Ground Squirrel Identification
While most people are familiar with tree squirrels, fewer can identify the pests' burrowing cousin, the ground squirrel. When identifying the source of holes and tunnels in lawns, there are several important questions to ask. What a ground squirrel looks like is the first.
Although they spend a fair amount of time tunneling, these pests can still be spotted foraging for food aboveground. They are about 9 to 11 inches long with speckled, brownish-gray fur and a semi-bushy tail. Another factor in identification is their burrows. Ground squirrel holes are about four inches in diameter and two to four feet deep.
Ground Squirrels Compared to Other Animals
Ground squirrels are most often confused with tree squirrels, which they resemble, or other burrowing animals such as moles and groundhogs. In addition to their bushier tails, tree squirrels can be differentiated from ground squirrels by their behavior. When alarmed, a tree squirrel's first instinct will always be to climb.
On the other hand, ground squirrels are most likely to race for their burrows. What differentiates these pests from moles and groundhogs is mostly their size. Large and stocky, groundhogs reach around 20 inches in length, while moles are much smaller, at only about five inches long.
Avoiding Damage
Homeowners with a ground squirrel problem may notice damage to gardens first, as the pests will feed on grains, nuts, fruits, or seedlings and chew on sprinklers and irrigation lines. Most destructive of all is their burrowing. Tunnels that run under buildings can destabilize foundations, while their holes and mounds are a hazard to lawn machinery, people, and livestock.
The most effective forms of control tend to be fumigation and trapping, though both require knowledge of how to locate existing burrows. The surest method of identifying and getting rid of ground squirrels is to call the wildlife experts at Critter Control.
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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!
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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!
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