Do Gophers Hibernate in the Winter? The Answer Will Surprise You
Gophers are digging, intrusive pests that can wreak havoc on your lawn and garden. While people expect to see gophers during the summer, many believe that gophers go underground and sleep all winter long. So, is that true? Do gophers hibernate? This blog will answer that question and discuss how to protect your property from winter gopher predation. Let’s dive
How to Protect Grapes from Animals: A Complete Guide for California Vineyards
Ground squirrels and gophers can be terrible for vineyards. That’s bad news for California, where workers harvested about 3,632 thousand tons of wine grapes from vineyards in 2021 alone. Unfortunately, California ground squirrels and other animals can decimate a wine crop in days. Here at Smith’s Pest Management, we specialize in safeguarding San Francisco Bay Area vineyards from animals. In
A Complete Guide to Ground Squirrel Control for Bay Area Homeowners
California ground squirrels (Otospermophilus beecheyi) are small pests with brownish-gray fur, a light belly, and a bushy tail. They have small, round ears, dark eyes, and short legs. They love the Bay Area for its mild climate and access to open spaces. Unfortunately, they can destroy gardens and yards with their unsightly burrows. Plus, since they’re colony animals, if you
How to Get Rid of Yellowjackets in Your Yard: A Complete Guide [2026]
Yellowjackets are unwelcome visitors in any yard. These flying insects pack a painful sting, and their interest in your picnic table or frosty summer beverage is enough to make anyone squirm. Fortunately, you don’t have to live with troublesome yellowjackets forever. At Smith’s Pest Management, have helped San Francisco Bay Area customers eliminate yellowjackets in their homes and around their