Here at Smith’s Pest Management, we help homeowners in California keep these pests away for good.
In this blog, we share our professional ground squirrel control tips so you can quickly reclaim your yard.
Ground squirrels can be a real nuisance in yards and gardens with their incessant digging and burrowing. The holes and mounds they leave behind can be unsightly and hazardous. But there are ways to deter these furry pests and stop them from tunneling under your property.
Why Ground Squirrels Dig
Ground squirrels are prolific diggers for a few key reasons
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To create burrows and tunnels – This is where they sleep, store food, and raise babies. Their burrows can be extensive, with multiple entrances and chambers.
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To find food – They dig for seeds, nuts, roots, and bulbs to eat Squirrels also burrow near gardens to access vegetables and fruits.
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To cool off – On hot days ground squirrels dig deeper to get to cooler soil temperatures for relief.
Problems Caused by Ground Squirrel Digging
Extensive burrowing by ground squirrels can lead to several issues:
- Damaged lawns with unsightly holes and mounds
- Erosion as soil gets displaced
- Flooding if burrows divert or block water flow
- Undermined structure foundations
- Dead plants or damaged irrigation lines
- Twisted ankles or tripping hazards for people
Clearly, taking action to stop ground squirrel digging is important to protect your yard.
Effective Ways to Stop Ground Squirrel Digging
There are several eco-friendly, humane ways to deter ground squirrels and prevent them from digging up your yard.
Remove Food Sources
Eliminate anything ground squirrels could eat. This makes the area less attractive to them.
- Take pet food inside and use squirrel-proof feeders
- Quickly pick up fallen seeds and fruits
- Use traps for garden pests like snails, slugs, and insects
- Ensure bird baths have fresh, clean water
Natural Repellents
Strong scents chase ground squirrels away. Try these:
- Castor oil sprayed near burrows
- Capsaicin or hot pepper solutions
- Predator urine of coyotes or foxes
- Mothballs scattered around problem areas
- Ammonia-soaked rags
Reapply repellents frequently, especially after rain.
Physical Barriers
Block access to gardens and around foundations.
- Bury galvanized hardware cloth 12” deep
- Use chicken wire or small-mesh fencing
- Extend fencing 3 feet above ground
- Angle fence outwards from the ground
Remove Shelter
Eliminate places for squirrels to nest and hide.
- Seal off access points to buildings
- Trim overgrown branches
- Remove woodpiles or junk piles
- Rake up tall grass and weeds
Vibration Devices
Scare squirrels away with sound and movement.
- Place vibrating stakes in the ground
- Install motion-activated sprinklers
- Use ultrasonic repellers
- Hang wind chimes or aluminum pie pans
Natural Predator Scents
The smell of predators frightens ground squirrels.
- Coyote or fox urine around yards
- Human hair clippings spread in garden beds
- Cat fur placed in problem areas
Peppermint Oil
The strong minty smell of peppermint oil repels squirrels.
- Apply 100% pure peppermint oil on cotton balls
- Place cotton balls around susceptible plants
- Refresh cotton balls every 2-3 days
Live Trapping
For small infestations, use humane traps so you can relocate them. Release at least 10 miles away.
Fill in Burrows
Filling in burrows and tunnels discourages re-burrowing.
- Pack holes with dirt, gravel, rocks, or sand
- Cover area with chicken wire before filling
- Check often to ensure holes remain filled
Plant Unpleasant Vegetation
Certain plants deter ground squirrels, like:
- Prickly branches of holly or brambles
- Alliums, onions, or garlic
- Daffodils or narcissus
- Crown imperials
- Mint, lavender, catnip
Plant these around the yard perimeter. The smell and taste drive squirrels away.
Prevent Re-Infestation
After removing ground squirrels, take steps to prevent their return:
- Set up fencing and barriers around susceptible areas
- Eliminate shelter and food sources
- Use repellents and sprinklers at old burrow sites
- Check for signs of new squirrels like holes
- Immediately fill any new burrows
With persistence, you can reclaim your yard from these digging pests in a safe, eco-friendly manner. A combination of techniques that remove motivation and opportunity to dig keeps your garden free of tunneling menaces.
Are Ground Squirrels Taking Over Your San Francisco Bay Area Yard? We’re Here to Help!
Tolerating ground squirrels just isn’t an option. After all, the pests can cause thousands of dollars of damage to your property. Plus, they can carry fleas and diseases and attract unwelcome visitors like coyotes.
Fortunately, you don’t have to live with them forever. Our team is here to help.
Here at Smith’s Pest Management, we’re conscientious and concerned lovers of nature.
