They will also create bald patches around your yard with their grazing. Ground squirrels will gnaw the plastic heads of underground sprinklers, chew through sprinkler lines, and damage irrigation boxes. Ground squirrel burrows have also been known to divert irrigation water and cause flooding or damage to water retention systems. Even worse, it may impact the stability of your structure. When ground squirrels excavate under buildings, it can cause foundation cracks and soil erosion that is hard to fix. Unsightly burrowsĪs ground squirrels dig their burrows, they excavate soil and rock to the surface and leave it in mounds near the entrances to their burrows.Įach year, they enlarge their burrow systems and the mounds associated with them, which can make harvesting crops mechanically or using small equipment (like lawnmowers) difficult. They also consume crops like alfalfa, lettuce, and berries and can girdle or kill trees by gnawing on bark and limbs or damaging a tree’s roots underground, which leaves the tree vulnerable to fungal infections. Since ground squirrels can climb trees and vines to eat fruit and nuts, they can destroy grapes and other crops and eliminate harvests. Ground squirrels eat whole seedlings, nibble the tops of vegetables, and eat fruits and berries, thus destroying your vegetable garden. Ground squirrels are bad for your yard because of the following reasons: 1. What Damage Do Ground Squirrels Cause?ĭon’t let their small size fool you. They prefer open, grassy areas with light, dry soil and plenty of available food nearby. Ground squirrels like to live in large, grassy areas that provide plenty of unimpeded space for their excavation. Green vegetation (including plant and flower buds)įish ponds, birdbaths, and streams also provide squirrels with food and water sources.Fruit (especially gooseberries and prickly pear).They’ll also begin to search for and store a variety of foods, including the following: When they come out of hibernation, they’ll gravitate toward green grasses and herbaceous plants.Īs the season progresses and annual plants begin to dry out and produce seeds, squirrels will start consuming more grains, nuts, and seeds. Ground squirrels are primarily herbivorous, and what they eat depends on the season. Here are a few of the biggest culprits: 1. One of the best ways to deal with a ground squirrel infestation is to understand what’s drawing them to your property in the first place. What Attracts Ground Squirrels to My Yard?
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