How To Get Rid Of Ground Squirrels: 10 Proven Solutions!

How to Get Rid of Ground Squirrels is a common challenge for many homeowners but with the right approach?

As the famous saying goes, “The measure of intelligence is the ability to change.”

Here you need to change the order of your home to tackle this pressing issue. First, feel the problem, know the intent, and pick the strategy wisely!

But what are those strategies, don’t worry here on we will take the lead.

Check the detailed insights on how you can get rid of ground squirrels and create a harmonious space across you!

Firstly,

Discover What's Inside

What Are Ground Squirrels?

Ground squirrels are small to medium-sized rodents that belong to the family of the Sciuridae.

The main living habits of these rodents are burrowing holes in the colonies.

They feed on food residues, fruits, nuts, seeds, small insects, and also vegetation.

Ground squirrels are social animals that can communicate with vocalization and body signs.

What Attracts Ground Squirrels?

There are a multitude of reasons that attract ground squirrels here are the main factors:

1. Food Sources

Ground Squirrels have the habit of feeding on a variety of food resources.

If your place has a variety of trees with different fruits and nuts consider there will be the nesting sites of these rodents.

2. Shelter and Cover

If the situation looks safe for the shelter and cover, they make the conditions favorable to stay.

For instance, the tall grass, dense vegetation, garden, rock piles, and even the wood stacks.

These are all ideal for them to stay and burrow holes.

3. Water Sources

ground squirrel drinking water — By Pixels

They need water to survive, so if the premises have abundant water availability they readily take their place.

For example, if your vicinity has bird baths, small ponds, and even leaky faucets will support their lifestyle.

4. Burrowing Opportunities

Ground squirrels are good burrowing agents, so if your environment has burrowing systems then they will infest.

It can be loose soil, clay, minimal rocks, less rot obstructions, and also soft vegetation.

5. Warm, Sunny Spots

Ground squirrels usually prefer warm and sunny spots to maintain their thermoregulation.

If your premises have decent sunny spots and moisture, then the place can be ideal as their new home.

Why Are Ground Squirrels a Problem?

Yes! Ground squirrels can be a problem if their population is extending all across.

Here are the top 5 reasons:

1. Extensive Burrowing: They create numerous holes which can damage your garden, lawns, and the vegetation,

2. Structural Damage: Ground squirrels also burrow the undermined foundations, and sidewalks and damage the pipelines which need an expensive fix.

3. Excessive Consumption: With more count, they feed incessantly on all your resources making significant financial losses.

4. Diseases and Parasites: They can carry disease-causing parasites and diseases that can spread to your pets and kids.

5. Rapid Population Growth: They have prolific breeding habits that can rapidly increase their count in months.

How To Identify Ground Squirrels Around Your Home?

Here is how to identify ground squirrels around your home:

Burrows: Observe the small circular holes with mounds of dirt covered around them.
Gnaw Marks: You can check the signs of gnawing on wooden structures, gardens, and wires.
Droppings: Notice small, cylindrical droppings around the lawns and near the burrow entrances.
Footprints: Look for small, four-toed footprints near burrows or feeding areas.
Sightings: Observe their behavior; ground squirrels are often seen foraging or basking in sunny spots.

Natural Remedies To Get Rid Of Ground Squirrels

Always try to prefer the natural remedies to get rid of ground squirrels as this is safer for both ends:

1. Hot Pepper Spray On Ground Squirrels

How To Use: You need to blend 2-3 hot pepper with warm water and add a few drops of dish soap liquid. Strain this liquid and spray it around your lawn and the burrow entrances.
Effectiveness: The capsaicin in the hot pepper will irritate the squirrels; feel the threat, and leave.

2. Epsom Salt To Get Rid Of Ground Squirrels

How To Use: Take a pinch of flavored Epsom salt and sprinkle it all across the entranceways.
Effectiveness: Epsom salt has a bitterness that on taste can discourage the squirrels from moving into the area.

3. Essential Oils On Ground Squirrels

How To Use: Take a small cotton ball dipped in essential oils like peppermint or eucalyptus and place them in different locations where you find traces of ground squirrels.
Effectiveness: The saturated essential oil-scented cotton balls can act as one of the finest natural remedies for ground squirrels and keep them away.

4. Garlic And Onion Mix

How To Use: Though it feels like this is a simple ground squirrel deterrent, this works very fine. Just you need to blend garlic and onion in water and sprinkle all around.
Effectiveness: The strong odor of this mixture can repel the ground squirrels and this needs to be reapplied periodically.

5. Home Grade Ammonia

How To Use: You need to soak the rags or the cotton ball in home-grade ammonia and place it in strategic areas like burrow pits and water pots.
Effectiveness: The strong pungent smell of the ammonia mimics the predators and repels all ground squirrels.

6. Blood Meal To Get Rid Of Ground Squirrels

how to get rid of ground squirrels using blood meal — By Wavehooks

How To Use: Just keep organic blood meal in the bowl, if not attended, you can also sprinkle in yard premises.
Effectiveness: The bloodmeal has high nitrogen and a strong scent this can act as a natural deterrent for the ground squirrels.

7. Blood Horns and Hooves

How To Use: You can simply purchase ground blood horns and the hooves from the feed store and scatter them in the affected areas.
Effectiveness: The strong odor of these hooves and the horns can mimic the predator and repel all rodents.

8. Cucumber Peels And Mustard Powder

How To Use: Just mix a few cucumber peels with the mustard powder and spread them all over your place.
Effectiveness: The strong essence of the mustard powder will spread in no time, irritating the ground squirrels to leave their holes.

