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1 Easy Way to Identify What Lives in a Hole

What's in that hole?

Property riddled with holes? Thinking of shoveling a scoop of dirt in each hole is the answer? Think again. 

Know what inhabits the hole before attempting to destroy it. Digging away like Pepper in the above video, is what not to do. Start by educating yourself on the endangered and protected animals in your area. Check with your local Agricultural Commissioner's Office and for helpful info, read my blog post: "What Lives in that Hole?"


Still Not Sure What's in that Hole? 

1 Easy Way to Find Out is to Set Up a Video Camera!

Last month, Mike and Daniel provided Burrow Blocker ground squirrel control service at a solar field in the Central Valley of California. They saw a large hole, possibly a den and wanted to verify the inhabitants before filling it with slurry from the Burrow Blocker machine.

Mike and Daniel thought it might be a coyote den, so they set up a motion-activated video camera to. Check out the results:



Did you see the wily predator? The Burrow Blocker guys had visual confirmation that it was a coyote den and did not disturb it.

The Central Valley is also home to protected animals such as the Kit Fox and Burrowing Owl. Wherever you live, before destroying a burrow or using poison in a hole, verify that you are actually treating the targeted pest.

FYI - Topping off a hole with dirt doesn't eliminate the digging critter. It's much like closing a door. The critter is still inside and can use the back door or dig open the covered entrance. The Burrow Blocker uses a slurry of sand and water to fill ground squirrel and prairie dog holes. The hole is not just topped off, it is completely filled.

On July 12th, I'll be in San Diego talking about ground squirrels at the PAPA Seminar. If you need continuing education units, this a beautiful marina location with excellent food, and of course, the speakers are amazing! LOL

~Lisa

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