Have you noticed dirt mounds, bare patches of lawn, or dead or dying plants?
If so, you could have a burrowing pest problem.
Here at Smith’s Pest Management, we’ve spent more than 20 years helping residents in Contra Costa County get rid of the critters that are bugging them.
Fortunately, we’ve compiled all of our burrowing pest knowledge into this comprehensive guide.
Key Takeaways
- The most common burrowing pests in Orinda, CA, include pocket gophers, California ground squirrels, moles, voles, and chipmunks.
- To get rid of these burrowing pests, identify the species present and then use methods like trapping, baiting, and exclusion to control their numbers.
- If you’d like more help or your DIY methods aren’t cutting it, contact Smith’s Pest Management at (408) 871-6988.
Common Burrowing Pests in Orinda
1. Pocket Gophers
How to Identify Them:
Pocket gophers are small rodents known for their powerful front claws and fur-lined cheek pouches.
They typically measure around 6-8″ and have strong, stout bodies.
Common Species in Orinda:
In Orinda, California, the most common species is the Botta’s pocket gopher (Thomomys bottae), also known as “valley pocket gophers.”
Damage They Cause:
- Pocket gophers create intricate networks of tunnels and mounds, which can damage lawns, gardens, and underground utility lines.
- Their feeding habits destroy plant roots and can kill your garden and ornamental shrubs.
Seasonal Activity:
- Pocket gophers are active year-round (including in the winter!)
- Activity may increase during the spring and fall.
How to Get Rid of Them:
- Set traps in active tunnels.
- Deploy baits designed to target and kill gophers.
- Bury wire mesh barriers to protect specific areas from gopher damage.
- Check out our comprehensive gopher control guide for more information.
2. California Ground Squirrels
How to Identify Them:
California ground squirrels have slender bodies, bushy tails, and coats ranging from gray to brown.
They typically measure around 12-18″ in length, including their tails.
Common Species in Orinda:
One common ground squirrel in Orinda is the California ground squirrel (Spermophilus beecheyi).
Damage They Cause:
- California ground squirrels are known for building extensive underground burrow systems, which can cause structural damage.
- Their digging activities damage lawns, gardens, and irrigation systems.
- They may also feed on plants, fruits, and vegetables and girdle trees and shrubs.
Seasonal Activity:
- California ground squirrels are most active during the spring and summer.
How to Get Rid of Them:
- Trapping is the best way to manage California ground squirrel populations
- Sometimes, wire mesh can be used to limit digging and protect plants.
- Check out our complete ground squirrel control guide for more detailed tips.
3. Moles
How to Identify Them:
Moles are small mammals with cylindrical bodies, velvety fur, and paddle-like forelimbs built for digging.
They typically measure about 5-7″.
Common Species in Orinda:
In Orinda, the most common mole species is the western mole (Scapanus).
Damage They Cause:
- Moles create extensive tunnel systems as they search for earthworms and insects.
- These tunnels can disrupt lawns, gardens, and landscapes and cause unsightly mounds and uneven, dangerous terrain.
Seasonal Activity:
- Moles are active throughout the year.
- Mole damage often worsens during the spring and fall seasons when the soil is moist, and plenty of insects are around.
How to Get Rid of Them:
- Set traps in active mole tunnels.
- Drench the soil with castor oil-based repellents.
- Reduce irrigation to create dry soil and limit the presence of earthworms and insects – moles’ favorite food sources.
- Check out our mole control guide for more tips.
4. Voles
How to Identify Them:
Voles, also known as meadow mice, resemble small rodents with stocky bodies, short tails, and rounded snouts. They typically measure around 4 to 8 inches in length.
Common Species in Orinda:
The most common vole species in Orinda is the California vole (Microtus californicus).
Damage They Cause:
- Voles dig intricate tunnel systems just below the surface of your lawn and garden, damaging the roots of plants, trees, and shrubs.
- They may also feed on bulbs, tubers, and seeds.
Seasonal Activity:
- Voles don’t hibernate, so they tend to be active year-round.
- They’re most active in the spring and summer when vegetation grows quickly.