While we help homeowners and businesses send ground squirrels packing with the best ground squirrel control services in the Bay Area, we do so in the most humane and low-impact way available.
We use EPA-approved rodent control products, apply them in accordance with all label directions, and keep a close eye on developing science to ensure we’re never using products or techniques that could harm the environment, non-target species, or the ecosystem at large.
Let us eliminate your ground squirrel problem effectively, humanely, and in a way that’s safe for your kids and pets.
Our team helps residential and commercial customers in Northern California – from Marin to Monterey.
Contact us today for a free ground squirrel control quote: (408) 871-6988
What diseases do ground squirrels carry?
Like most rodent pests, ground squirrels carry a host of dangerous diseases, including rabies, the bubonic plague, and leptospirosis.
Many of these diseases can spread to domestic animals or humans, so it’s wise to take steps to eliminate ground squirrels as soon as you notice an infestation.
How to keep squirrels from digging holes in your yard
FAQ
What will stop squirrels from digging holes?
- Alliums.
- Bay.
- Geraniums.
- Choisia Ternata.
- Eucalyptus.
- Lavender.
- Lemon balm.
- Lemongrass.
What do ground squirrels hate the most?
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Scents:
- Pepper: Ground squirrels are known to avoid the scent of various peppers, including white pepper, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and even jalapenos.
- Peppermint: The strong scent of peppermint is also a deterrent for squirrels.
- Garlic: The pungent odor of garlic is another scent that squirrels find unpleasant and will try to avoid.
- Coffee Grounds: The strong aroma of coffee grounds is also a repellent.
- Other Scents: Some people also report success with scents like cinnamon, white vinegar, or predator urine.
- Pepper: Ground squirrels are known to avoid the scent of various peppers, including white pepper, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and even jalapenos.
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Plants:
- Alliums: Plants like onions, garlic, chives, and spring onions have a strong smell that squirrels find distasteful.
- Daffodils: Daffodils are known to be deterrents for various animals, including squirrels, due to their unpalatable taste and strong scent.
- Hyacinth: Some squirrels are repelled by the scent of hyacinth.
- Alliums: Plants like onions, garlic, chives, and spring onions have a strong smell that squirrels find distasteful.
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Other Methods:
- Physical Barriers: Using barriers like fencing, netting, or wire mesh can help keep squirrels out of specific areas.
- Predator Scents: The scent of predators, like coyotes, can deter squirrels.
- Physical Barriers: Using barriers like fencing, netting, or wire mesh can help keep squirrels out of specific areas.
How do you get rid of ground burrowing squirrels?
Place traps on the ground near squirrel burrows or runways. Bait traps with walnuts, almonds, oats, barley, or melon rinds. Trap between February and October.
Do coffee grounds repel ground squirrels?
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Sprinkling:Sprinkle coffee grounds directly onto the soil around plants or in areas where squirrels are active.
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Spray:You can also mix coffee grounds with water and spray the mixture around your property.
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Regular Application:It’s important to regularly replenish the coffee grounds as they decompose and their scent fades.
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Combine with other repellents:Coffee grounds can be used in combination with other natural repellents like hot pepper spray or dog hair.
How do I stop squirrels digging up my garden?
Squirrels can be a nuisance and will dig holes to store or recover food, or even to get at your prized bulbs. To stop squirrels digging up your garden, you can employ a range of tactics, such as using repellents, blocking access to areas, or installing barriers.
How do I get rid of ground squirrels?
For small infestations, live traps capture ground squirrels safely so you can relocate them. Bait traps with nuts, seeds, or peanut butter. Effective live trap options include: Check local laws before relocating wildlife. Release at least 10-15 miles away in a rural wooded area. Here are some of the best live traps you can use to get the job done:
Do ground squirrels dig holes in lawns?
Ground squirrels are infamous for their tendency to dig holes in random parts of a lawn. If you’ve ever been walking on your lawn and found yourself dangerously close to tripping over one of these holes, you might be wondering how to stop them.
What do squirrels dig for?
While searching for food, squirrels often dig small holes in the ground to uncover roots, bulbs, or insects that make up part of their varied diet. Squirrels are opportunistic feeders.
How do I protect my yard from squirrels?
Here are a few tips and tricks on how to squirrel proof your yard from further invasion: Debris and fallen trees are usually some of the favorite places for ground squirrels to live in. They like to use these types of objects as shelter, nesting ground, or food sources.
What are some humane ways to deter ground squirrels?
To deter ground squirrels humanely, you can use pepper spray or castor oil, decoys, hazing, or live-catch traps. In this blog, we share our professional ground squirrel control tips so you can quickly reclaim your yard. You can also use traps or baits, or even fumigation as a last resort.