9. Lemon Juice And Mint Leaves

How To Use: You need to crush a few mint leaves mix it with the lemon juice and add to a spray bottle. Add mustard powder for effectiveness and spray in all places.
Effectiveness: The scent of mint mixed with the mustard flavor creates a sense of threat to the ground squirrels.

10. Scented Dryer Sheets With Soap Bars

How To Use: Never throw away your leftover soap bars wrap them up with the scented dryer sheets and place them in multiple places.

Effectiveness: Ground squirrels perceive these deterrents as potential food residues. Upon tasting them, they associate the scent or taste with danger, which can prompt them to avoid the area. Additionally, their negative experience may signal other rodents to stay away.

Homemade poison for ground squirrels

If natural ways not working and infestation is increasing you can try poisoning the ground squirrels using follows methods.

1. Calcium Carbonate Bait

How To Make: Here you need to combine the calcium carbonate with the cornmeal or the wheat flour. Add a few drops of vinegar also to this and finally dice this mixture with the food essence.
Effectiveness: After placing them in the infested regions, the Calcium Carbonate can disrupt the digestion power of the ground squirrels and create a strong call of alarm to the other rodents.

2. Sodium Fluoride and Peanut Butter Paste

How To Make: Mix a small amount of sodium fluoride and mix it with a decent amount of peanut butter and add this to the garden area.
Effectiveness: Sodium-rich food bait can show a high effect on brain functioning and eventually kill the ground squirrel.

3. Boric Acid and Oatmeal Bait

How To Use: Get some boric acid and mix it well with 1:4 quantity in the oatmeal and fix the mixture in all the locations.
Effectiveness: Boric acid not only for ants but also with its hydrogen boric essence will act as a strong deterring agent for preventing ground squirrels

Precautionary Method: Prefer wearing gloves and a nose mask while preparing this homemade poison for ground squirrels. Ensure that the bait is placed in areas inaccessible to pets and small children to prevent accidental exposure.

Physical Barriers To Get Rid Of Ground Squirrels

If you don’t like all the methods to be followed, here are a few physical barriers to get rid of ground squirrels in your area:

1. Mesh Wire Fencing

How To Use: You should install 1/4-inch or smaller mesh wire around your garden, extending at least 12 inches above the ground. Additionally, ensure the mesh extends at least 12 inches below the surface to prevent ground squirrels from burrowing underneath.
Effectiveness: The small openings will help the garden with air circulation and also stop the rodents to dig or enter.

2. Cedar or Redwood Boards

How To Use: Here you need to take slightly thin cedar or redwood with a thickness of 1-3 inches and create a strong barrier around your garden beds. The placement should be vertical to the ground and deeply embedded to prevent digging.
Effectiveness: The cedar or the redwood will emit a strong scent upon reacting with the moisture which acts as a strong natural deterrent for the ground squirrels.

3. Electric Fencing

How To Use: Install a low-voltage electric fence around the vicinity of your garden or yard. This needs to be at least 12-20 inches tall and secured.
Effectiveness: The mild electric shocks can deter not only the ground squirrels but also other climbing creatures.

Trapping And Relocation To Get Rid Of Ground Squirrels

Not all like to harm the ground squirrels, I usually prefer trapping and relocation to get rid of ground squirrels and mice. Here is what you need to do:

Choose the Right Trap: Use the best-designed traps to cage the ground squirrels and spacious enough to breathe.
Bait the Trap: Place food baits inside the cage like seeds, nuts, and fruits, and position the bait to catch the squirrels.
Monitor the Trap: Check the trap frequently to ensure captured squirrels are not attended to for extended periods.
Release Safely: Make sure to release them at least 10-20 miles away from your area, as they might return if released closer.

5 Preventive Measures To Get Rid Of Ground Squirrels

Here are 5 simple yet effective measures to get rid of ground squirrels:

1. Remove Food Sources: keep the food sources away like bird feeders, pet pots, water containers, and seed traps.

2. Maintain Yard Cleanliness: Maintain your yard by regularly cleaning the fallen fruits, nuts, and seeds from your garden and lawn to reduce food availability.

3. Seal Entry Points: Close any gaps or openings in buildings, sheds, or garages to prevent squirrels from entering.

4. Contain Vegetation: Keep the shrubs, tall grass, and vegetation well-trimmed and reduce the nesting possibilities.

5. Install Motion-Activated Sprinklers: You can use motion-sensor water sprinklers that will deter the ground squirrels’ entry.

Final Note!

So, it effectively managing and preventing the entry of the ground squirrels can keep your area in order.

The sequence for this is to protect by physical barriers and then use natural deterrents.

If none is working you can go with the other alternative techniques to get rid of ground squirrels.

As it is always evident prevention is better than cure, so maintain the squirrel-free environment with proper care and attention.

Frequently Asked Questions On How To Get Rid Of Ground Squirrels

ground squirrel peeking from tree — By Pixels

1. What is the best way to get rid of ground squirrels?

The best way to get rid of ground squirrels is to combine physical barriers with the natural deterrent and sanitation.

2. Are ground squirrels dangerous?

Ground squirrels can cause property damage and spread diseases but are not generally dangerous to humans.

3. How can I humanely get rid of ground squirrels?

Use live traps for relocation and natural deterrents like peppermint oil to gently discourage ground squirrels.

4. What is the best ground squirrel deterrent?

The best deterrent combines physical barriers with strong-smelling substances like hot pepper or peppermint oil.

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