Ground Squirrel Control in Southern California

Professional Ground Squirrel Removal — Chemical-Free, Pet-Safe

California ground squirrels are one of the most damaging pests in Southern California. Unlike gophers and moles, ground squirrels are highly visible — active above ground throughout the day — but their underground burrow systems cause damage that is just as destructive, and their social nature means populations can grow rapidly if left untreated.

Rodent Guys provides professional ground squirrel control throughout Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, and Riverside counties using chemical-free trapping methods. No rodenticide. No poison. Safe for dogs, cats, raptors, and children.

Ground Squirrel Damage

California ground squirrels cause several types of property damage:

Burrow systems that undermine foundations, retaining walls, concrete slabs, and slopes

Garden destruction — ground squirrels eat vegetables, fruits, bulbs, bark, and ornamental plants above and below ground

Lawn damage from burrow excavation and foraging activity

Trip and liability hazards from open burrow entrances and surface tunnels

Chewed irrigation lines and utility wiring

Ground squirrel burrow systems can extend 5-30 feet and reach 6 feet deep. A colony can destabilize slopes and undermine structures that appear completely unaffected above ground.

Why Ground Squirrel Control Is Different

Ground squirrels are fundamentally different from gophers and moles in ways that affect treatment:

Social animals: Ground squirrels live in colonies. Eliminating one individual does not solve the problem — the colony remains and continues to reproduce and expand. Highly mobile: Ground squirrels range widely above ground and can move from neighboring properties after treatment. New individuals move into vacated territories quickly. No guarantee: Because of their mobility and social nature, Rodent Guys does not offer a guarantee on ground squirrel control service. Ongoing management is typically required for properties with persistent pressure.

Ground Squirrel Trapping — Our Method

Rodent Guys uses professional trapping for ground squirrel control. Traps are placed at active burrow entrances and along travel corridors. For established colonies, multiple trapping visits are required to address the full population.

We do not use rodenticide or poison bait. Secondary poisoning of raptors and pets from rodenticide-contaminated ground squirrels is a well-documented problem in Southern California, and we will not contribute to it.

Ground Squirrel vs Gopher — Which Do You Have?

Ground squirrels are visible above ground during the day — if you are seeing a brown, spotted rodent about 9-11 inches long sitting upright near dirt mounds or running across your property, that is a ground squirrel.

Gophers are almost never seen above ground. If you are seeing mounds but no animals, you almost certainly have gophers. See our identification guide for help confirming which pest you have.

Schedule Ground Squirrel Control

Rodent Guys provides ground squirrel control throughout Southern California. Call 909-599-4711 for same-week service or to discuss an ongoing management program for your property.

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