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Mr. and Mrs. Robert Renteria,
Lake Arrowhead, Ca.
Burrowing Rodents • Pocket Gophers • Ground Squirrels • Voles (Meadow Mice)
Burrowing Rodents
Burrowing rodents can be a major headache for homeowners. Their mounds can ruin the aesthetics of a well kept landscape and cause severe plant damage as they feed on roots. Their burrows pose personal liability problems to homeowners, business owners, and property management companies as persons can injure their ankles in rough uneven areas. Additionally, burrowing activity may lead to irrigation problems, excessive water use, and erosion problems. On slopes, they can be particularly menacing as erosion can help contribute to slope instability and failure.
We provide services for homeowners and large scale situations that most other pest control companies cannot or will not handle. Some of our experience includes homeowners associations, private businesses (such as property management and landscape companies), commercial parks, golf courses, school districts, parks, and various local, state, and federal municipalities.
Pocket Gophers
Pocket Gophers (Thomomys spp.), so named due to their fur-lined external cheek pouches (or pockets) that they use for carrying food. Their head is fairly small and flattened. These rodents have powerful forequarters, large-clawed front paws, and lips that close behind their large incisors that they can use for digging. They can live in a burrow system that can extend from 200 to 2000 square feet and can tunnel about 200 to 300 feet per night. Since they are solitary animals a burrow system generally consists of only one gopher, unless they are mating. Gophers can have 1 to 3 litters per year with 5 to 6 born per litter. Their offspring usually stay with the mother the first two months and are then sent to burrow in their own systems. Gophers do not hibernate and are thought to be active at any hour of the day and year.
Gopher control is dependent on a thorough understanding of their general biology and behavior. Large scale problems require development of a site specific plan that is tailored to fit the environment and safety of our clients. Control on a large scale basis or when a property borders open space such as vacant lots or native areas usually require an initial treatment to limit and control the current population to manageable levels and then a continuous monitoring program to prevent severe re-infestation problems.
Ground Squirrels
The California ground squirrel (Spermophilus beecheyi) can be found in almost all parts of California and can be a very destructive pest. Burrows and mounds can pose hazards to machinery, pedestrians, pets, and livestock. The damage from burrowing can undermine buildings, cause major erosion problems and ultimately lead to slope failure. Ground squirrels also harbor diseases that are known to be harmful to humans, such as bubonic plaque because of the fleas that they carry. Ground squirrels are easy to identify by the burrows they make and due to the fact that they are constantly above ground. They are often about 12 inches long, while their tail can add another 5 to 9 inches in length. They often hibernate in the winter, but will usually wake up once a week. If the winter isn't extreme, these critters can skip hibernation. Furthermore, they can have 7 to 8 offspring a year, with the young usually emerging at six weeks of age.
As with other rodent control programs, control of ground squirrels require a thorough understanding of their unique life cycle and biology along with full knowledge of all pest control methods available, as timing is key in controlling their population. Management on a large scale basis or when a site borders open space usually requires an initial treatment to limit and control the existing population to manageable levels and a continuous monitoring and baiting program to prevent re-infestation problems.
Voles (Meadow Mice)
There are over 23 vole species found in the United States. However, only six are found in California. They are typically called meadow mice or voles. The most damaging specie in California is the California vole (Microtus Californicus). Voles usually don't invade homes and are often confused with the house mouse (Mus Musculus). They are often 6 inches long (including tail) and are active both during the day and night. They can breed year-round with 6 to 9 litters per year, and an average of 5 young per litter. Their burrows are often clearly marked by runs that are free from debris in landscaped areas.
Call us today for a free estimate at (800)273-6059 or e-mail at info@critterbustersonline.com
Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties.
Critter Busters Wildlife & Pest Control is your one source for all your pest control and wildlife removal needs.
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