Introduction
Ground squirrels are the tiny, furry annoyances that make gardeners and homeowners crazy. They seem to have a skill set that includes digging endlessly since they enjoy bird seed even more than birds. They plan to burrow beneath buildings.
These tiny, fluffy creatures have the ability to quickly make you feel utterly wretched. But fear not this tutorial will teach you how to effectively and humanely drive out pesky ground squirrels, allowing you to finally bid them farewell as backyard robbers!
Understanding the Squirrel Problem
Know your adversary before you charge into battle. Ground squirrels belong to the Sciuridae family, which has unparalleled burrowing and feeding ability. They are usually found in grasslands, parks, and, regrettably, adjacent to human habitation.
Their constant digging endangers not only the attractiveness of a lawn, but also plant roots and structural stability of buildings.
How Do I Get Rid Of Ground Squirrels? Well, it’s time for us to roll up our sleeves and face this furry predicament head-on!
Prevention is Key
Make Your Castle Stronger
Best ways to deal with the ground squirrel dilemma: Make your property less attractive to critters. Here are some ways:
- Fill in the Holes: You should inspect your home for any openings or holes that ground squirrels could be using to gain entry. Close any openings with caulk or wire mesh to prevent entry.
- Secure Your Garbage Bins: Keep your garbage cans tightly sealed, as it can easily catch the eye of ground squirrels.
- Bird Feeders: If you feed the birds, put their feeders on poles or raise them by means of baffles attached to posts or trees as a baffle against ground squirrels.
Landscape Strategically
There are some things in your landscaping that can lure ground squirrels into your yard, so avoid doing these.
- Rock and Gravel Borders: Border the garden beds with the rocks or gravel to protect the garden beds from ground squirrels.
- Squirrel Proof: Plant ground squirrel resistant plants such as rosemary, salvia, and lavender.
Methods for Eliminating Ground Squirrels Lessening the appeal of your home will significantly reduce the likelihood of a ground squirrel infestation!
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Human Removal Tactics
Live trapping
If your prevention methods don’t work, you’ll have to trap them live. And here’s the humane way to do it:
- Get the Right Trap: For trapping a squirrel, select a live trap that is big enough to not confine the animal to a small space.
- Bait with Care: Attract the ground squirrels to the trap with beautiful baits like nuts or peanut butter.
- Humanely Release: After trapping is complete, transport the ground squirrel to a distant location from your property and humanely release the live animal.
Human Repellants
Nature has given us an armory of repellents, which can be used to chase ground squirrels without harming them. For example:
- Predator Urine: Predator urine from foxes or coyotes sprinkled around the house will cause fear in ground squirrels.
- Peppermint Oil: One of the strong odors that ground squirrels can’t stand is peppermint. Water can be mixed with peppermint oil and sprayed around problematic areas.
What Can You Do About Ground Squirrels? If humane exclusion methods are practiced, then control of ground squirrels means that you can say good-bye without harm.
Strengthen Your Defense
Better ground squirrel management starts with prevention. Here are things that will help you in doing so:
- Fencing: Erect a hard-boundary fence around your garden or property, burying it several inches underground to eliminate squirrel burrowing beneath.
- Wire Mesh: A very effective method to avoid squirrels from digging up vulnerable plants is to circle the base with wire mesh or hardware cloth.
- Raised beds: You may consider raised bed gardening, which is more difficult for squirrels to access.
FAQs
Q: Are ground squirrels harmful to humans?
A: Ground squirrels are, for the most part, harmless, but their burrowing can tear up lawns and gardens. Also, it can carry diseases like plague or fleas, so ideally they should be kept apart from them.
A: Are repellents harmful to my pets or other wildlife?
A: Yes, most repellents are safe for animals and wildlife if used as directed. Make sure to read and follow the label directions to minimize possible risks.
B: What are the signs that ground squirrels are nesting in my yard?
A: Just watch for the signs of burrow entrances, chewed plants, and small mounds of dirt, which would indicate the existence of ground squirrels.
Conclusion
Garden-variety ground squirrels can be a nuisance, but you can rid them from your backyard without too much trouble. From castle reinforcement to humane eviction tactics, here are several ways to send these furry invaders packing.
So the next time you find yourself thinking, “How to Get Rid Of Ground Squirrels?” Remember this guide and swing into action! And with some resolve and a little creativity, you’ll soon be enjoying your squirrel-free haven. Happy squirrel wrangling!