Richardson’s ground squirrel control

Overview

Two Richardson's ground squirrels, commonly known as gophers, standing on upright in grass

Image 1. Richardson's ground squirrels.

The Richardson’s ground squirrel, commonly called a 'gopher', is a burrowing rodent found across most of Alberta’s prairie and parkland regions.

Richardson’s ground squirrels play a important role in the province’s ecosystem and is a major food source for a variety of predatory birds, mammals and reptiles. While their population numbers can fluctuate from year to year, their population is currently considered stable.

Under the Agricultural Pests Act, Richardson’s ground squirrels are classified as a nuisance species. This means landowners have the right to control them on their property but are not required to implement control measures.

Rodent damage

Damage caused by Richardson’s ground squirrels can range from a minor inconvenience for some landowners to significant economic losses for others. The most common forms of damage include reduced yield from plant trampling and direct crop loss from feeding.

Beyond causing crop damage, Richardson’s ground squirrel burrows pose serious risks to both farm equipment and livestock. Their extensive tunnel systems can lead to equipment malfunctions, unexpected downtime and costly repairs. The problem is often made worse by predators like badgers, which further enlarge the burrows while hunting for Richardson’s ground squirrels. These hidden holes create dangerous conditions in pastures, increasing the likelihood of leg injuries with livestock.

About the rodent

Reproduction

Male and female Richardson’s ground squirrels become reproductively mature by the spring after their birth. Breeding occurs once a year, shortly after females emerge from hibernation in early-March. The mating window is remarkably short, as females are fertile for only 3 to 4 hours on a single afternoon each year. During this period, a female may mate with multiple males and males will attempt to mate with several females.
Each female produces only one litter per year and usually consist of 6 to 8 pups, with sex ratios close to 1:1. Litters are born underground after a gestation period of approximately 23 days. At birth, the young are blind, hairless and completely dependent on their mother. After approximately 4 weeks they emerge from the burrow and begin eating solid food.
Life span

Natural mortality in Richardson’s ground squirrels is notably high, particularly among males. A male may live 2 to 3 years under favorable conditions. Females can live anywhere from 4 to 6 years, leading to an imbalance in the adult sex ratios.
This difference is primarily due to increased vulnerability to predation and resource competition, especially during the breeding season. During this time, males travel larger distances in search of mating, exposing themselves to risks from predators and other environmental factors. Predation and starvation are the leading causes of death across all sex and age groups.
Survivorship from birth to adulthood is also very low. Roughly half of all females reach maturity, while fewer than one in 5 males survive to adulthood. These high mortality rates play a critical role in shaping the species population dynamics and reproductive strategies.
Hibernation

Richardson’s ground squirrels have evolved to survive the long, harsh winters through hibernation. Hibernation is a state of deep torpor, a reduction in body temperature, heart rate and respiration. This adaptation allows them to survive for over 210 days without access to food or water.
In preparation for hibernation, Richardson’s ground squirrels consume large quantities of high energy foods, accumulating fat reserves that sustain them through the winter. The timing of hibernation varies by age and sex. Adult males are typically the first to enter hibernation in late July followed by the females a few weeks later. The juveniles are the last to enter, just before the ground begins to freeze.
Each Richardson’s ground squirrel hibernates alone in an underground chamber known as a hibernaculum. These chambers are built prior to hibernation but remain unused until the Richardson’s ground squirrel is ready to enter torpor. The hibernaculum provides insulation and protection from extreme cold and predators during the overwintering period.
Emergence from hibernation is also staggered. Adult males are usually the first to reappear, emerging between late February and mid-March. Females emerge approximately 2 weeks later, followed by juveniles in late-April to early-May. This staggered emergence is linked to reproductive timing as early male emergence allows them to establish territories and prepare for the brief mating season.

Integrated pest management model

The greatest integrated pest management benefit occurs when several techniques or strategies are used together and on a continuous basis. The model is designed to produce long term, sustainable management of Richardson’s ground squirrels while minimizing environmental impacts.

Monitoring and assessment

Conduct regular surveys in spring and early summer to identify active burrows and estimate population densities.
Monitor signs of damage to crops, pastures and infrastructure.
Keep records of activity, predator presence and the effectiveness of control measures.

Cultural controls

Modify habitat to make it less favorable.
Promote tall vegetation (over 15 cm)
Retain vegetation around watercourses, fence lines and sloughs to support predator habitats.
Manage grazing practices to discourage colony establishment.

