Ground Squirrels
Twenty-three species and 119 subspecies of ground squirrels exist in the United States (Hall 1981).
How to Prevent Ground Squirrel Damage with Ground Squirrel Control and Removal Methods
Critter Control is the leading animal control company to call when you think ground squirrels are damaging your home or property. It is important to remember that ground squirrel removal will only be effective if it is implemented properly; this is why a Critter Control professional is your best solution to get rid of ground squirrel problems.
Get Rid of Ground Squirrels Through Exclusion
When it comes to ground squirrels, exclusion methods are, unfortunately, ineffective and can be pretty costly depending on what type of exclusion is implemented. But don’t worry; Critter Control has several other solutions to help get rid of your ground squirrel problems.
Ground Squirrel Control Through Habitat Modification
One of the most effective methods of ground squirrel control is to change their habitat. Critter Control may use flood irrigation methods to help keep the ground squirrels away. We will also get rid of their shelter, commonly consisting of piles of rock and brush. Sometimes ground squirrels will even take shelter in old machinery sitting outdoors. By removing or altering their habitat, we create a barrier between ground squirrels and your property.
What Repellents Can be Used to Get Rid of Ground Squirrels?
At Critter Control, we have found that repellents are not very effective for getting rid of ground squirrels.
Using Toxicants to Keep the Ground Squirrels Away
Toxicants can be a useful method for ground squirrel control, but there may be restrictions depending on the state you live in. Be sure to check with state regulations before using toxicants. It is also important to remember that toxicants should be applied with great care, so it is always best to contact a Critter Control professional for assistance.
Some of the commonly used toxicants for keeping ground squirrels away are zinc phosphide, anticoagulants and cholecalciferol.
Are Fumigants Effective for Ground Squirrel Control?
There are two types of fumigants that can be effective for squirrel control: gas cartridges and aluminum phosphide. When dealing with fumigants for squirrel removal, you want to be sure you have the proper protective gear. Contact Critter Control to assist you with the removal of ground squirrels from your property using fumigants.
Ground Squirrel Damage Identification
Ground Squirrel Agricultural Damage
Most species of ground squirrels commonly cause agricultural damage. Some ground squirrels will prey on bird eggs and baby birds or will venture into trees to eat new leaf buds in the spring. Other ground squirrel species will feed on crops and adjust to the different crop types within their habitat. The Belding ground squirrel and the California ground squirrel living in large populations near farms or home gardens have been known to do the most damage. The Belding ground squirrel commonly lives in extremely large populations, causing extensive loss in crops, such as oats, alfalfa, wheat, rye and barley. The California ground squirrel has been known to destroy food sources for livestock on farms. Rock ground squirrels, although not as harmful as Belding and California ground squirrels, can also cause damage to harvests. Rock ground squirrels prefer their fruits and veggies; they commonly eat corn, peas, squash and various types of fruit seeds. Fortunately, Rock ground squirrels do not usually live in agricultural areas.
Ground Squirrel Burrowing in Yards
One of the most common complaints about ground squirrels is damage caused by their burrowing. Ground squirrels tend to burrow through ditch banks and earthen dams, and can weaken levees if the burrowing is extensive. Ground squirrels can even damage buildings and roadways with their burrows. Most ground squirrels burrow during the daytime, so there is typically no problem identifying which squirrels are causing the damage.
Ground squirrel burrows can also cause problems with irrigation by redirecting the flow of water, or can cause increased soil erosion by channeling rain or snow runoff in natural habitats. Sometimes in parks, playgrounds or other recreational areas, their burrows can cause injury, as people can step in them and lose their balance, or trip and fall. Ground squirrel burrows have also been known to injure horses on equestrian trails or in jumping arenas.
In some cases, the amount of soil that ground squirrels excavate when burrowing can kill vegetation by covering it. This has even caused damage to haying machinery.
Ground Squirrels on Your Property: How to Identify Ground Squirrels
There are several species of ground squirrels that can be found across North America. They are most common in the west, inhabiting large grassland areas and fields of grain, hay and irrigated pastures.
Though each squirrel can be identified by specific characteristics, sometimes it can be tricky to identify which ground squirrel is causing damage near your home or property. Contact a Critter Control professional today to help you identify the ground squirrels in your area.
Belding Ground Squirrels
The Belding ground squirrel can be found in California, mainly the northeastern region, and also in parts of Oregon, Idaho and Nevada. Sometimes these ground squirrels will make home in areas of Nevada; however, the Belding ground squirrel is only considered a nuisance animal in Oregon and California.
This ground squirrel is medium-sized and is described as short and stocky but without a big, bushy tail. Belding ground squirrels do not have stripes or markings like other squirrels, making them a little more difficult to identify. They have gray/reddish-brown fur with a cream colored belly. Their throats and inner leg areas are also a pale color. Within the Belding ground squirrels species, color variations can occur.
Belding ground squirrels are of the smaller ground squirrels: about 8.5 inches long with a short 2.5-inch tail. They have tiny ears that are not very noticeable.
California Ground Squirrels
Though called the California ground squirrel, these squirrels can be found further north and south of California, extending south into Mexico and north into Oregon and Washington. These squirrels are referred to as the most serious rodent pest throughout California (especially the Spermophilus beecheyi and S. b. fisheri) typically living in the Central Valley and near the southern coast. They are not commonly found in California’s desert areas.
California ground squirrels are usually larger than the Belding, at about ten inches in length. Their tails are considered semi-bushy and slightly longer, at 6.5 inches. Their ears are more noticeable than the Belding’s, as they are taller with long hairs at the tips. California ground squirrels can be easily identified by their fur color, which is brown-gray and grizzly. Some subspecies of these squirrels will have unique markings on their fur as well.
