Are Ground Squirrels Good For Your Yard?

Ground squirrels can improve soil aeration and support local predators, but they’re not exactly low-impact tenants. Their constant digging can damage plant roots, irrigation lines, and even undermine patios or walkways if left unchecked. If you like your yard tidy and your garden intact, they’re more of a problem than a perk.

Ground squirrels are becoming a familiar sight in yards across suburban and rural areas, often spotted lounging near burrows or darting through gardens. While some homeowners find them harmless or even charming, others deal with chewed plants, crumbling soil, and unexpected lawn damage.

In this guide, you’ll learn the real impact ground squirrels can have on your yard, what they help, what they harm, and how to decide if it’s time to let them stay or show them the way out.

What Ground Squirrels Actually Do in a Yard

Ground squirrels spend most of their day digging, feeding, and keeping watch from the safety of their burrow entrances. Their burrowing behavior creates an underground network of tunnels used for shelter, food storage, and raising young. 

These tunnels can extend several feet below the surface and often connect to multiple exit holes scattered across a yard or open field.

Above ground, they forage for seeds, roots, and vegetation, occasionally nibbling on garden plants or grass. While they don’t dig as deep as gophers, their constant soil disturbance can leave mounds, depressions, and soft spots that disrupt landscaping and weaken soil structure over time.

The Good and the Bad: Are Ground Squirrels Helping or Harming Your Yard?

Ground squirrels can bring unexpected benefits to your yard, but those perks often come with a heavy trade-off. To decide if they’re worth keeping around, it’s important to weigh the upsides against the real risks they pose.

Pros of Having Ground Squirrels Around

1. Natural Soil Aeration – Ground squirrels naturally break up compacted soil as they dig, improving airflow and water absorption across the top layers. This supports healthier root growth and boosts microbe activity in uncultivated zones. Their digging also mimics light tilling in wild or unmanaged areas. It’s a low-effort bonus for hands-off yards with wild patches.

2. Prey Source for Native Predators – As a common food source, ground squirrels help support hawks, owls, snakes, and other native predators. Their presence strengthens the local food web, especially in rural or semi-wild areas. Encouraging this balance can reduce rodent outbreaks and keep predator activity natural. In large or wooded properties, it helps maintain a functioning ecosystem.

3. Mild Organic Fertilization – Their droppings contribute organic material back into the soil, slowly releasing nutrients like nitrogen and potassium. This creates a passive compost effect, particularly in zones they frequent. While not a substitute for fertilizers, it improves microbial activity in untouched corners of the yard. It’s a subtle but steady gain in natural areas.

4. Seed Dispersal from Foraging Habits – Ground squirrels help spread seeds by burying food that they often forget to retrieve. This leads to unexpected sprouting of native plants in surrounding areas. The result can be more wild grasses, brush, or even hardy flowers depending on your location. For rewilded or naturalist gardens, it adds unexpected variety.

5. Burrow Habitats for Other Wildlife – Vacated ground squirrel burrows often become shelter for lizards, snakes, frogs, and beneficial insects. These spaces offer protection from predators and temperature swings. In larger yards or edge habitats, this recycling of tunnels supports broader biodiversity. It’s a quiet benefit that builds after the squirrels move out.

Cons: The Real Damage Ground Squirrels Can Cause

1. Destruction of Lawns and Turf – Their tunnels and surface mounds damage grass, leave soft spots, and create hazards in otherwise flat lawns. Foot traffic over weakened areas can collapse soil and kill turf. This is especially frustrating in high-use yards with kids or pets. Over time, entire patches may turn patchy or uneven.

2. Damage to Garden Beds and Plants – Ground squirrels often dig through garden beds in search of food, disrupting roots and soil structure. They eat shoots, seedlings, and leafy greens, stunting plant growth. Their constant activity can ruin vegetable plots or ornamental plants. Once a garden becomes a food source, they’ll keep coming back.

3. Undermining of Structures and Hardscaping – Burrows near patios, fences, or foundations shift soil beneath key structures. This can cause cracking, tilting, or instability in walkways and decks. Irrigation systems may also be compromised if tunnels break through wet zones. Even slow damage adds up quickly once a colony is settled in.

4. Attraction of Fleas, Ticks, and Other Pests – Ground squirrels can carry fleas and ticks, posing a risk to pets and people. Their scent trails and food remnants attract other nuisance animals like snakes, rats, and insects. These secondary pests may settle in sheds, under decks, or near homes. Left unmanaged, it becomes a layered pest issue.