Biological controls

Encourage natural predation.
Install raptor platforms and nest boxes.
Preserve habitat for ground predators.

Mechanical controls

Use burrow disruption tools (plowing or cultivating).
Trapping or shooting.

Chemical controls

Rodenticides.
Target chemical use during early spring when Richardson’s ground squirrels emerge and before vegetation fully greens, increasing bait uptake.

Evaluation and adaptation

Regularly assess the success of your control measures.
Adjust tactics based on outcomes and environmental changes.
Emphasize long-term prevention over reactive treatments.

Cultural and biological controls

Cultural and biological controls are effective strategies for managing Richardson’s ground squirrel populations.

Richardson’s ground squirrels are prey for a wide range of predators including coyotes, foxes, badgers, weasels and various birds such as owls, hawks, crows and ravens. Predation plays a significant role in natural population control. Enhancing habitats to support these natural predators can help reduce Richardson’s ground squirrel numbers.

Maintaining isolated vegetation patches, promoting plant growth near watercourses and fence lines and installing nesting platforms for raptors can all encourage predator presence. Tall vegetation (over 15 cm) has been shown to deter Richardson’s ground squirrels as they prefer open fields, making dense vegetation another useful tool in slowing or preventing colony expansion.

Raptor nesting platform

Image 2. Raptor nesting platform diagram.

Raptor nesting platforms are an effective, natural tool for managing Richardson’s ground squirrel populations across Alberta’s prairie landscapes. By encouraging natural predators such as Ferruginous Hawks, Red-tailed Hawks and Swainson’s Hawks to nest and hunt in agricultural areas, these elevated platforms help reduce reliance on rodenticides by promoting natural predation.

A single hawk pair can consume between 300 to 500 Richardson’s ground squirrels per breeding season. Platforms are typically installed in open, treeless areas and should be spaced several kilometres apart to minimize territorial conflicts among raptors.

Table 1. Recommended component measurements for a raptor nesting platform.

Component	Measurement
Wooden post or tree	18 to 20 feet above ground, 5 feet under ground
Bird nest platform	2 feet by 2 feet

Barn owl nesting box

Image 3. Barn owl nesting box diagram.

Barn owl nesting boxes offer a natural and sustainable method of controlling Richardson’s ground squirrels in Alberta’s open farmland and prairie regions. A breeding pair of barn owls can consume 100 to 300 Richardson’s ground squirrels per season, significantly decreasing potential crop damage.

Juvenile Richardson’s ground squirrels tend to be active during early morning and late evening, times that align with barn owl foraging habits. In regions where barn owl populations are present, installing artificial nesting boxes can attract breeding pairs to areas with high Richardson’s ground squirrel densities.

Boxes must be weatherproof and provide a dark, secure cavity that mimics natural nesting sites. While barn owls are often associated with vole and mouse control, they are opportunistic hunters and will readily prey on young Richardson’s ground squirrels when available.

Table 2. Recommended component measurements for a Barn owl nesting box.

Component	Measurement
Front and back panel height	16 inches
Front and back panel width	23 inches
Box depth	13 inches
Entering hole	4.5 inches wide by 3.75 inches high

Kestrel nesting box

Two diagrams with recommended measurements to build a kestral nesting box. One diagram shows the side view, including suggested lengths of individual panels. The second diagram shows the recommended width of the nesting box and dimensions of the entry portal..

Image 4. Kestrel nesting box diagram.

Installing kestrel nesting boxes is a sustainable approach to controlling Richardson’s ground squirrels. American Kestrels are the smallest North American falcons and active daytime hunters that readily prey on Richardson’s ground squirrels, making them an effective part of a natural management strategy.

Kestrels pose no threat to livestock or pets and require only open habitat and a suitable nest box to thrive. Encouraging kestrels to nest on your property not only reduces the need for chemical control methods but also supports sustainable farm management.

Table 3. Recommended component measurements for a kestrel nesting box.

Component	Measurement
Back mounting panel height	26 inches
Back panel height	20 inches
Front panel height	18 inches
Box depth (floor)	10 inches
Roof overhang (front)	15 inches
Box width	12 inches
Entering hole	3 inches wide by 4 inches tall

Lethal controls and timing

Timing is critical to achieve long-term reductions in Richardson’s ground squirrel populations using lethal methods.

