Can you kill ground squirrels in your lawn? Yes, you can, but it’s crucial to do so safely and humanely whenever possible. Dealing with an infestation of ground squirrels can be a frustrating experience for any homeowner. They can dig unsightly burrows, damage garden plants, and even pose a threat to the structural integrity of your home by burrowing under foundations. This guide will delve into effective methods for ground squirrel removal, focusing on safe and responsible approaches to get rid of ground squirrels and control lawn squirrels.
Identifying Ground Squirrel Damage
Before you can effectively address a ground squirrel problem, it’s important to identify ground squirrel damage. These rodents leave distinct signs that can help you confirm their presence.
Common Signs of Ground Squirrel Activity
- Burrow Holes: Ground squirrels create numerous burrow entrances, typically about 2-4 inches in diameter. These holes are often found in lawns, garden beds, under decks, sheds, or near building foundations. You might see excavated soil around the entrances.
- Mounds of Earth: Similar to molehills but generally larger, these mounds of freshly dug soil mark the entrances and exits of their tunnel systems.
- Chewed Plants: Squirrels are herbivores and will feed on a variety of plants, including flowers, vegetables, fruits, and even tree bark. Look for signs of gnawing on stems, leaves, and fruits.
- Damaged Lawns: The extensive burrowing activities can create uneven ground, sinkholes, and dead patches in your lawn as they disrupt root systems and aerate the soil excessively.
- Gnawed Infrastructure: In some cases, they might gnaw on wooden structures like decks, fences, or even electrical wiring if they gain access to crawl spaces.
Safe and Humane Ground Squirrel Removal Methods
When it comes to managing these persistent pests, a multi-faceted approach is often the most effective. The goal is to eliminate ground squirrels backyard while prioritizing safety for yourself, your pets, and other wildlife.
1. Exclusion and Prevention
The first line of defense is to make your yard less attractive to ground squirrels and to block their entry into protected areas.
Making Your Yard Less Appealing
- Remove Food Sources: Ground squirrels are attracted to readily available food.
- Secure Trash Cans: Use bins with tight-fitting lids.
- Pick Up Fallen Fruit: Regularly clear any fallen fruit or nuts from trees in your yard.
- Don’t Feed Them: While it may seem kind, feeding squirrels encourages them to stay and reproduce.
- Bird Feeder Management: If you have bird feeders, consider squirrel-proof feeders or place them away from structures squirrels might use for access. Clean up spilled birdseed regularly.
- Eliminate Shelter:
- Clear Debris: Remove brush piles, wood stacks, and dense vegetation where squirrels can hide or build nests.
- Seal Entry Points: Inspect your home, sheds, decks, and garages for any gaps or holes. Seal these openings with sturdy materials like hardware cloth, sheet metal, or concrete.
Physical Barriers
- Wire Mesh Fencing: For garden beds or specific areas you want to protect, consider installing a sturdy wire mesh fence (at least 1/4-inch hardware cloth) buried at least 12 inches deep and extending 12 inches above ground. You can also create an outward-facing flange at the top to deter climbing.
2. Live Trapping
One of the most humane ways to deal with a ground squirrel problem is through live trapping. This allows you to relocate the animals to a more suitable habitat, far away from your property.
Using Humane Ground Squirrel Traps
- Types of Traps: Live traps are typically cage-like structures that the animal enters to reach bait. Once inside, the door closes behind it, trapping the squirrel unharmed. Havahart and similar brands offer effective live traps.
- Baiting: Ground squirrels are attracted to a variety of baits. Good options include:
- Peanut butter
- Oats
- Sunflower seeds
- Nuts
- Fresh fruits and vegetables (apples, carrots)
- Placement: Place traps along known squirrel pathways, near burrow entrances, or in areas where you’ve seen the most activity.
- Checking Traps: It is crucial to check live traps frequently, at least twice a day (morning and evening). Leaving a trapped animal in the sun or without water can be fatal and is considered inhumane.
- Relocation: Once you catch a squirrel, relocate it to a suitable natural area at least 5-10 miles away from your home. Check local regulations regarding wildlife relocation, as some areas have restrictions. Ensure the new location has adequate food, water, and shelter.
3. Repellents and Deterrents
While not always a complete solution, repellents can be a useful tool in deterring ground squirrels.
Best Ground Squirrel Repellent Options
- Scent-Based Repellents: Many commercial repellents use strong odors that ground squirrels dislike. These can include castor oil, predator urine (fox or coyote), or mixtures of essential oils like peppermint or spearmint.
- Application: Apply these repellents around the perimeter of your garden or lawn, and directly onto affected areas. Reapplication is usually necessary after rain or watering.
