Ground Squirrel BMPs
  • Biology
    • Range and Habitat
    • Behavior and Diet
    • Seasonal Activity
    • Disease
  • Identification
    • Signs and Characteristics
    • Damage
    • Look-Alike Pests and Damage
    • Burrowing Non-Target Wildlife
    • Squirrel Species of Lesser Concern
  • Management
    • California ground squirrel
    • Belding's ground squirrel
  • Regulations
    • California Codes
    • Professional Licenses
    • Fumigation Plans and Posting
    • Wildlife and Endangered Species
  • Resources
  • FAQs

Identification

Management efforts are more effective when directed at the right pest. Identify which species of ground squirrel is causing damage - and make sure that another burrowing pest isn't responsible.

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Signs and Characteristics

California or Belding's Ground Squirrels? Learn how to tell the two species apart and how to recognize signs of activity.
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Damage

See examples of ground squirrel damage to crops and infrastructure.
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Look-alike Pests and Damage

Tree squirrels, gophers, and voles -- oh my. Distinguish ground squirrels and their damage from other burrowing pests.
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Non-pest Species

Learn about other burrowing species in California that do NOT cause damage:
  •  Burrowing Non-Target Wildlife
  • Ground Squirrel Species of Lesser Concern
Signs and Characteristics photo: Jack Kelly Clark/UC IPM. Non-pest Species photo: Robert Sivinski.
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​© 2017 Regents of the University of California  |  Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources  |  UC Cooperative Extension, Orange County
www.groundsquirrelbmp.com is a UC peer-reviewed publication made possible by support from the Vertebrate Pest Control Research Advisory Committee
Updated Feb. 3, 2017
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  • Biology
    • Range and Habitat
    • Behavior and Diet
    • Seasonal Activity
    • Disease
  • Identification
    • Signs and Characteristics
    • Damage
    • Look-Alike Pests and Damage
    • Burrowing Non-Target Wildlife
    • Squirrel Species of Lesser Concern
  • Management
    • California ground squirrel
    • Belding's ground squirrel
  • Regulations
    • California Codes
    • Professional Licenses
    • Fumigation Plans and Posting
    • Wildlife and Endangered Species
  • Resources
  • FAQs