Ground Squirrel Control

Technica Ground Squirrel Solutions

Ground squirrels, often referred to as gophers, can cause serious damage to lawns, acreages, commercial properties, fields, landscaped areas, and exterior grounds. In Alberta, the most common species associated with this type of damage is the Richardson’s ground squirrel, a burrowing rodent that spends much of its life underground and creates tunnel systems with multiple entrances. Their burrowing can damage turf, create soft or uneven ground, and create safety concerns for people, pets, livestock, and equipment.

At Technica Pest Solutions, our ground squirrel control service focuses on identifying active burrow systems and applying the most appropriate control method for the property. Depending on the site conditions and level of activity, this may include professional trapping, secured bait station programs, or burrow treatment options where permitted and appropriate. The goal is not just to treat random holes, but to target active areas where ground squirrels are living, feeding, and travelling.

Ground squirrel control is most effective when the timing and method are chosen properly. Early spring is often the best time to begin control because adults are active before young ground squirrels emerge, making population reduction more effective. Alberta Agriculture notes that April is generally one of the best control periods, depending on snow melt and seasonal conditions.

For smaller or more localized activity, trapping may be recommended. Trapping can be useful when activity is concentrated in a specific area, such as around a lawn, garden, building perimeter, landscaped bed, or high-traffic section of a property. It is a targeted approach, but results depend on the size of the colony, access to burrow systems, weather, and how much activity is present.

For larger or more established colonies, bait station programs may be considered where suitable. Professional rodent stations help keep bait secured and placed strategically around active ground squirrel areas. Any rodenticide used must be registered for the target pest and applied according to the product label. Alberta’s guidance specifically notes that only products registered for Richardson’s ground squirrel control should be used, and that it is an offence to use rodenticides in a way that does not follow label directions.

In some situations, burrow treatment or fumigation-style control may be recommended. This method targets ground squirrels inside active burrow systems and is most effective when the animals are underground, such as early morning, late evening, or during cool or rainy conditions. Burrow treatments are not suitable for every property and must be assessed carefully based on the location of burrows, nearby structures, soil conditions, safety concerns, and label requirements.

Because ground squirrels can reinvade from neighbouring fields, green spaces, ditches, or untreated areas, long-term control may also require prevention and habitat management. After treatment, reducing tall grass, removing debris, maintaining open sightlines, and filling inactive burrows where appropriate can help make the area less attractive. For larger properties, ongoing monitoring may be needed to keep activity from returning.

Our technician will inspect the property, confirm active burrow systems, identify the level of activity, and recommend the best control option based on the site. Whether the issue is affecting a lawn, acreage, commercial property, field edge, or landscaped area, Technica Pest Solutions provides a practical ground squirrel control plan focused on reducing activity and preventing continued damage.