Implement control in early spring between March and April, just before vegetation begins to turn green.
Don't bait at the very first signs of activity. Adult males typically emerge from hibernation 2 weeks before the females.

Learn more about the best time to implement lethal controls.

Trapping

Although trapping is labour intensive, it is highly effective, particularly in small areas. Trapping can be conducted any time of the year, but the best results are achieved soon after the adults emerge from winter hibernation.
Shooting

Where legal and safe shooting with a small caliber rifle can provide good control. This method is time consuming but can be cost effective. Granting access to recreational shooters can also reduce the time spent on control.
Fumigation

Richardson’s ground squirrels can be killed in their burrow systems by using toxic gases called fumigants. Gas cartridges are easy to use and are available at farm, hardware or horticultural retailers. Also, check with your local municipality to see what specialized carbon monoxide equipment may be available.

Poison

How to use

Read and follow the product label carefully. Only use products that are registered for Richardson’s ground squirrel control. It is an offence under the Pest Control Products Act to use rodenticide products in a way that is inconsistent with the label directions.

Poisoned bait must be placed directly into the burrow entrance or inside a safe and secure bait station.
Bait should be checked daily to maintain an uninterrupted supply of bait for 3 weeks or until feeding ceases.
To prevent secondary poisoning, carcasses should also be collected and disposed of daily.
Do not use bait that is more than a few months old after being opened. While the toxicity of the bait remains, its palatability decreases, making it less likely to be consumed by ground squirrels.
Before applying toxic grain baits, offer untreated grain at several active burrows. If the untreated grain is not eaten, the toxic bait will likely be ignored as well.

Each Richardson’s ground squirrel typically has multiple burrow entrances, so to reduce duplicated efforts, focus only on active burrows that show signs of recent soil disturbance.

Acute rodenticides

An acute poison is defined as a toxic substance that causes death after a single feeding, typically within a short period of time following consumption. Zinc phosphide acts as an acute poison by producing phosphine gas (PH₃) in the stomach of the animal, leading to death by asphyxiation. Since phosphine gas is not stored in the rodent’s tissues, the risk of secondary poisoning is greatly reduced.

Chronic rodenticides

Chlorophacinone and Diphacinone are anticoagulant baits registered for the control of Richardson’s ground squirrels. Anticoagulants interfere with the blood’s clotting mechanism, causing a relatively painless death from internal bleeding 3 to 4 days after the bait is consumed. Since these toxins accumulate in the rodent’s liver, the risk of secondary poisoning is significantly higher.

Non-toxic foam based

RoCon Concentrate Rodenticide is a control agent that causes death by asphyxiation or drowning. It is a rapidly expanding, soapy liquid applied directly into the burrow system using a pressurized tank and hand-held wand. The foam quickly fills the entire burrow causing Richardson’s ground squirrels to either drown in the foam or suffocate due to the displacement of air.

Registered products

Table 4 lists several products registered for the control of Richardson’s ground squirrels. In 2022 and 2023, a rodenticide efficacy evaluation was carried out through a collaborative effort between the Government of Alberta, the Municipal District of Willow Creek, and the Government of Saskatchewan.

All the products tested led to a significant reduction in Richardson’s ground squirrel populations when applied during the optimal baiting period. View the full results of the rodenticide efficacy evaluation.

Table 4. Products registered for the control of Richardson’s ground squirrels.

Product name	Active ingredient	PCP number	Exposure
Burrow Oat Bait	Zinc Phosphide	24795	Single feed
ZP Rodent Bait	Zinc Phosphide	14240	Single feed
Rozol RTU Field Rodent Bait	Chlorophacinone	29545	Multiple feed
Ramik Green Rodenticide	Diphacinone	11669	Multiple feed
RoCon ^TMConcentrate Rodenticide	White mustard seed powder and Sodium Alpha-olefin sulfonate	27400	Single application

Precautions

When using lethal control methods for Richardson’s ground squirrels it is important to follow all label directions to ensure safe and effective use.
Use only registered products and apply them in a way that minimizes risk to non-target species.
Always wear protective gear when handling toxic substances and avoid applying treatments during periods of high wind or rain to prevent drift or runoff.
Regularly inspect treated areas and properly dispose of any carcasses to prevent secondary poisoning of scavengers.
All toxicants are potentially dangerous and should be handled with the utmost care to avoid accidental poisoning.

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