Pests can range from unmistakably grotesque to nearly cute, to a few. As pests come in all sizes, shapes, and colors, they also can be destructive, harmful to health, intimidating, or some or all of these characteristics. No matter what their effects are, pests are unwelcome guests, and when you have an infestation, you need to let the professionals help you get rid of them. Ground squirrels are one of the pests that are questionable. Where they can be considered beneficial for their impact on the ecosystem, they are pests that can cause their fair share of trouble. With that in mind, we at A Five Star Termite and Pest Control would like to discuss ground squirrels.
Habitat; Where Do Ground Squirrels Live?
Ground squirrels are very common in the United States, not just in Texas. These rodents are particularly populated around farm land. Though these ground squirrels are found indifferent areas around the country, they share quite a few of the same habits and characteristics. For protection, they keep close to grassy areas and also like meadows and prairies for coverage. Ground squirrels particularly choose the ground is easy to dig like close to riverbanks as well as ponds. Since they live more comfortably in the tall grasses and open spaces, they prefer to avoid urban center and are found often congregate in suburban and rural areas. Whenever possible, ground squirrels will bypass the woodland. Public parks, golf courses, grazing pastures, and lawns are where they are frequently living when they do wonder into the suburban locations. Ground squirrels are responsible for a lot of damage because of their burrowing instincts throughout crop fields and home gardens. They are common culprits in structural or cosmetic damage of a building or other property due to the need to control the length of their teeth by constantly chewing.
Ground Squirrel Identification
Averagely, ground squirrels are about 12 inches long and weigh just over 5 ounces and these rodents are often mistaken for chipmunks. The coloring of ground squirrels range in brown and gray and have spots or stripes on their back that extend down to their short bushy tails and they feature small ears.
Ground Squirrel Damage
Property owners will find ground squirrels destroying their farmlands, gardens, and yards as they encroach on people’s land. With a notorious reputation, farmers especially are especially burdened as their in diets include the bulbs of plants and seeds. If the food or water is scarce, they will try to get inside though they are not typically interested in coming inside otherwise. When they do, it is frequently through small cavities of chimneys, vents, torn door or window screens, broken or open windows, and other such openings to gain entry to buildings. As mentioned before, their beneficial use stems partly from their diet as they will eat a lot of the harmful insects. But at the same time, they will destroy both cash crops and ornamental plants to satisfy their bellies and so they are classified as pests. Mowing can be problematic, the structure’s foundation can be left weaken, and the tree’s roots can dehydrate due the ground squirrel’s burrowing habits and the abundant holes they leave behind. In addition to the damage they can, especially over time, they bring additional pest problems with them and health concerns with it as they are commonly hosts for parasitic ticks, lice, mites, and fleas.
Ground Squirrel Inspections, Control, Removal & More in Canyon Lake, Spring Branch, Bulverde, Timberwood Park, Leon Valley, Alamo Heights, New Braunfels, Selma, Live Oak, Converse, Universal City, Cibolo, Seguin, New Berlin, St Hedwig, Adkins, La Vernia, Elmendorf, Losoya, Von Ormy, Macdona & San Antonio, Texas
To help reduce the damage done on your grounds, reduce the areas they can hide on by keeping the grass short and landscaping well manicured, remove the debris, and remove the brush piles to limit the hiding places. The professionals A Five Star Termite and Pest Control can respond to your ground squirrel infestation. If you have discovered ground squirrels or other pests, call in the professionals of A-Tex Pest Management.
