Problems with Ground Squirrels in Gardens
Ground squirrels exasperate homeowners and gardeners by relentlessly eating and damaging vegetables, fruits, and ornamental plants. The pests devour seedlings and can destroy young shrubs, vines, and trees. As if that weren't enough, fleas found in their fur are capable of transmitting bubonic plague to humans. It is for these reasons that many property owners seek ground squirrel garden controls and repellents.
Repellents
Traps are only practical for controlling very small numbers of the pests. Natural ground squirrel repellents include anything containing capsaicin, the chemical that gives chili peppers their heat. This method involves pouring chili oil or sauce on the ground near plants. Some gardeners have also used castor oil or the urine of ground squirrel predators in the same manner. However, due to soil absorption and rain, applications of any of these must be repeated frequently.
Fences and Other Control Methods
Putting a fence around a vegetable patch might sound like a surefire method of ground squirrel garden control. The truth is more complicated, as constructing the right fence for the job is very expensive and time-consuming. It requires completely surrounding the area with heavy-gauge wire mesh that is at least 18-inches high, plus burying it an other 18 inches underground to prevent digging.
Another type of ground squirrel repellent involves filling in their burrows. Stomping them closed will not do the job, as the pests can simply dig back through. Openings must be completely dismantled to a depth of at least two feet, using mechanical equipment and heavy implements. For all the time and expense that do-it-yourself methods require, property owners can save on both cost and labor by calling Critter Control for professional removal of ground squirrels.
Get them out.
Keep them out.®
Experience wildlife or pest issue? We can help! Complete this form and your local Critter Control® office will contact you to assist.
Best Bat Removal
Brandon was out to please and make out lives easier with out bat situation. Above and beyond of the call of duty and got the job done. Thank you!
BAT POOP CLEAN-UP AND PREVENTION! Bat guano removed from gables. No bats found in attic, so put new screens on all gable vents, as one screen was close to breaking and then bats may have gotten in! Great work in
Tulsa!
Squirrels and chipmunks were in our attic. So we called Critter Control to do an inspection. Their representative climbed all over our very steep roof and found several places where squirrels had entered our attic.
Upon inspection of the attic, evidence of bats was also found. The Critter Control team came on time to completely caulk the entire perimeter of the house and create an exit strategy for the squirrels and bats.
Because
bat droppings can cause histoplasmosis, this also required total removal and replacement of our attic insulation and sanitizing the space. Not a small job in a 1,300 sq. ft. attic! While Critter Control’s cost was high, our homeowners insurance covered most of it. Everyone representing Critter Control was professional, courteous and timely. I would highly recommend them to anyone who thinks they might have unwelcome guests living in their attic
On recommendations from a nearby pest control company, I called Critter Control for suspicious
bat droppings.
Madison came out the same day to do an inspection. She was knowledgeable, thorough, and highly professional. She examined the ‘matter’ that had been scattered on my threshold and thought it was foliage. But she then asked to go up to my attic space where the bats could be roosting. She had to walk up 3 flights of stairs with a heavy ladder. She again spent some time searching all the nooks and crannies and found nothing.
She seemed so interested in her craft, it was truly inspiring to see! She reassured me and is writing up a prevention strategy for my appraisal. She charged me NOTHING!! I am so impressed. We need more Madisons in this world!
Service:
Bat Removal
We noticed droppings on our brand new deck - we were given their number from our contractor. They came the next day. Brian looked at it and said - yeah, bats!! He then checked every area in our attic and he explained exactly what needed to be done.
He found evidence of a mice infestation, provided a referral and they are helping us as well. Great service, very informative, very professional! We are very satisfied and would recommend them to anyone who has any issues with any critters!
Quicklinks