Where Do Ground Squirrels Go at Night?

Ground squirrels don’t wander at night like some other wildlife. Once the sun sets, they head into their burrows, where they rest, nest, and stay hidden from predators until daylight.

These burrows aren’t just quick hiding spots – they’re complex underground systems with chambers for sleeping, storing food, and even hibernating during colder months. Knowing this behavior helps homeowners understand why ground squirrels can be hard to spot after dark, yet their activity still impacts yards and gardens.

Ground Squirrels – Nighttime Specialists, Not Night Hawks

Ground squirrels are not nocturnal animals. They are diurnal, meaning they spend their days foraging, digging, and moving around above ground, then retreat underground once the sun sets. At night, they rest in the safety of their burrows, unlike flying squirrels that are active after dark.

Their burrows are carefully constructed shelters designed for more than just sleep. These underground systems can be several feet deep, often with multiple entrances and chambers for nesting, food storage, and protection. By heading underground at night, ground squirrels reduce the risk of predation and conserve energy for their daytime activity.

Inside the Burrow – What Happens at Night

Nighttime Routine – When the sun goes down, ground squirrels retreat into their burrows for rest and safety. These underground shelters aren’t just simple holes – they’re carefully designed systems with chambers for sleeping, raising young, and staying protected from predators.

Food Storage and Nesting – Burrows often double as pantries. Ground squirrels collect seeds, nuts, and vegetation during the day and stash them underground to eat later. Soft, grassy nests inside the burrow give them a comfortable place to rest, especially during breeding season.

Seasonal Changes – Behavior in the burrow depends on the region and season. European ground squirrels hibernate through the winter in a deep sleep lasting months, while California ground squirrels may enter partial dormancy or estivation during hot, dry summers to survive extreme conditions.

Homeowner Tip – That fresh pile of dirt in your yard isn’t random – it’s a squirrel’s version of laundry day. Those mounds mark entrances and exits to their tunnel “express system,” showing you exactly where the nighttime action happens.

How to Spot a Nighttime Ground-Squirrel Hangout

Even though ground squirrels disappear underground once the sun sets, they leave behind distinct signs that mark their burrows. Spotting these clues helps you confirm their presence before their colonies expand and cause greater property damage.

Sign 1. Fresh Soil Mounds

Ground squirrels continually dig to expand or maintain their burrows, pushing soil to the surface in distinctive piles. These mounds are typically fan-shaped with a central opening, unlike the cone-shaped piles left by moles. The presence of freshly disturbed soil is a strong indicator that burrows are active.

Over time, multiple mounds can appear across a yard, orchard, or open field. Because ground squirrels live in colonies, one property can host many active burrows at once. The sudden appearance of new dirt piles after a single night of digging shows how quickly they modify their habitat.

Pro Tip: If you spot new mounds reappearing after you’ve leveled them, the squirrels are still actively digging below.

Sign 2. Multiple Tunnel Entrances

Burrows are rarely limited to a single entrance, since multiple openings give ground squirrels escape routes from predators. These entrances are usually four to six inches wide and may be scattered across a yard, field, or near foundations. Unlike gopher holes, they remain open and visible because squirrels frequently use them.

When colonies grow, a single area can develop a network of tunnels with several active entrances. This makes it easier for squirrels to navigate underground and harder for predators – or homeowners – to trap them. The more entrances you see in a concentrated area, the larger the colony is likely to be.

Pro Tip: Two or more entrances close together usually means more than one squirrel is living in the system.

Sign 3. Chewed Vegetation and Crop Damage

Ground squirrels often feed near their burrows, leaving behind clear signs of chewing. You may notice clipped grass, stripped stems, or damaged seedlings near soil openings. Unlike insects that leave jagged edges, squirrels leave clean, sharp cuts that are easy to identify.

The feeding damage usually radiates outward from the burrow opening in a circular pattern. In agricultural areas, this behavior can wipe out seedlings quickly, while in residential yards it creates unsightly bare patches. This connection between vegetation loss and soil openings is a reliable clue for locating active hangouts.

Pro Tip: Clean-cut stems or missing seedlings close to burrow entrances are a ground squirrel’s calling card.

Sign 4. Nighttime Sounds and Movements

Even though ground squirrels are diurnal and rest at night, burrow entrances sometimes reveal subtle activity. You may hear faint scratching or shifting of soil as they move inside their chambers. Domestic pets often pick up these sounds first, showing unusual interest in specific yard spots.

Squirrels can also emit squeaks or alarm calls when disturbed, even from underground. While you won’t see them roaming the yard in darkness, these noises confirm that the tunnels are in use. Paying attention to these cues helps homeowners locate hidden burrows.

Pro Tip: If your dog persistently digs or barks at the same dirt patch, it’s likely detecting active squirrels underground.

Prevention & Protection – AAAC’s Nighttime Tips

Keeping ground squirrels from turning your property into an underground maze requires more than just spotting the signs. Effective prevention combines physical barriers, habitat management, and consistent property care that make your yard less appealing to them.

Step 1. Install Burrow-Resistant Barriers

One of the most effective defenses is installing hardware cloth or welded wire mesh at least 12 inches deep into the soil. This barrier prevents ground squirrels from digging directly into gardens, foundations, or landscaped areas. For best results, the mesh should extend outward in an L-shape underground, which blocks tunneling attempts. Barriers are especially useful around raised beds, decks, and patios where burrow entrances often appear.

Step 2. Eliminate Easy Food Sources

Ground squirrels are attracted to properties where food is readily available. Removing fallen fruits, spilled bird seed, or unprotected compost reduces their motivation to settle nearby. Gardens can be protected with fencing and netting that make access to crops more difficult. Consistently cleaning up potential food sources disrupts their foraging habits and discourages repeat visits.

Step 3. Manage Vegetation and Shelter

Burrows are more likely in areas with tall grass, brush piles, or wood stacks that provide cover from predators. Regular mowing and removing excess debris takes away the protection ground squirrels rely on while moving between feeding spots. Shrubs and dense ground cover should be trimmed back to limit hiding spaces. By reducing available shelter, you make your property less attractive for colony establishment.

Step 4. Secure Structures and Entry Points

Ground squirrels sometimes tunnel near sheds, crawl spaces, or concrete foundations where gaps exist. Sealing cracks, filling voids, and reinforcing weak spots helps stop them from expanding burrows under man-made structures. Using gravel or concrete to backfill known tunnel areas makes it harder for them to re-dig in the same place. These steps protect both your property’s stability and reduce long-term wildlife intrusion.

Step 5. Consider Short-Term Repellents

While not a permanent solution, some repellents can discourage squirrels from frequenting certain areas. Predator urine granules, motion-activated sprinklers, or strong scent deterrents can create temporary discomfort that makes burrows less appealing. Their effectiveness usually decreases over time as squirrels adapt, so repellents should be paired with stronger exclusion methods. Used strategically, they can buy you time to address the problem with lasting fixes.

Wrapping Up the Nightlife of Ground Squirrels

Ground squirrels may vanish above ground after sunset, but their activity continues beneath your feet. By retreating into burrows, they rest, store food, and even prepare for seasonal hibernation or dormancy, making their underground systems essential for survival. For homeowners, those tunnels and dirt mounds aren’t just wildlife curiosities – they’re signs of ongoing activity that can damage yards and structures.

Recognizing where ground squirrels go at night is the first step in keeping them under control. From spotting burrow entrances to applying prevention strategies, you can reduce the chances of your property becoming a colony hotspot. And when the signs point to a bigger issue, AAAC Wildlife Removal is ready with expert, humane solutions to keep squirrels from turning your yard into their permanent night shelter.