The number of ground squirrels living in a single burrow can vary, but it’s usually between 6 to 10 individuals, especially during peak breeding season. These burrow systems aren’t just for one squirrel; they often house multiple adults, their pups, and even older juveniles all sharing the same tunnel network. Social species like the thirteen-lined and Franklin’s ground squirrels are known to live in colonies, which means what looks like one small hole in your yard could actually be the entrance to an entire underground community.
If you’ve spotted a ground squirrel or California ground squirrel near your home, brace yourself—it’s probably not alone. These little diggers don’t just make cozy solo holes. They build entire tunnel systems, often shared with a whole crew of furry freeloaders.
Knowing how many ground squirrels live in a burrow isn’t just a fun fact—it’s the first step to understanding the scope of the problem hiding beneath your lawn. Before you grab a shovel or try to DIY the situation, here’s what you really need to know about what’s going on underground.
Pest Control 101: Ground Squirrels and the Damage They Bring
Ground squirrels might look like chipmunks, voles or even gophers at first glance, but don’t let the charm fool you. This small mammal is more than just a lawn visitor, it’s a highly skilled excavator with a habit of moving in and taking over. While some ground squirrels are considered nuisance animal, others in the same family are actually protected as endangered species, which makes proper identification even more important toexclude protected species from any removal efforts.
Species like the 13-lined ground squirrels are seasoned diggers that spend most of their lives burrowing, nesting, and multiplying below the surface. Franklin’s ground squirrels follow a similar underground lifestyle, especially in grassland or prairie regions, where their tunnel systems can rival those of more common species. They often target small areas where soil is easy to displace, making it even harder to detect early damage. They often target small areas where soil is easy to displace, making it even harder to detect early damage.
How They Multiply: Reproduction & Lifespan
Ground squirrels reproduce quickly, often having two or more litters per year depending on the region and species. Even one litter can cause problems if left unchecked, since each can include 5 to 8 pups that mature in just a few weeks and start digging their own burrows soon after.
Most live between 3 to 6 years in the wild, with some hibernating during winter months to conserve energy and avoid predators. That short cycle means your yard can go from one ground squirrel to a small colony before you even know it’s happening.
What They Eat and Where They Settle: Habitat & Diet
Unlike tree squirrels, ground squirrels live in burrows and prefer dry, sandy soil that’s easy to tunnel through. You’ll usually find them in sunny areas like fields, lawns, golf courses, and garden beds. Their diet includes seeds, nuts, fruits, insects, and plant matter—so bird feeders, compost bins, and vegetable patches are irresistible hotspots.
In colder climates, they hibernate in their burrows until spring, relying on fat stores built up during the warmer months. When they reappear in early spring, ground squirrels immediately start foraging to rebuild energy and restore their strength. This post-hibernation period often triggers a spike in surface activity and digging. That’s why spring is one of the most active and problematic times for spotting fresh tunnels and damage in your yard.
Are Ground Squirrels Ever Helpful? Let’s Talk Benefits
As much trouble as they can cause, ground squirrels do play a minor role in certain ecosystems. Their digging helps aerate soil, and they provide food for predators like hawks, foxes, and snakes. Still, in residential areas, the risks far outweigh the benefits. Once they settle into your property, they rarely leave without causing damage, which is why removal—and not coexistence—is usually the safer option.
Where Ground Squirrels Actually Live
Ground squirrels don’t just dig simple holes they engineer full-blown neighborhoods beneath your feet. Their burrow systems are made up of long tunnels, sleeping chambers, nesting spots, burrow entrance, and even escape exits. These entry holes are typically just a few inches in diameter, but they lead to networks that can stretch up to 20 feet in length and run several feet deep, depending on soil conditions and how long they’ve been left undisturbed. Some species even use these squirrel burrows for hibernation through the colder months, staying underground for extended periods with little surface activity.
Now here’s the kicker: a single burrow system can house anywhere from 6 to 10 ground squirrels, sometimes more during peak breeding season. That’s because species like the thirteen-lined ground squirrel live in colonies, not as solitary squatters. It’s common for multiple adults, their young, and even older juveniles to share the same tunnel network. This social mammal doesn’t like to live alone, which makes the problem bigger than it looks on the surface. Their rat-sized bodies can slip easily into tight entry holes, making it even harder to notice just how many might be living underfoot.
In some cases, they’ve even been spotted burrowing through the soft ground of a local cemetery, where the quiet, undisturbed environment is perfect for tunnel-building. You might even notice a small mound of dirt near the entrance an easy-to-miss sign of much deeper activity underground. If you’re seeing holes in your yard and chalking it up to one animal, it’s time to rethink the math. That burrow could be hiding an entire family right under your foundation. In some extreme cases, especially with deeply rooted colonies, professional fumigation may be required to fully clear out the system and stop further damage.
