How to Get Rid of Ground Squirrels (2023): Everything You Need to Know

Are you also done with the burrows all around your garden area and home because of those tiny squirrels? Yes? So, do not worry anymore as we have the most effective answer to the highly asked question of how to get rid of ground squirrels so that your surroundings always look tidy and mess-free.

The destruction done by these creatures is very fast and often which can make the ground look dead, untidy, or uneven if the required action is not followed as soon as possible. From using sprays to setting traps, there are multiple solutions to this issue. So, to know about them more specifically, read the complete article with patience. 

What do ground squirrels mean?

There are a total of 285 species of squirrels discovered to date and out of them around 62 are ground squirrels. Their appearances have very tiny differences from others which majorly include non-bushy or brown fur and white striped tail. 

They spent half of their life in burrowing digs which vary from 5 feet to 20 feet deep. Their purpose behind burrowing is to make shelters, eat, sleep, hibernate, or stay away from predators. Ground squirrels’ diet includes green grass, fruits, insects, seeds, and more.  

What are the damages done by ground squirrels?

Ground squirrels are very active in terms of creating trouble or mess everywhere. The most common damages done by them are mentioned below:

• Dirty entrance around the base of any tree, plant, or pipe. 
• Multiple deep burrows ranging from 5 feet to 20 feet long.
• Marks of teeth or chewing on the furniture or other exposed material.
• Broken irrigation system.
• Uneven and untidy ground because of holes.
• Destruction of plants, trees, herbs, or shrubs. 
• Uprooted or weaker base of the ground. 
• Chewed roots, fruits, seeds, or more.  

How to Get Rid of Ground Squirrels?

Now, it is high time to read about the different tips, tricks, or solutions that can help you get freedom from the troubles created by these tiny ground squirrels. Without any ado, let’s dive in!

1. Grow a few repellent plants 

Ground squirrels do not like the smell, structure, or taste of a few plants and stay away from those areas as they become the least interested in going there. 

Those plants mainly consist of onion, mint, garlic, daffodils, crown imperials, holly leaves, and more. So, to get rid of those squirrels the best and safest way is to grow these plants all around your house boundaries or garden area to keep them miles away. 

2. Install physical barriers 

Using blockades like wooden planks or metal wire sheets for fencing the garden area or yard is one of the best answers to how to get rid of ground squirrels. 

For this, all you have to do is install the fencing around 12 inches deep to avoid burrowing and around 3 feet above the ground to avoid their climbing. This will make the entry of ground squirrels in your property way too difficult. Lastly, also make sure to use good quality barriers so that they cannot destroy that to cross the boundaries. 

3. Hang ammonia-soaked rags

The odor of ammonia is very offensive to ground squirrels and if you hang some ammonia-soaked rags or pieces of cloth around the house then for sure no squirrel will try to come inside. 

The substitute for this is apple cider vinegar as it is more natural and safer than ammonia. Also, make sure to soak the rags again after rain or a few weeks later as they wash out. Lastly, keep these rags away from the reach of kids and pets. 

4. Set up predator decoys

The greatest predators of ground squirrels are owls and snakes which make them less likely to come around in certain areas. 

You do not need to pet those animals/predators for real because the decoys or imitations also work the same. All you have to do is set up 4-5 owl or snake decoys around the garden area and change the positions from time to time so that the squirrels do not get used to them or the threat keeps being maintained. 

5. Pets

Dogs and cats have the habit of chasing tiny creatures like butterflies, birds, ground squirrels, and more which results in less interference of them in that area. 

So, to get rid of ground squirrels, all you have to do is let your pets roam in the garden area and chase the squirrels a bit so that their threat keeps being maintained and they stay away from your beautiful garden. Lastly, make sure that your pets are completely vaccinated so that the risk of spreading any disease becomes least in any situation. 

6. Spray the predators’ urine

The most unique answer to the question of how to get rid of ground squirrels is to sprinkle or spray the urine of their predators who are wolves, foxes, and more. 

The urine granules or sprays can be arranged very easily as it is available in markets or vet shops. Make sure to read the instructions and expiry dates along with re-applying the same after rain or a fixed period of time so that the effect remains as it was. 

7. Use natural sprays

You can easily buy capsaicin pepper, castor oil, or garlic spray from the market whose odor repels ground squirrels because of their sharp smell. 

For this, all you have to do is spray that product all around your garden area or the foundation of the house and wait for the squirrels to vanish. The best part is that they are not harmful to humans and keep the soil minerals maintained. You can also make the spray on your own by mixing 12 hours of soaked ginger into water and the dishwasher. 

8. Get some commercial products

These days the markets have solutions for everything which means you can easily buy some chemically formulated commercial products made specially to get rid of ground squirrels. 

They can be in any form like spray, powder, granules, mats, gels, or more which actually helps in repelling those tiny creatures from your boundaries. These products are affordable, tried, and tested to give the best results. Most of them are non-toxic but reading the user manual or instructions is a must.

9. Set up traps everywhere

The most traditional and oldest answer to how to get rid of ground squirrels is to set up mats or traps in their roaming area with some bait to attract them.  

Although trapping squirrels is a bit difficult because of their extreme attentiveness and suspicious nature. The traps are of different types ranging from catch and release to conibear and snap which can be used seamlessly. Their bait mainly consists of sunflower seeds, peanut butter, fruits, or vegetables.

10. Take the assistance from professionals

If you do not want to hustle a lot or have tried almost every solution but still not getting rid of ground squirrels then asking the professional is the best idea for you. 

These pest control experts are trained, licensed, and equipped with all the required things to remove those troublemakers from your garden. They have specific stages of execution which make sure that no squirrel is left behind. Lastly, they also give tips or remedies for further needs related to the same.  

What are the tips for prevention from ground squirrels?

Although there is nothing that can give a hundred percent guarantee to keep the squirrels away from your property. But the below-mentioned points can be really helpful and work best as a precaution from the same.  So, let’s begin!

• Make sure to remove dead or fallen trees, plants, or debris from your area.
• Should remove birdbaths, ponds, or other water resources from the garden. 
• Keep the fruits and vegetables inside or out of their reach.
• Fill all the holes or block the open passages.
• Remove their dens or shelters.  

Conclusion

Above we shared a brief guide answering how to get rid of ground squirrels so that your fruits, vegetables, garden, or foundation never look messy and stay as beautiful as you want them to be. 

You can try any of the above-mentioned solutions to get freedom from ground squirrels or opt for professional assistance anytime to make this hassle-free for you. Each way has its own pros and cons so make sure to choose wisely. If you want any further help or have queries to ask then please them with us through the comment box mentioned below. 

FAQs

1. How to get rid of ground squirrels?

You can use sprays, physical barriers, traps, professional help, predator decoys, grow-repelling plants, and more to get freedom from ground squirrels. 

2. What are some precautionary tips to keep the ground squirrels away?

Some common tips for precautions include removing squirrels’ shelters, water resources, fruits, and vegetables from the garden area. Apart from that, fencing of your boundaries can also help. 

3. Which is the best way to get freedom from ground squirrels?

Asking for the professional’s help is the best solution when it comes to vanishing these tiny creatures from your property as these pest control experts are trained, licensed, and fully equipped.