Rock Ground Squirrels
You can find the Rock ground squirrel in areas throughout New Mexico and Arizona, extending east into Texas and north into Nevada. They also inhabit most of Utah and Colorado. Their greatest populations can be found in Mexico. These squirrels get their name from the rocky areas they live in, like mountains, canyons and hillsides. In urbanized areas, these squirrels will make homes near rock walls, irrigation ditches and fields that are cultivated.
Rock ground squirrels can be identified by their large ears that stick far out on their heads. They also have a large bushy tail of about 8 inches long. Rock ground squirrels are larger squirrels at about 10.5 inches in length. Depending on the species, their fur can be gray, brown/gray or black; some subspecies have light gray or white spots throughout their fur as well. The Rock ground squirrel could be easily mistaken for the California ground squirrel as they have a strong resemblance; however, the rock ground squirrel is slightly larger than the California ground squirrel and their living ranges typically do not overlap.
Franklin Ground Squirrels
Another species of ground squirrel is the Franklin ground squirrel (Spermophilus franklinii). This squirrel is about 10 inches in length with a tail of between 5 and 6 inches. They can weigh up to 25 ounces. The Franklin ground has gray/brown fur coloring with black speckles, which makes them appear spotted.
Richardson Ground Squirrels
Richardson ground squirrels (S. richardson) are much smaller than other ground squirrels. They are very light colored with some dappling on their backs. Only eight inches in length, and with tails only up to 4 inches, these ground squirrels typically weigh between 11 and 18 ounces.
Columbian Ground Squirrels
This ground squirrel is one of the easiest to identify, with its very unique colored fur. Unlike other squirrels, the Columbian ground squirrel has red/brown fur on the forelegs, nose and hind. These squirrels can be about a foot in length, with tails up to 5 inches, and can weigh over 16 ounces.
Washington Ground Squirrels
One of the gray-colored ground squirrels, the Washington ground squirrel (S. washingtoni) is smokey-gray with white spots. Different from other gray-colored ground squirrels, the Washington squirrel has a short tail with just a little bit of black at the tip. Its appearance is similar to the Townsend and Belding ground squirrels, except these squirrels do not have white spots. The Washington ground squirrel grows to be up to only 7 inches in length, with shorter tails of up to 2.5 inches. Full-grown Washington ground squirrels will weigh between 6 and 10 ounces.
Townsend Ground Squirrels
The Townsend ground squirrel (S. townsendi) is one of the only ground squirrels with a bicolored tail of about 2 inches in length. Their head and body length can be up to 7 inches and they can grow to weigh up to 9 ounces. You can identify a Townsend squirrel by its smokey-gray fur with a trace of pink and its white underside.
Idaho, Uinta, Mexican, Spotted, Mohave & Roundtail Ground Squirrels
There are several other species of ground squirrels; however, they are not commonly noticed, as these ground squirrels are not known to be nuisance animals. These ground squirrels include: Mohave ground squirrels (S. mohavensis), Idaho ground squirrels (S. brunneus), roundtail ground squirrels (S. tereticaudus), Spotted ground squirrels (S. spilosoma), Mexican ground squirrels (S. mexicanus) and Uinta ground squirrels (S. armatus).
Ground Squirrel Public Health
The most common public health concern associated with ground squirrels is that they can carry contagious diseases, like the plague. When handling ground squirrels, it is important to wear the proper safety gear in order to prevent the transmission of these diseases. If you have a squirrel problem, it is best to contact a Critter Control professional to assist in trapping or removing the ground squirrels.
The Legal Status of Ground Squirrels
The legal status of ground squirrels varies per squirrel: most are considered nuisance animals and, therefore, are not protected by law. However, there are some animals that feed on ground squirrels, such as black-footed ferrets, wolves and eagles are considered endangered species or threatened species. To make sure you are implementing the proper squirrel control solution, contact a Critter Control wildlife specialist to help you identify which ground squirrel is causing you problems.
Fun Ground Squirrel Facts and Trivia
Ground Squirrel Burrow Systems
Ground squirrels dig burrows in the ground as a method of shelter and safety, and a way to get out of the heat. These burrows, after time, will evolve into a burrow system, with several open entrances into the same burrow. They can even reach up to 6 feet deep! The number of ground squirrels living within each burrow can range from 2 to 20, depending on the species. Some ground squirrels, like California ground squirrels and rock ground squirrels, will have multiple squirrels living within one burrow system. Belding ground squirrels, however, tend to be less colonial and spread out their burrow systems, with less squirrels living within each one.
Ground Squirrels are Great Climbers
Though called ground squirrels, these animals will actually climb trees when scared by humans or predators. They usually go back to their burrows in the ground when the coast is clear.
Ground Squirrel Hibernation
Ground squirrels will hibernate during the coldest part of the year. They have also been known to estivate, where ground squirrels will sleep for up to 2 weeks at a time in the summer. It is common for male California and Belding ground squirrels to wake from hibernation before the female squirrels, usually two weeks earlier. With rock ground squirrels, however, the situation is opposite: the females emerge from hibernation earlier than the males!
How Many Babies are in a Ground Squirrel Litter?
The number of ground squirrels within a litter depends on the species. California ground squirrels usually have litters with an average of 7 baby squirrels per litter. Rock ground squirrels will average around 5, while Belding ground squirrels will have about 8 babies within each litter. Gestation for ground squirrels is between 28 and 32 days with only 1 litter born each year. These litters are born down below in the ground squirrels’ burrowing systems and they are born hairless with closed eyes. Female squirrels will nurse the babies until they are about 7 weeks old. After that, they will begin to leave the burrow in search of vegetation.
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