- Taste-Based Repellents: These products make plants taste unpleasant to squirrels. They often contain ingredients like capsaicin (from chili peppers) or bittering agents.
- Considerations: These are best used for protecting specific plants and need frequent reapplication, especially after rain.
- Sonic and Ultrasonic Devices: These devices emit sounds designed to scare away squirrels. Their effectiveness can vary, and some animals may become accustomed to the sounds over time.
- Predator Decoys: Placing realistic-looking owl or snake decoys in your yard might offer a temporary deterrent, but squirrels are intelligent and may quickly realize they are not a real threat.
4. Natural Ground Squirrel Control
For those who prefer a more eco-friendly approach, natural ground squirrel control methods can be implemented.
Natural Deterrents and Management
- Companion Planting: Certain plants are said to repel squirrels. Planting marigolds, mint, or garlic around your garden beds may help.
- Physical Disruption: Regularly disturbing their burrow sites (filling them in) can make the area less appealing.
- Encouraging Natural Predators: While not always practical, supporting local ecosystems that include natural predators of squirrels, such as hawks or owls, can help with population control.
5. Lethal Control Methods (Use with Caution)
While the focus is on safety, it’s important to acknowledge that lethal methods exist for ground squirrel removal when other methods fail or aren’t feasible. However, these should be considered a last resort and carried out with extreme caution and adherence to local laws.
Ground Squirrel Poison (Rodenticides)
- Risks: The use of ground squirrel poison (rodenticides) carries significant risks.
- Non-Target Animals: Poisons can harm pets, children, and beneficial wildlife that may ingest the bait or a poisoned squirrel.
- Secondary Poisoning: Predators or scavengers that consume poisoned squirrels can also become ill or die.
- Environmental Contamination: Rodenticides can contaminate soil and water.
- Application: If you choose to use poisons, always follow the product label instructions precisely. Use bait stations to limit access to non-target animals. It is often recommended to use these only in areas inaccessible to pets and children, or to consult a professional pest control service.
- Legality: Check your local and state regulations regarding the use of rodenticides. Some jurisdictions have banned or restricted certain types of poisons.
Trapping and Euthanasia
- Snap Traps: Specialized snap traps designed for squirrels can be lethal.
- Placement: Similar to live traps, place them on pathways or near burrows.
- Safety: Ensure traps are placed away from children and pets, or in enclosed bait stations.
- Humane Euthanasia: If using lethal traps, consider methods that ensure a quick and humane death. Improperly set traps can cause prolonged suffering.
When to Call a Professional
If you have a severe infestation, or if you are uncomfortable using any of the methods described, it’s best to contact a professional wildlife control service. They have the expertise and tools to safely and effectively eliminate ground squirrels backyard and can advise on the most appropriate solutions for your specific situation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Are ground squirrels dangerous to pets?
A1: Ground squirrels themselves are generally not aggressive towards pets. However, they can carry diseases or parasites. If your pet catches and eats a ground squirrel, there’s a risk of them ingesting something harmful or contracting an illness. Also, be cautious if using poisons, as they pose a direct threat to pets.
Q2: How can I tell if it’s ground squirrels or moles causing the damage?
A2: Mole damage typically appears as raised tunnels or mounds of soil that are cone-shaped and are usually in a line or series of mounds. Ground squirrel damage is characterized by distinct burrow entrances, often with piles of excavated soil near them, and they tend to create more widespread burrow systems.
Q3: Can I use mothballs to repel ground squirrels?
A3: While some people try using mothballs, they are generally not recommended or effective for repelling ground squirrels. Mothballs contain chemicals that can be harmful to humans, pets, and the environment if misused. Their effectiveness as a repellent is also questionable.
Q4: How do I get rid of ground squirrels that are digging under my shed?
A4: To address ground squirrels under a shed, first try to identify and seal all entry points with sturdy hardware cloth or sheet metal. Before sealing, consider using a humane trap to remove any squirrels already inside. You can also try placing repellents or scattering predator urine near the shed to deter them.
Q5: What is the best time of year to deal with ground squirrels?
A5: The best time to manage ground squirrel populations is often in early spring when they emerge from hibernation and are actively foraging, or in late summer and fall as they prepare for hibernation. Avoiding trapping or extermination during breeding seasons is also a consideration for humane practices.
Conclusion
Effectively managing ground squirrels requires patience and a consistent approach. By identifying the damage they cause, employing safe and humane removal techniques like exclusion and live trapping, and utilizing deterrents, you can successfully control lawn squirrels and get rid of ground squirrels from your property. Remember to always prioritize safety for yourself, your family, and the environment. If the problem persists, don’t hesitate to seek professional assistance to eliminate ground squirrels backyard effectively and responsibly.