Overrun with ground squirrels In Temecula and Murrieta?

Those pesky ground squirrels are out in force these days. You may be able to tolerate them out in yard or field. However, when they dig under the house, around trees and shrubs or in pastures for horses it's time to get serious about control, before they undermine the foundation, kill trees and create tripping hazards. 

Ground squirrels eat plants, seeds, fruits, some insects, bark off bushes, vines and trees, roots, birdseed and occasionally birds' eggs and road kill. They need little to no water, getting moisture from dew or the vegetation they eat.

These pests dig burrows that they occupy year after year. Each year they lengthen the tunnels and make their burrows more complex. There are numerous entrances to each tunnel and burrow. They hibernate in winter. The males emerge about 10 to 14 days ahead of the females. Breeding occurs shortly after they come out of hibernation within a three-week period. Gestation is 28 to 32 days and the young venture above ground at about seven weeks old. Six to eight young are born with each litter and they live four to five years. In favorable years, there can be more than 100 squirrels per acre. Not only do they cause significant damage to home landscapes and gardens, they also can transmit plague with the fleas they carry.

Squirrels can dig under fences even when the fencing material is buried several feet deep. Or they can climb over them. They are sometimes discouraged by wide areas kept free of vegetation. You can't frighten them and repellents don't work. Toxic baits are the best management method. The latter require more bait and multiple feedings. Baiting for squirrels needs to be done very carefully. Application of baits must follow label directions exactly to avoid hurting non-target animals such as pets and predators of the squirrels. Bait stations properly constructed are  the safer ways of applying baits. Too little bait leads to bait shyness and ineffective control. Timing is critical to good control.