirrel infestation:
- Increased sighting of squirrels
- Gnawing, chewing marks
- Chewed up wiring
- Droppings
- Missing chicken eggs
- Destroyed garden and flower beds
- Dug up flower bulbs
- Nests
- A strange odor
- Strange noises
- Scratching noises coming from your walls or attic
- Ground squirrel holes (look for two to three-inch holes. They may appear shallow)
Ground Squirrel Damage
Ground squirrels may seem harmless, but they can cause significant damage to your property. Understanding the extent of this damage can help emphasize the importance of controlling these pests. Here are some common types of ground squirrel damage:
- Burrowing: Ground squirrels create extensive tunnel systems, which can weaken soil structure and lead to erosion. These burrows can damage lawns, gardens, and even building foundations.
- Crop destruction: They feed on a variety of crops, including fruits, vegetables, and grains. This can result in significant losses for gardeners and farmers.
- Gnawing: Like other rodents, ground squirrels constantly gnaw to keep their teeth trimmed. They may chew on wooden structures, plastic irrigation pipes, and even electrical wiring, causing fire hazards.
- Garden damage: Beyond eating plants, they can dig up and eat flower bulbs and seeds, ruining landscaping efforts.
- Disease transmission: Ground squirrels can carry diseases that are transmissible to humans and pets, including plague, leptospirosis, and tularemia.
- Infrastructure damage: Their burrowing activities can undermine roads, dams, and levees, leading to expensive repairs.
Recognizing these potential damages underscores the importance of effective ground squirrel control measures. If you notice any of these signs of damage, it’s crucial to act quickly to prevent further destruction to your property and potential health risks.
Final Thoughts on How To Get Rid of Ground Squirrels
Ground squirrels are cute, fluffy critters, but they’re highly destructive and should not be taken lightly. On top of this, ground squirrels present a threat to human well-being because they can carry dangerous diseases and fleas and may cause fire hazards with their incessant chewing of wiring in our cars or homes.
If you discover ground squirrels on your property, don’t hesitate to reach out to your local pest management team. They can assess your property for pests and then discuss different ways to target animals on your property. This could include ground squirrel repellents, ground squirrel baits, motion sensor sprinkler systems, or squirrel removal.
Taking care of squirrels on your own can be time-consuming and may destroy your yard or vegetable garden while you figure out which techniques help minimize squirrel activity on your property.
Don’t wait to call an exterminator today to have your ground squirrel problem taken care of. An exterminator can also advise you on local laws and regulations, which may prevent the use of ground squirrel traps that harm animals or kill traps entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions
To quickly address a ground squirrel problem, it’s best to employ multiple strategies simultaneously. Start by setting up live traps baited with appealing foods like peanut butter or seeds. Install ultrasonic repellent devices around your property, which emit high-frequency sounds that deter squirrels. Apply predator urine in key areas to create the illusion of danger.
Use taste repellents such as cayenne pepper spray on plants and areas squirrels frequent. If the situation is severe and local laws permit, consider professional fumigation services for rapid results.
The most effective deterrents for ground squirrels often involve a combination of physical barriers and sensory deterrents. Exclusion methods, like burying fencing at least 6 inches deep, can prevent squirrels from accessing your property.
Motion-activated sprinklers startle squirrels with sudden bursts of water. Predator decoys, such as owl or hawk figurines, can be effective if moved regularly to maintain the illusion. Strong scent repellents like castor oil can make your yard less appealing.
Importantly, removing food sources and modifying habitats to be less squirrel-friendly are crucial long-term deterrents.
Ground squirrels have a diverse diet that adapts to their environment. They primarily feed on seeds and nuts, but also enjoy a variety of fruits and vegetables. These omnivores will eat insects and grubs when available, and some have been known to prey on eggs and young birds.
Ground squirrels also consume young plants and seedlings, making them a particular nuisance for gardeners. Grains like wheat and corn are favorite foods, and they’ll even eat certain types of fungi. This varied diet contributes to their adaptability and persistence in many environments.
Protecting your tomatoes from ground squirrels requires a multi-faceted approach. Start by installing a sturdy chicken wire fence around your garden, burying it at least 6 inches deep to prevent burrowing.
Cover your tomato plants with netting as an additional barrier. Planting strong-smelling herbs like mint or lavender near your tomatoes can act as a natural deterrent. Apply taste repellents containing capsaicin around the garden area. Setting up decoy predators near your tomato plants can also help scare squirrels away.
Remember to rotate these methods and stay vigilant, as squirrels can be persistent when food is involved.
To discourage ground squirrels from digging in your yard, focus on making your landscape less attractive and more difficult for them to excavate. Start by eliminating easy food sources and keeping grass short to reduce cover.
Apply a castor oil solution to the soil, as squirrels dislike the smell and taste. In problem areas, consider installing underground hardware cloth to create a physical barrier against digging. Motion-activated sprinklers can startle squirrels and discourage them from lingering in your yard.
Lastly, incorporate plants that squirrels tend to avoid, such as daffodils or marigolds, into your landscaping. Consistent application of these methods can significantly reduce squirrel digging activity over time.
