Several alternatives are available for reducing populations of ground squirrels. The Wyoming ground squirrel (Spermophilus elegans) is one of six species of ground squirrels found in Colorado. Landowners may elect to reduce populations themselves or hire a commercial firm for the control methods. For small populations, wire-mesh cage traps can be set anywhere that squirrels frequent. Traps are placed on level ground within a few feet of burrows or other high-activity areas, and baited for several days with the door wired open to get squirrels accustomed to and unafraid of the trap. Wooden snap-type rat traps and modified pocket gopher traps also can be used. Bait can be rolled oats, peanut butter, fruit such as apples, or grain, depending on what works best in the area and the time of year. If corn is used as bait, it should be cracked. A more practical method for controlling large numbers of Wyoming ground squirrels is the use of poison grain bait, which is most effective at two points during the Wyoming ground squirrels' annual cycle--early spring, or late June to early July. Small, isolated colonies of Wyoming ground squirrels can also be effectively controlled by shooting, which lowers the population by removing individuals and disrupting their life cycle. However, if there are other colonies of ground squirrels nearby, individuals from those populations will migrate into the area where squirrels are being removed, so for effective control, a population must be kept under constant shooting pressure. For more information, see fact sheet Managing Wyoming Ground Squirrels.

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