How to Get Rid of Them:
- Use traps to limit vole populations.
- Bury wire mesh or hardware cloth under your new garden or lawn, or plant trees and shrubs in vole baskets to protect them from gnawing.
- Remove excess vegetation and limit ground cover.
- Check out our comprehensive guide for more vole control tips.
5. Chipmunks
How to Identify Them:
Chipmunks are small, ground-dwelling rodents with a striped pattern on their backs and distinctive facial markings.
They’re usually around 5-6″ long.
Common Species in Orinda:
The most common chipmunk species in Orinda is the California chipmunk (Tamias obscurus).
Damage They Cause:
- Chipmunks can damage your garden by digging holes and tunnels in and around your plants.
- They may also feed on bulbs, seeds, and young plants.
Seasonal Activity:
- Chipmunks are active year-round but tend to be more active during spring and fall when they’re busy gathering food for winter storage.
How to Get Rid of Them:
- Use traps to catch chipmunks.
- Protect plants by placing wire mesh or hardware cloth over or around them.
- Make your space less inviting for chipmunks by removing excess vegetation and reducing ground cover.
When to Call in the Pest Control Pros
DIY pest control doesn’t always do the trick.
When that’s the case, bringing in the experts can make all the difference.
Here are some signs it might be time to call for help:
1. When the Infestation is Serious
If you’re dealing with a significant pest problem, such as a large number of destructive voles or California ground squirrels, it’s time to call in the professionals.
2. Your DIY Methods Aren’t Cutting it
If the traps and baits you’ve set out aren’t solving your pest problem, it’s time to call in the experts.
Smith’s Pest Management uses eco-friendly, humane methods to tackle even the most persistent pest infestations.
This means you enjoy fast, comprehensive results and a pest-free space.
3. You Don’t Want to DIY!
DIY pest control isn’t for everyone, and that’s perfectly fine!
Hiring a professional is an excellent option when you want the job done quickly, correctly, and without a lot of hassle on your part.
Don’t Live With Burrowing Pests: Smith’s Pest Management Can Help!
If burrowing pests are damaging your property, you need a reliable pest control company that can help end the infestation.
Fortunately, Smith’s Pest Management is here for you.
We’ve been providing customized burrowing pest control solutions for Bay Area customers for over 20 years, and we can help you reclaim your property.
Call us today at (408) 871-6988 to learn more about our Orinda pest management control services or request your free quote!
How can I prevent burrowing pests on my Orinda property?
Keeping burrowing pests away requires a mix of approaches.
Here are some tips:
- Tidy Up Your Yard: Remove debris, trim back overgrown plants, and get rid of anything that could create a cozy spot for pests to nest.
- Install Barriers: Set up underground barriers to stop pests from digging into your yard. Wire mesh beneath your lawn and landscaping or deep trenches lined with rocks are great options.
- Monitor for Pest Activity: Watch for sightings of live or dead critters or signs of their presence, like droppings, tunnels or dirt mounds, or gnaw damage on your trees or plants.
Why do I have burrowing pests in my yard?
Burrowing pests are drawn to yards that provide food, shelter, and the right conditions.
Things like uncovered trash, leftover food, overgrown plants, or easy access to water can make your yard an easy target.
What Orinda pest control regulations should I know about?
If you’re dealing with pests in Orinda, there are a few important regulations to keep in mind:
- Some rodenticides and trapping/dispatch methods aren’t allowed in Orinda or anywhere in California, so it’s important to contact your local Fish and Wildlife department to double-check what’s legal and what’s not.
- If your property is in a designated agricultural setting or near a natural waterway, you may need special permits or permissions to use certain pesticides. Again, check with your local Fish and Wildlife department to be sure.
- In Orinda, it’s the law that any pest control pro you hire needs to be properly licensed and insured.
What's the best time of year to address burrowing pest problems in Orinda?
We recommend targeting your pest control efforts for late winter and early spring – between February and March – since this is when many pest populations start breeding.
That said, Orinda has a mild climate, which means that some pests are active all year long.
As such, it’s important to monitor pest activity regularly and jump in to address signs of infestation whenever and wherever they crop up.
