Ground Squirrel BMP 

HOW THEY WORK:

Conibear traps are usually placed right over the burrow entrance and the squirrel passes through it on its way out of the burrow. The trap closes on the neck of the squirrel.

HOW TO USE IT:

There are a couple of different ways you can set conibear traps:     

• Burrow Entrances:  non-bait method 
  1.  Determine that burrows are active and used by ground squirrels. Your local county agricultural commissioner office should be able to help you in identifying which burrows belong to ground squirrels and which ones may belong to endangered species.
  2.  Set the conibear trap and place it in the burrow entrance.
  3.  Stake down the trap to prevent it from being carried off.
  
  
  4.  Fill the sides in with soil. This will prevent the squirrel from escaping through the side.
  5.  Be sure to collect dead squirrel carcasses every day. Dispose of carcasses properly.
  6.  Release the trigger in the evening to avoid killing nocturnal animals. Note: One idea to make these traps more effective is to place a piece of roofing material over the trap so that it is like an extended tunnel for the burrow. This puts the outside light further away from the trap, so the squirrel is likely to run right through the trap, thinking that the end of the tunnel is further away than it actually is.
  
• Box Method:  You can also build a box and fit the conibear trap to it so that it works like a box type trap.
  
  Conibear trap with cover
  
  1.  Place traps near burrows or in runways. Be sure to secure trap to the ground or other solid object to prevent scavengers from carrying them off.
  2.  Bait, but do not set the traps. This will get the squirrels accustomed to them and increase the effectiveness of the traps.  Bait must be at least as attractive as what they are currently feeding on.  Good baits are walnuts, almonds, slices of orange, pieces of melon, wheat, oats, and barley.
  3. After 2-3 days, re-bait and set traps.
  4.  Check traps daily to remove carcasses. Dispose of carcasses properly.
  5.  Release the trigger in the evening to avoid killing nocturnal animals.

SAFETY:

• This control method is non-toxic. However, you should be especially careful with the conibear traps because they are very strong and can severly damage extremities (fingers, hands, etc).

WHERE TO GET IT:

Clicking the link below will bring you to a supplier list. Keep in mind that it is being revised and some of the entries may be outdated.
http://wildlifedamage.unl.edu/handbook/handbook/allPDF/sup_mat.pdf

LAWS AND REGULATIONS :

• The Department of Fish and Game stipulates that all traps must be checked and all animals removed at least once daily.
• Fur for ground squirrels cannot be used for commercial purposes when trapped with conibear traps.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS:

• NA