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Richardson’s Ground Squirrels are often called prairie dogs, gophers, dakrat, and flickertail, and are native to the short grass prairies, like what is found in southern Alberta.
They are commonly found in Northern States, such as North Dakota and Montana, and in the cental and southern parts of Alberta, Southern Saskatchewan, and Southern Manitoba, with their range expanding as forests become cleared for farmland.
While they are commonly seen in the prairies, they are known to adapt to suburban environments, and it is not uncommon to see these squirrels digging underneath sidewalks and patios.
"Controlling Richardson’s Ground Squirrels (RGSs) can be challenging in any year," explained the Rat and Pest Program specialist with the Alberta government, Karen Wickerson on the Alberta government Ground Squirrel website. "Timing is the key to efficient control. April is generally the best month for controlling RGSs as they emerge earlier or later in the spring depending on the amount of snow. Control should be initiated prior to the emergence of the young when the males first emerge above ground and before the females go underground to have their litters."
Some of the options for controlling these RGS's include shooting, rodenticides, and non-chemical means, which are part of an Integrated Pest Management approach that includes a combination of methods to control the rodent.
Shooting the animals are an effective way for controlling them, especially at a time when the males are first emerging and are living off their winter body fat and fighting for territory.
The females emerge from their hiding holes two weeks later and begin to breed immediately.
"Targeting the breeding males and females can have a significant reduction in the population of RGSs in any given year," Wickerson says.
While there are rodenticides that are labelled to control RGS's, but if these products are misused, it could lead to non-target poisonings.
Because of that, it is advised by the Alberta Government to use a single feeding poison, such as Zinc phosphide.
Rozol (Chlorophacinone) and Ramik Green (Diphacinone) are multi-feeding anti-coagulants that require multiple feedings for them to work, but can lead to secondary poisonings.
According to Wickerson, it is best to put out the rodenticides after mating has begun, but before the crops begin to grow.
Otherwise, the Ground Squirrels will choose to eat the crop instead.
A variety of non-chemical controls can be used, and don't have the risk of accidental secondary poisonings.
For example, platforms for hawks and other large birds in treeless areas help to encourage the bird to nest there and eat the squirrels.
Wickerson says that a single pair of nesting ferruginous hawks can consume up to 500 Ground Squirrels in a single season.
Other non-chemical control options include cultivating fields, which will destroy burrows and mounds, leaving field margins tall so foxes are able to den, and leaving grass tall along fence lines help coyotes and weasels hunt the squirrels.
On top of that, it is suggested to clean up any spilled grains and remove any hiding place the squirrels can hide.
"There is no one effective control for Richardson’s Ground Squirrels. A multi-pronged approach must be taken every year incorporating different methods of control," Wickerson explains.
To learn more about these squirrels, head over to either the Alberta government website or read a report on them from the University of Lethbridge.