Why Your Yard Attracts This Destructive Pest: The Ground Squirrel
If ground squirrels burrows and hang around, your property’s giving them something they want. These ground squirrels are drawn to open, sunny areas with loose, dry soil—perfect for digging without much effort. Lawns, gardens, and fields with minimal foot traffic are basically invitations to start tunneling.
They’re also big fans of easy meals. Bird feeders, fruit trees, vegetable gardens, and fallen nuts or seeds can turn your yard into an all-you-can-eat buffet for a hungry ground squirrel and its colony. Areas with dense vegetation also offer extra cover and food, making your yard even more appealing.
Even pet food left outside or compost bins with food scraps can bring them running. Other burrowing rodents like voles and gophers may share similar habitats, which can confuse homeowners trying to identify the source of the damage.
And don’t underestimate the appeal of shelter. Ground squirrels love quiet corners: under sheds, decks, porches, or woodpiles. If your property offers cover and food in one place, you’re not just getting a visit—you’re hosting a colony.
The Hidden Destruction Beneath Your Lawn: Pest Control Red Flags
Ground squirrels aren’t just making themselves at home—they’re tearing yours apart from below. Their relentless burrowing weakens soil structure, leading to sinkholes, uneven lawns, and even cracks in patios or driveways. If they’ve set up near your home’s foundation, that damage can escalate fast.
They also love chewing. From sprinkler lines and garden irrigation systems to the wiring in your shed or garage, these rodents will gnaw through almost anything. That puts your landscaping, property value, and safety at risk all thanks to a ground squirrel you might not even see half the time.
And let’s not forget what they do above ground. Ground squirrels feed on plants, vegetables, and ornamental shrubs, leaving behind bald patches and half-eaten crops. For homeowners and gardeners alike, that’s a frustrating (and expensive) mess to deal with.
Damage Prevention: How to Make Your Yard a No-Go Zone for Ground Squirrels
Before ground squirrels tear up more of your lawn, the best move is to make your yard way less inviting in the first place. While total prevention isn’t always foolproof, there are practical steps you can take right now to make your property harder to invade. Here’s how to cut off their favorite resources and discourage them from settling in.
Remove the Food Sources They Love
Keeping ground squirrels out isn’t about one big fix. It’s about stacking smart moves that make your yard way less appealing. Start by cutting off their snack supply. Clear fallen fruit, secure garbage bins, and never leave bird seed or pet food out in the open. If you’re growing veggies, use raised garden beds with protective mesh or hardware cloth to keep them out and prevent digging from below. For active areas, some homeowners also place rat-sized snap traps near entry points as a secondary line of defense.
Disrupt Their Burrowing Hotspots
Ground squirrels love soft, dry, undisturbed soil it’s prime real estate for tunneling. To deter them, compact loose dirt, trim overgrown grass, and clear low vegetation and ground cover near foundations. You can also fill abandoned holes and cover with soil to make previously used entrances less accessible and discourage re-digging in the same spots. Motion-activated sprinklers, reflective tape, and even owl decoys can help send the message loud and clear: this is not a safe place to dig in.
When DIY Prevention Isn’t Enough
If you’re already seeing burrows or signs of a colony, it’s time to think beyond simple deterrents. Store-bought bait doesn’t always work, especially when tastier options like fruit trees and bird feeders are nearby.
Some homeowners trysnap traps as a targeted method, but these require proper placement and regular checks to be effective—and they may not be practical for larger infestations. Others turn to rodenticides, gas cartridges like zinc phosphide or fumigants, but without proper handling, these can put pets, people, and even local wildlife at risk.
According to the United States Department of Agriculture, improper use of rodenticides has contributed to accidental poisonings and environmental hazards, making it critical to follow safety guidelines. Others place bait at tunnel entrances, hoping to draw squirrels out, but without a strategic plan, that rarely does the trick.
One Squirrel, Big Problem: Why Professional Control Methods Are Key
Spotting a ground squirrel above ground is like seeing the tip of an iceberg—you’re likely dealing with a full colony just beneath the surface. Once they infest a yard, their burrows aren’t just unsightly; they’re a real threat to your wiring, irrigation systems, and even your foundation.
If you’ve noticed holes, chew marks, or damage to your garden, now’s the time to act. The longer they stay, the deeper they dig and the harder they are to remove. At AAAC Wildlife Services, we don’t just trap—we inspect, evict, and prevent future infestations using humane, effective strategies tailored to your property.
Don’t wait until minor damage turns into a major repair bill. Reach out to AAAC Wildlife Removal and reclaim your yard before the squirrels claim more of it.
