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Spermophilus beecheyi
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1. Ground Squirrels: Â (Some time called Gophers)
Ground squirrel, such as thirteen-lined ground squirrel, California ground squirrel are common pests in and around building foundations, lawns, golf courses and gardens. They can be distinguished from tree squirrels by their shorter and less bushy tails ad by the fact that they live underground.
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Trapping is effective for removing small infestations. Rat snap traps are effective for the large species. Traps should be placed near burrow entrances. If rat snap traps are used outdoor, they should be covered with box to prevent harming any non target wild life. Â
 2. Tree Squirrels:
Various species of tree squirrels occasionally enter buildings and cause damage. The most commonly encountered pest tree squirrels include the Gray Squirrel, Red squirrel and Fox Squirrel.
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The first step in managing tree squirrels is to determine how the squirrels are entering the building and then make every effort to exclude them. Area to pay to particular attention to include utility lines, drainpipes, uncapped chimneys, ivy and other ornamental plants that cling to the house and attic or basement vents and windows in disrepair. Tree squirrels will also occasionally gnaw straight through the exterior of some buildings, such as cedar-shingled homes, to gain entry. All existing openings should be sealed with sheet metal or 1/2 –inch hardware cloth.
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Squirrels frequently gain access to buildings from overhanging tree limbs. In these situations, all limbs should be pruned back 10 feet or more, so that squirrel cannot reach the building. Squirrels can be kept from climbing trees by placing a two foot-wide metal band around tree trunk, three to four feet above ground-although this may be aesthetically unacceptable in many cases.
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The smaller tree squirrel (red squirrel & Flying squirrels) in building can be kill-trapped with ordinary rat sized snap traps. Traps should be baited but unset for a couple of days to condition the squirrels to feed readily from the trap. Once this occurs, the same baits should tie to the trigger. The trap itself should be nailed or secured with wire to prevent the squirrels from dragging it away. Any of the various nut meats, sunflower seeds, fresh orange slices, sweet corn or oat meal is attractive baits for tree squirrels. Snap traps should never be used outdoors unless placed under cover, as non-target animals, including birds can be killed. Snap traps are somewhat undependable and in humane to be used against the larger tree squirrel species.
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Where squirrel cannot be killed, live trapping is usually the preferred method of control (Havahart Cage Trap Model 1078 Animal Trap). Traps should be placed, unset (i.e. with doors wired open) until the squirrels become accustomed to them. Baits placed by the traps will attract the squirrel to them. Once they have become accustomed to the traps, a few setting will usually capture enough squirrels to eliminate the problem.
Good location to place live traps includes the bases of tree, roof areas or immediately inside or outside the opening of the attic or area into which the squirrels are gaining entry.
All traps should be checked at least once, and preferably twice, a day to remove (five mile from the trap site) live trapped animals as soon as possible after their capture. Never, never attempt to handle a live-trapped squirrel, as they are vicious biters and possess extremely sharp teeth and powerful claws.
Manufacturer Recommended Products And Treatment For Squirrel Control
Pests need food, water, and shelter. Often the problem may be solved just by removing these key items. Before even thinking about chemical pest control, it is important to be aware of
Conducive Condition | Recommendation | |
1 | Tree branches on house | Keep tree branches away from house to reduce pest access |
2 | Firewood next to foundation | Keep firewood away from house to reduce pest harborage |
3 | Debris on crawlspace/next to foundation | Remove wood debris to reduce termite ha rborage area |
4 | Excessive plant cover, stump, etc. | Providing spacing between plant cover and structure |
5 | Soil above the foundation Ii ne | Keep soil below top of foundation to reduce harbo rage areas |
6 | Wood-to-ground contact | Keep soil from touching wood to eliminate termite access |
7 | Debris on roof/full gutter | Keep gutter & roof free of debris to reduce insect harborage |
8 | Standi ng water near/under structure | Eliminate standing water to reduce pest harbo rage |
9 | Mo isture problem under structure | Increase ventilation to reduce pest harbo rage area |
10 | Openi ngs at plumbi ng & electronics | Seal opening to reduce pest access |
11 | Excessive gaps at windows/doors | Seal gaps to reduce pest access |
12 | Lea ky plumb ing fixtures | Repair to reduce moisture for pests |
13 | Keep garbage cans covered | Covered to reduce attraction of insects of vertebrate pests |
14 | Mo isture damage wood | Repair rotten or damaged wood to reduce insect harborage |
15 | Grocery bags stored improperly | Seal paper sacks in containers to reduce i nsect ha rborage areas |
16 | Pet food unsealed or left out | Keep pet food in sealed containers and unavailable to pests |
17 | Excessive storage conditions | Keep storage areas uncluttered and manageable |
18 | Debris below kick plates | Remove kick plates to reduce rodent harborage |
Product Type
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