Ground Squirrel and Prairie Dog Solutions

   What do you think of my friends? Gizmo, Charlie, Hannah and Godiva, graze and guard our pasture. Chances are, if something is happening at the ranch, they are in the middle of it. They play with their big red ball, chase the sheep, and they are very vocal when we they think they aren't getting enough attention. Those little donkeys get away with a lot because they are so darn cute!   Ground squirrel holes can literally be a pain or much worse for equines. When we choose to have animals in our lives, it is our great responsibility to make sure they are healthy and safe. That includes regular vet visits, worming, checking their fencing and preventing injuries. The last thing we want is for one of our horses or little donkeys to get hurt.   Fall is officially here! Out here in Northern California, the fall colors are not as brilliant as they are east of us. Actually, where we live, if the area isn't irrigated, it's pretty much just dry ...

           Coyotes - whether you love them or hate them, you have to admit they are excellent ground squirrel control. Small mammals such as, ground squirrels and rabbits, make up most of the coyote's dinner menu.They will also go after livestock and eat carrion. The livestock part is what makes coyotes the enemy of many ranchers.   When lambs or llamas are being born at our ranch, coyotes seem appear from out of nowhere. Our llamas are usually the first to spot the coyote. They sound the alarm at the ranch with their "Xena Warrior Princess" yells. Our three Great Pyrenees will reply in loud barks and race to find the coyote. The llamas will often already be running toward the coyote with the miniature donkeys, not far behind. The sheep will get the message and run into their pen. We humans, will try to keep up with all of the action and may spot a llama chasing the coyote to the fence or the dogs chasing it in the hills. As ...

  These 3 Amigos are the inspiration behind the Burrow Blocker.   Horses are magnificent and powerful creatures! Our horses are part of our family. We play, snuggle, and help each other when needed. Just like with my kids, my job is to love, care for and protect them. That means making sure the area they love to run and frolic in, is free from dangerous ground squirrels holes.   At Burrow Blocker, I've received many calls from people who share their lives with horses. They all have the same love and fear. They love to watch their beautiful horse break into a run and they cringe with fear at the same time because they are afraid that their horse will be severely injured from stepping into a ground squirrel hole.    We know that fear. That's why John designed the patent-pending Burrow Blocker, ground squirrel control machine. Fortunately for us and our horses, we now relax and enjoy the gorgeous late summer sunsets withou...

This summer, I got to know Peter Breen. He is concerned about the environment and actually does something about it. Along with his lovely wife, Ione, and his son, Leon Ingebrigtsen, he runs Lakeport Farms. They grow organic walnuts and grapes in Lakeport County, California. Peter is a highly intelligent, high energy guy that always makes me smile.   When Peter called inquiring about the Burrow Blocker, I felt like he was selling me on the concept behind the workings of the machine. He loved the idea of controlling the ground squirrels through habitat modification. It wasn't long before John and Mike were on their way up to Lakeport to deliver a Burrow Blocker to Peter, Ione and Leon.      Peter & Ione Breen, Mike Tikalsky, and Leon Ingebrigtsen at Lakeport Farms - August 1, 2012. Better than having me try to explain Peter's experience with ground squirrels and the Burrow Blocker, read it in his own words:  "We have nine acres of waln...

Do you know the difference between a Gr ound Squirrel and a Gopher ? If you are battling burrowing rodents on your property, after awhile you might just start channeling Carl Spackler, Bill Murray's character in the movie, Caddyshack. Remember when Sandy McFiddish, the head groundskeeper of the golf course told Carl, in his rich Scottish accent, "Carl, I want you to kill all the golfers on the golf course."? Carl replied, " Correct me if I'm wrong Sandy, but if I kill all the golfers they'll lock me up and throw away the key." Sandy yelled, " Not golfers, you great fool! Gophers, rodents! THE LITTLE BROWN, FURRY THINGS!" Carl replied, "We can do that. We don't even need a reason." Remember that destructive dancing gopher in Caddyshack? (Be patient...it has a long intro.)     Most of the people that visit this blog, do have a reason. They want those destructive diggers to just stop destroying ...

I've got him cornered! Now what? If you are relying on Rocky for your ground squirrel control,  you'd better call Burrow Blocker ! http://www.burrowblocker.com

Squirrels love trees! Even ground squirrels love them! Instead of scurrying about the branches, the little diggers do what they do best - chew and dig. They dig at the base of trees and eat the roots, bark and the fruit or nuts the tree produces.   Since rodents live to chew, even irrigation equipment is in danger. Sometimes when they feel the coolness of the irrigation hose, they'll bite right into it to get a blast of water. Chances are if you are a farmer, you have seen the bite marks on irrigation hoses and have been forced to make costly repairs.   Orchards would be fine if ground squirrels only ate a few pieces of fruit. The problem is when there is an over-population of them and they do what they do in massive quantities. Hundreds of ground squirrels chewing and digging in an orchard means massive destruction.  Did you know that crews have refused to harvest crops because of the overabundance of dangerous ground squirrel holes? In one walnut ...