Gopher vs. Ground Squirrel — How to Tell the Difference

Gophers and California ground squirrels are both burrowing rodents that cause damage in Southern California yards, but they are very different animals that require different control approaches. Correctly identifying which pest you have is the first step toward effective treatment. The good news is that telling them apart is straightforward once you know what to look for.

The Fastest Way to Tell Them Apart: Are You Seeing the Animal?

Gophers are almost never seen above ground. They are fossorial animals — they live underground and surface only rarely, usually briefly and at night. If you are seeing an animal in your yard during daylight hours, it is almost certainly not a gopher. California ground squirrels, by contrast, are active above ground during the day and are commonly seen foraging, running between burrows, and sitting on elevated points watching for predators. If you can see the animal, you have ground squirrels.

Burrow Entrance Differences

Gopher burrow entrances are accompanied by fan-shaped mounds of loose soil pushed to one side of the entrance — the classic gopher mound. The entrance hole itself is usually plugged or partially plugged with loose soil. Ground squirrel burrow entrances are large, open holes — typically 3-4 inches in diameter — with no associated mound of pushed soil. The entrance is clean and open, often with a flat area of bare soil immediately in front of the hole where the squirrel has been sitting. Multiple open holes in a relatively small area are characteristic of a ground squirrel colony.

Damage Patterns

Gophers cause damage below ground — root feeding, irrigation line damage, and the structural effects of tunnel systems in slope soil. Above-ground plants wilt and die from below, pulled down or root-stripped without visible surface disturbance other than mounds. Ground squirrels cause damage above ground — they gnaw on stems, strip bark from trees, eat fallen fruit, consume seeds and bulbs they dig up, and extensively burrow in open areas creating hazardous holes. Ground squirrel burrow colonies in lawns and slopes can cause significant structural damage to the ground surface itself.

Colony vs. Solitary

Gophers are solitary and territorial — one gopher per tunnel system. Ground squirrels are social and live in colonies. A ground squirrel problem is typically a colony problem with multiple interconnected burrows and many animals. A gopher problem in a residential yard is often one or a few solitary animals. This difference affects control strategy significantly.

Which One Do You Have?

Fan-shaped mounds with no visible animals = gophers. Open burrow holes with animals seen above ground during the day = ground squirrels. Both are common in Southern California and both are controlled by Rodent Guys. If you are unsure, describe what you are seeing when you call and we can help identify the pest before scheduling service.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have both gophers and ground squirrels at the same time?

Yes. Both species are common throughout Southern California and can coexist on the same property, sometimes in adjacent areas. Each requires its own control approach.

Are ground squirrels more difficult to control than gophers?

Colony control of ground squirrels can be more involved than single-animal gopher control because of the social structure and multiple animals. Your technician assesses the situation and recommends the appropriate approach.

Do you treat ground squirrels the same way as gophers?

No. Ground squirrel control uses different methods appropriate to above-ground colonial animals. Rodent Guys provides ground squirrel control throughout our service area.

Call 909-599-4711 — describe what you are seeing and we will identify the pest and recommend the right treatment.