Journal of NACAA

Managing Piute Ground Squirrels in Cropland in Southwest Utah

ISSN 2158-9429

Volume 14, Issue 1 - June 2021

Editor: Linda Chalker-Scott

Abstract

The Piute ground squirrel, (Spermophilus mollis) previously known as a subspecies of Townsends ground squirrel, populations on agricultural lands are increasing in southwest Utah. A small, gray squirrel found predominantly in the Great Basin, the Piute ground squirrel can cause significant damage to alfalfa, grasses, and other agronomic crops. The reduction in alfalfa and other crop yields and the cost of controlling Piute ground squirrels to farmers in western Utah exceeds hundreds of thousands of dollars annually (Nelson et al. 2012). Squirrels have increased in infested areas each year and are showing up in places not previously found. Previous control programs such as shooting, flooding, treating with zinc phosphide and gopher bait have not been effective. For the past several years Utah State University Extension has conducted trials to determine which baits are most accepted and when is the best time to apply them. We conducted 2 experimental case studies to test the effectiveness of Rozol (a pelleted bait) and Fumitoxin to reduce ground squirrel numbers in southern Utah. Both Rozol and Fumitoxin reduced ground squirrel numbers in our treated sites.