Ground Squirrel Damage to Property — What California Ground Squirrels Destroy
California ground squirrels are colonial animals that cause a broader range of property damage than gophers because they are active both above and below ground. Their damage extends from plant consumption and bark gnawing to structural undermining and athletic field hazards. Understanding the full scope of ground squirrel damage helps property owners assess the consequences of leaving infestations unaddressed.
Plant Damage
Ground squirrels eat a wide variety of plant material including seeds, nuts, fruits, vegetables, and bulbs. They consume fallen citrus, avocados, and stone fruit directly and will climb low-hanging branches to access fruit still on the tree. Vegetable gardens are heavily targeted — ground squirrels will eat tomatoes, squash, corn, beans, and virtually any other vegetable crop.
Bark gnawing at the base of trees is a significant cause of tree damage by ground squirrels. They gnaw the bark from the root crown and lower trunk, girdling young trees and seriously damaging mature ones. Young orchard trees — citrus, stone fruit, avocado — are particularly vulnerable, and a colony active in an orchard can kill young trees within a single season. Unlike gopher root girdling which occurs underground invisibly, ground squirrel bark damage is visible above ground at the base of affected trees.
Burrow System Damage
Ground squirrel burrow systems are more extensive than gopher tunnels and create larger, more visible openings. A mature colony may have dozens of burrow entrances scattered across a property, each an open hole 3-4 inches in diameter. These holes create serious hazards in several contexts.
On athletic fields, horse pastures, and equestrian arenas, ground squirrel burrow holes create ankle-trap hazards for athletes and hoof-trap hazards for horses. The injuries from stepping into a ground squirrel hole can be severe — horses that step into burrow entrances at speed can suffer career-ending or fatal leg injuries. This is why ground squirrel control on equestrian properties is a safety-critical issue, not just a landscape issue.
On hillsides and slopes, ground squirrel burrow systems can contribute to erosion and slope instability. Extensive burrowing on a slope removes the root-binding soil structure that holds slopes together. After heavy rainfall, slopes with dense ground squirrel burrow networks are more vulnerable to erosion and slippage than unburrowed slopes.
Structural and Infrastructure Damage
Ground squirrels gnaw on irrigation components, electrical conduit, and structural wood at the base of fences and outbuildings. Underground drip lines and spray system laterals in areas of high colony density suffer repeated damage. The extensive burrow systems can undermine fence posts, deck footings, and concrete flatwork through the same soil void mechanism as gopher tunnels — but at greater scale given the colony size.
Related Articles
- California Ground Squirrel — Complete Behavior and Control Guide
- Are Ground Squirrels Dangerous? Plague, Bites, and Public Health
- Gopher vs. Ground Squirrel — How to Tell the Difference
Frequently Asked Questions
Different rather than worse. Gophers cause more invisible underground damage to root systems and irrigation. Ground squirrels cause more visible above-ground damage to plants, bark, and structures, plus extensive burrow hole hazards. Both warrant prompt professional control.
Yes significantly. Bark gnawing at the base of young trees can girdle and kill them. Ground squirrels also consume fruit directly. Orchards and fruit tree gardens with ground squirrel colonies require prompt treatment to prevent serious losses.
Yes. Open burrow holes 3-4 inches in diameter in lawn areas, athletic fields, or walking paths create real tripping and ankle-injury hazards, particularly for children and elderly individuals.
Call 909-599-4711 for ground squirrel control throughout Southern California.