5. Legal and Neighborhood Conflicts – Some areas have regulations on trapping, relocating, or harboring ground squirrels. Their burrows may extend into neighboring yards, leading to shared damage and complaints. Homeowners’ associations often have strict rules on visible lawn damage or pest control. Even if you’re fine with them, your neighbors might not be.

Signs Ground Squirrels Are Wearing Out Their Welcome

A few ground squirrels here and there might not be a problem, but once their activity starts shifting your soil and wrecking your garden, it’s time to pay closer attention. These signs help you determine when they’ve crossed the line from wildlife guest to destructive tenant.

– Visible Burrow Clusters in High-Traffic Areas

Multiple burrow entrances near patios, fences, or sheds indicate the colony is spreading into managed spaces. This increases the chance of soil collapse, foundation issues, or pest conflicts near your home. When they stop hiding in corners and start nesting near structures, it’s a red flag.

– Large Dirt Mounds and Sagging Soil

Their tunneling often creates loose, unstable patches that feel soft underfoot. Raised dirt piles around entry holes can spread across lawns or garden beds. If the ground shifts beneath your steps or mower, the damage is already underway.

– Chewed Plants and Missing Seedlings

Ground squirrels love fresh greens, especially in vegetable gardens or flower beds. If you’re finding nibbled stems or full plants disappearing overnight, it’s a strong sign they’ve made your garden their pantry. Persistent feeding indicates they’re no longer occasional visitors.

– Displaced Lawn Features or Fence Posts

Burrowing beneath structures can shift irrigation lines, cause fence posts to lean, or create dips in your landscape. Over time, these small disruptions become expensive to repair. When physical structures start shifting, squirrel activity is no longer harmless.

– Other Wildlife or Pest Activity Increases

Their tunnels can attract snakes, insects, or other rodents looking for shelter. You may notice increased animal droppings, scratching noises, or pests gathering near burrow sites. When their presence invites unwanted guests, it’s a clear sign your yard’s balance is off.

Keeping Ground Squirrels Out of Your Garden Without Losing Your Sanity

If ground squirrels have turned your garden into a personal buffet, you’re not alone. While they’re persistent, a few targeted strategies can make your yard far less appealing without causing harm.

Use Physical Barriers That Actually Work

Install hardware cloth or galvanized mesh around raised beds and dig it at least 12 inches underground to block tunneling. Standard chicken wire isn’t strong enough, squirrels chew through it or squeeze between gaps. 

A well-installed barrier stops most entry without relying on repellents or traps. For maximum protection, pair fencing with a secure garden cover or netting.

Remove Attractants and Keep the Area Clean

Don’t leave food scraps, bird seed, or pet food near your garden or shed. These easy snacks attract ground squirrels and encourage them to settle in. Clean up fallen fruit, harvest ripe produce promptly, and store compost in sealed containers. The less they find, the faster they move on.

Apply Scent-Based Repellents Strategically

Ground squirrels dislike strong smells like castor oil, garlic, or predator urine. Use commercial repellents or DIY mixtures and reapply them after rain or heavy watering. Focus on burrow entrances, garden borders, and high-traffic digging spots. While not foolproof, scent barriers are useful in combination with other methods.

Try Motion or Sound Deterrents

Motion-activated sprinklers and ultrasonic repellents can startle and discourage squirrels from entering. These devices work best in open areas where squirrels don’t have cover to hide. Over time, they may adapt, so occasional repositioning helps maintain effectiveness. They’re most useful as part of a multi-layered approach.

When to Call Wildlife Control Professionals

If a colony is growing or causing structural damage, it’s time to consult a licensed wildlife removal expert. Some states require permits for trapping or relocating ground squirrels. Professionals can assess the situation, offer humane removal options, and help seal entry points long-term. DIY efforts only go so far when populations get out of control.

Final Verdict: Should You Keep Them Around or Show Them the Door?

Ground squirrels bring both benefits and burdens to a yard, depending on how many show up and where they decide to dig. While their natural behaviors support soil health and local ecosystems, their burrows and feeding habits can easily spiral into costly damage. 

Gardens, lawns, and even structures are at risk when colonies expand unchecked. The key is recognizing when their presence shifts from tolerable to problematic. With the right knowledge and a few smart steps, you can keep your yard thriving, without letting the squirrels take over.