Yes, it’s bad to have ground squirrels in your yard, especially if they’re left unchecked. These burrowing rodents can cause serious property damage by digging extensive tunnels that weaken soil, crack concrete, and disrupt landscaping. Over time, ground squirrels may also attract other pests, contaminate garden areas with droppings, and increase the risk of structural issues beneath patios or foundations. What might start as a minor nuisance can quickly turn into a costly and destructive infestation.
If you’ve spotted tiny dirt mounds popping up in your yard and something scurrying between the bushes, you’re probably dealing with ground squirrels. They might look like harmless little diggers, but don’t let the cuteness fool you, these burrow-loving rodents can quietly turn your property into a mess of burrows, chewed-up plants, and structural headaches.
In this guide, we’ll break down why having ground squirrels in your yard isn’t just annoying, it can be damaging, costly, and risky if left alone. You’ll also learn how to spot the signs early and what to do if your backyard becomes their next construction site.
Meet the Ground Squirrel
Ground squirrels, including the California ground squirrel, are burrowing rodents known for their sharp claws, twitchy tails, and a serious talent for digging. Unlike their tree-dwelling cousins like tree squirrels or the smaller chipmunk, these guys prefer life underground, carving out elaborate tunnel systems right beneath your lawn. They’re most active during the day, especially in open, grassy areas where they can scavenge for seeds, roots, and tasty garden plants.
In places like Florida’s Treasure Coast, ground squirrels thrive thanks to the warm weather and soft soil. That combo makes it easier for them to nest, forage, and multiply fast. As ground squirrel populations grow, so does the potential for widespread damage across lawns, gardens, and outdoor structures.
The areas where ground squirrels live are typically wide open, undisturbed, and packed with easy food sources, making your backyard an ideal target. While they may seem like part of the local wildlife charm, once they settle in, they can quickly wear out their welcome.
Rodent Damage: How this Nuisance and their Burrows Wreck Your Yard
It doesn’t take long for this pests to go from “kind of cute” to “serious headache.” It doesn’t take long for these pests to go from “kind of cute” to “serious headache.” Once they move in, they bring a set of problems that quietly pile up, and ground squirrel damage often goes unnoticed until it’s extensive. By the time you realize what’s happening, the destruction might already be deep, literally.
These critters damage can sneak up on you, tunnels weaken structures from below while the surface-level destruction leaves your yard looking like a patchwork of chew marks and dirt mounds. Species like the thirteen-lined ground squirrel are especially notorious for their extensive burrowing habits, which can compromise landscaping and even nearby structures.
Burrows That Undermine Everything
Let’s start underground. Ground squirrels are expert excavators, and their underground burrows can stretch several feet in every direction. These burrows might start under your lawn, but they don’t stop there. Once established, the entire burrow system can expand beneath patios, driveways, and even foundations.
They can weaken structures, crack concrete, and collapse walkways, especially in Florida’s loose, sandy soil where tunneling is a breeze. If it’s starting to sound like something a gopher might do, you’re not wrong, ground squirrels bring that same kind of underground chaos, just with a different tail.
Landscaping Becomes Lunch
Now take a look above ground. If you’ve spent time and money on garden beds, fruit trees, bulb flowers, or ornamental plants, ground squirrels see it all as an open buffet. They’ll nibble through roots, gnaw on stems, and chew flowers without a second thought. Over time, your yard starts to look patchy, with chewed-up plants and wilting sections that never seem to bounce back undoing all your lawn care efforts in the process.
Uninvited Guests Tag Along
And here’s where it gets worse. Rodents rarely come alone. Ground squirrel burrows can attract snakes, skunks, or other pests looking for food or shelter. You might also noticeground squirrel droppings around entry points or in garden beds, which not only signals an active infestation but can also pose health risks. On top of that, they can carry fleas and parasites that put pets and people at risk. What starts as a few dirt mounds can quickly turn into a chain reaction of wildlife problems.
