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Managing 13-lined ground squirrels requires understanding their behavior and implementing strategies to protect your property. These small, striped rodents are typically found in grasslands and open areas and can cause damage by digging burrows and feeding on garden plants.
Preventing Burrowing and Damage: To prevent 13-lined ground squirrels from digging and causing damage, it's important to make your property less appealing to them. Start by reducing their food sources—keep garden areas well-maintained, and remove any fallen fruit or seeds that might attract them. Installing barriers such as underground mesh fencing around garden beds can help prevent them from accessing the area. The mesh should be buried at least 12 inches deep to prevent burrowing.
Habitat Modification: Modify the habitat around your property to make it less attractive to these squirrels. Maintain a well-mowed lawn and remove dense vegetation, brush piles, or tall grasses that can provide cover and nesting sites. Keeping the area around your home clear of potential nesting sites can reduce the likelihood of them establishing a burrow near your property.
Trapping and Control: For existing infestations, trapping can be an effective method of control. Live traps, baited with attractive food such as sunflower seeds or peanut butter, can capture the squirrels humanely. Place the traps near active burrows or feeding areas. Once captured, relocate the squirrels to a suitable environment far from your property. If trapping is not successful or if there is a larger population, consulting a professional wildlife control expert may be necessary.
Repellents and Deterrents: Using repellents and deterrents can also help manage 13-lined ground squirrels. Commercial repellents or homemade solutions, such as a mixture of hot pepper and water, can be sprayed around the perimeter of garden beds or burrow entrances. Motion-activated sprinklers or ultrasonic deterrents can also startle and discourage these rodents from frequenting your property.