Ground-dwelling rodents like gophers and squirrels can quickly overtake a yard, and realistically pose a threat to the entire neighborhood. After all, these guys hardly care about your property lines! Some people might think they’re cute, or even fun to observe, but their burrowing and tunneling habits can create a major headache for landscapers. Rodents are the neighbors no one wants, and they breed so prolifically that they can quickly become a neighborhood-wide nuisance. That’s why neighborhood HOAs often deal with this type of rodent activity, rather than leave the matter up to individual homeowners.
So, let’s assume that you’re either an individual homeowner or a property manager for an entire neighborhood. If you notice little mounds of fresh dirt in yards or common areas, you probably have a gopher problem. California ground squirrels also live in burrows, so they might move into the area as well. These pests not only dig up yards; they also munch on vegetation and can quickly overtake gardens. Pretty soon you have your own little petting zoo outside, only no one’s petting anything and property is quickly getting destroyed… Now what?
The state of California’s Fish and Game code classifies gophers and ground squirrels as non-game mammals. This means that if they are causing damage to crops or your property, they can be controlled in any manner that is legal and humane. A licensed pest control company can take care of this problem for you.
Initially, we will visit and treat all affected areas, with the problem usually resolving itself within a few weeks. Getting rid of existing rodents is often not a difficult task.
However, there is no guarantee that the unwanted residents of a nearby area won’t eventually move over to your neighborhood. After all, there is something about your place that appeals to rodents! Since prevention is often much more effective than a “cure”, we recommend regular “check-ups” and treatments to keep rodents from setting up house. So, just keep in mind that ridding yourself of rodents once provides no guarantees for the future.
Give us a call and we’ll discuss both one-time treatments, and regular preventive service, so that you can decide which option best suits your needs.