Many people who have experienced an infestation of Prairie dogs often want to know how to get rid of Prairie dogs. The prairie dog has been hailed as a keystone species that is essential for a healthy grassland ecosystem.
Their underground burrows or holes are complex tunnels that have multiple chambers and entrances. They can be found at depths ranging from three to six feet.
Do you want to know how to get rid of Prairie dogs, and more? keep reading fam!
What are Facts About Prairie Dogs?
Prairie dogs are burrowing, stocky rodents that live in towns. French explorers named them “little dogs” because they made a lot of noise when they blinked.
About two million acres, consisting of five different species of prairie dogs, remain in North America today, mostly in the Great Plains.
It is a misnomer, as prairie dogs are not dogs and do not belong to canine families. The rodent family includes prairie dogs, squirrels, rats, and mice.
Black-tailed Prairie dogs are the most common and widespread of all prairie dogs. They get their name from their black-tipped tail. Read more prairie dog facts below.
The black-tailed prairie dog is most active during the summer and spends their day foraging. This species is not a true hibernator and can still be observed above ground during mid-winter.
During severe winter weather, the black-tailed Prairie Dog may choose to stay underground for several weeks.
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How Do I Identify Prairie Dogs?
The average adult black-tailed Prairie dog is 15 inches in length. Their bodies are covered with coarse, sandy brown or cinnamon hair. The tips of their fur are black.
Prairie dogs have a body with little underfur. They have light cream or white fur on their stomach. Prairie dogs are muscular and have short legs.
Prairie dogs get their name from the distinctive barking vocalizations they use. Prairie dogs use their vocalizations to communicate among themselves and warn other prairie dogs of danger signs, such as humans or predators.
These animals were called prairie dogs because their barks are similar in sound to those of canines. They also live in the prairies and have territorial instincts.
Five species are contained in this genus:
- The white-tailed prairie dog
- The black-tailed prairie dog
- The Utah prairie dog
- The Gunnison prairie dog
- The Mexican prairie dog
Detailed Description of the Prairie Dog?
| Prairie Dog Identifying Factor | Description |
| What is the Colour of the Prairie Dog? | The belly is usually light cream or white with black tips. |
| What is the Size of the Prairie Dog? | The adult black-tailed Prairie Dog is 14″ to 17″. (36 cm – 43 cm). |
| How Many Legs Does the Prairie Dog Have? | They have 4 legs. |
| What is the Shape of the Prairie Dog? | The body is covered with coarse hair and little underfur. |
Where Do Prairie Dogs Live?
Black-tailed Prairie Dogs live in colonies that are densely populated, scattered from northern Mexico down to southern Canada.
The species can be found occasionally in the Rocky Mountains but not at elevations above 8,000 feet. Prairie dogs are a species that prefers open vegetation and grasslands.
They avoid areas with tall vegetation and brush. Black-tailed Prairie Dogs often form colonies along rivers and creeks in the Great Plains.
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What Makes Up the Diet of Prairie Dogs?
- Green grasses
- Flowers
- Seeds
- Shoots
- Roots
- Insects
What Eats Prairie Dogs?
- Rattlesnakes
- Black Widow Spiders
Rattlesnakes rest in burrows throughout the day. Black widow spiders create webs inside abandoned prairie dog holes.
Both of these pests can bite, but they are rarely fatal. Prairie dogs are also a danger to livestock and local vegetation due to their constant feeding habits.
How To Get Rid of Prairie Dogs In My Property?
Prairie dogs graze in order to improve their ability to detect predators and to have a better view of the environment.
Prairie dogs may be present if you see small holes or changes in local vegetation. You can learn more about how to eliminate prairie dogs if you have a problem.
- Make the Habitat Uncomfortable For the Pest:
You can alter your landscaping to increase or reduce cover, food availability or to encourage predators. Do some research to determine the species of prairie dogs on your property before making any major changes.
Black-tailed Prairie Dogs, for example, actively clear the vegetation to see predators at a distance. You can limit the growth of a colony by creating a visual barrier at the edge.
- Allow Predators In Your Yard To Your Advantage:
You may decide to tolerate the presence of native predators to create a natural equilibrium that will help reduce your problem.
- Allow Vegetative Barriers:
It is possible to create visual and physical barriers that are very effective. Barriers and buffer zones are not 100% effective, but they can still be used.
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- Vinyl barrier fencing
- Snow fencing
- Wood-slatted privacy fencing
- Hay balestalls sturdy plants
- Tall grasses that grow quickly
- Shrubs
- Trees
- Electric fencing for keeping livestock out of 90-foot-wide zones
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It may be necessary to plant new plants or allow existing grasses in the area to grow taller and dense by cutting and mowing less frequently.
You may start with hay bales or vinyl barrier fencing with tall plants behind it. Black-tailed prairie dogs will clip plants higher than their preferred height.
- Employ the Use of Traps:
It is best to roughen up the live traps or to disguise them so that they are not too shiny. Since prairie dogs burrow, you’ll need to prepare several traps. Prairie dogs can communicate with their colony via warning barks.
Prairie dogs instinctively avoid anything that is unnatural. Your new shiny trap could scare them away. You can use grasses, seeds, and broadleaf plants that prairie dogs like to eat as bait.
- Allow For Hunting On Your Land:
You can rent your land to hunters if you don’t want to hunt prairie dogs. You will not only eliminate prairie dogs but also be paid. It’s a win-win situation.
The most common state permit for hunting prairie dogs is, as there’s a good chance that the animals are protected under laws and regulations.
These states, however, allow hunting and therefore, will allow more prairie dogs to be killed.
- Carry Out Fumigation On Your Land:
Carbon monoxide is very flammable, whereas aluminum phosphide can cause damage to the lungs, kidneys, and liver.
Carbon monoxide can be very flammable. Alu minum-phosphide, on the other hand, can damage the liver, kidneys, and lungs. Gas cartridges can be expensive, especially if you need to use them multiple times.
It is tedious to clean up the area afterward since you need to ensure that there are no toxic chemicals in your immediate vicinity or surrounding areas.
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Conclusion
If all else fails or you do not have time to do this yourself, then you should consider hiring a professional pest exterminator.
The companies that offer this service are licensed and permit holders, allowing them to eliminate prairie dog infestations without exposing your home or family to any chemicals.
Thanks for reading!
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