Pest Control and Prevention: Keep Ground Squirrels Out for Good
When ground squirrels move in, time isn’t on your side. The longer they’re allowed to dig, chew, and multiply, the harder it becomes to reclaim your space. The good news? You’ve got options, and not the kind that involves sitting in the yard with a garden hose. Here’s how to keep your property protected.
Cut Off the Welcome Mat
Ground squirrels don’t show up by accident. They’re drawn to easy food sources like birdseed, pet food, or fallen fruit from your trees. Clean up spills, store feed in sealed containers, and rake up anything edible that hits the ground. Trim overgrown shrubs and grass that offer easy cover near structures, they love a good hiding spot. You can also try a natural ground squirrel repellent as an added layer of defense, especially in areas where they like to dig.
Products made with castor oil are commonly used to irritate their scent trails and make the soil less appealing for burrowing. For long-term success, it’s smart to pair these habits with a consistent ground squirrel control plan that targets both prevention and removal.
Learning how to manage ground squirrels effectively means knowing when to act, what signs to watch for, and who to call before things get out of hand. Working with experts who know how to manage ground squirrels can make all the difference in keeping your yard safe and tunnel-free.
Seal Up and Lock It Down
Make your yard harder to move into. Inspect the perimeter of your home, sheds, and porches for access points. Seal gaps in the foundation, screen off crawlspaces, and block potential burrow sites with wire mesh or buried fencing. It’s not glamorous work, but it’s one of the smartest steps a homeowner can take to keep burrowers from getting cozy.
Professional Pest Control vs DIY: What Actually Works
This isn’t your average pest problem. Trapping or poisoning nuisance pest comes with risks to pets, to people, and to native wildlife. Plus, it’s not even legal in all areas without permits. In Florida, the safest move is calling licensed professionals like AAAC Wildlife Removal. Our team knows the laws, understands local squirrel behavior, and uses proven squirrel control strategies to manage these pests and get rid of ground squirrels without the guesswork.
How AAAC Wildlife Removal Handles Infestations
When it comes to squirrels, we don’t mess around and we don’t cut corners either. At AAAC Wildlife Removal of the Treasure Coast, we use a proven four-step system designed to remove squirrels efficiently and stop them from coming back.
Inspection
We start with a detailed inspection of your property, inside and out. Our experts identify every burrow entrance, nesting site, and vulnerable area. We don’t just look for where squirrels are, we figure out how they’re getting in and why they’ve chosen your yard. This step sets the tone for a smarter, more targeted solution.
Exclusion
Next, we implement exclusion techniques to gently evict the squirrels without causing harm. This might involve one-way doors, barriers, or deterrents that guide them out of the space but prevent them from re-entering. The goal is to remove them without creating new problems or trapping animals underground.
Sealing
Once the squirrels are out, we roll into the sealing phase. Our team secures every tunnel entrance, crawlspace gap, and weak spot we identified earlier. We use durable materials like galvanized mesh, foundation sealant, and other wildlife-grade barriers to block access and reinforce your property against future digging.
Prevention
Finally, we help you squirrel-proof your yard for the long haul. That might mean adjusting bird feeders, clearing debris, or creating physical barriers around gardens and sheds. We’ll also give you straightforward recommendations you can use to keep your home critter-free year-round.
Our crews proudly serve Port St. Lucie, Vero Beach, Fort Pierce, and nearby areas. If you’re tired of the digging, chewing, and surprise holes in your lawn, give us a call. We’re ready to help you take back control, safely, legally, and effectively.
Don’t Let This Pest Take Over Your Yard
Ground squirrels might be small, but the problems they bring aren’t. From damaged foundations to ruined gardens and surprise pest guests, they can turn a peaceful yard into a full-blown headache before you know it. And once they’ve built a network of tunnels under your feet, you’re not just dealing with a nuisance, you’re dealing with a real threat to your property.
If you’re seeing the signs or just want to make sure you don’t, don’t wait for the damage to stack up. Call the experts at AAAC Wildlife Removal of the Treasure Coast and let our team handle it the right way, quickly, legally, and humanely. We’ll help you take your yard back and keep it that way.
