PRAIRIE DOGS
 
Balancing our Ecosystem
Are the black-tailed prairie dogs whose “towns” we see in Castle Pines Village important to maintaining a balanced ecosystem in the Village? Absolutely!  In the ecologically important relationship between predator and prey, our black-tailed prairie dogs play an important role.  They are prey to coyotes, hawks, eagles, falcons, badgers, bobcats and fox, all also residents in the Village.  Of similar significance is our prairie dogs’ role in supporting over 140 species through the sharing of their burrows, increasing nutrient value and vegetative diversity through their constant nibbling of plant material and attracting a wide variety of species as a result.  The highly endangered black footed ferret and the rare burrowing owl depend entirely on prairie dog burrows for shelter.  Other species finding shelter in prairie dog towns are rabbits, fox, salamanders, snakes, toads, grasshoppers – the list is long. 

Perhaps, if we take a moment to enjoy these playful, communicative animals, we will begin to appreciate their necessary position in our ecosystem.  Watch as they touch teeth in “kisses” of familial recognition, laugh as they stand on hind feet with paws in the air, head thrown back to give their “jump-yip” all-clear signal, enjoy their babies in spring as they romp and wrestle near the burrow entrance. 

Prairie dog habitat is clearly threatened, not only because of agricultural non-compatibility, but also by urban sprawl.  With time, prairie dog overpopulation is followed by under-population and the natural cycles continue.  Before we completely remove their habitat, before the many species closely affected by the destruction of prairie dog towns become threatened and to help maintain healthy biological diversity, we must learn to coexist with these interesting creatures.

VOLES

Controlling Vole Landscape Damage
Are there runways in your lawn?  Each spring when the snow cover has finally melted from your yard, have you noticed anything new? If you think your yard is looking spongy, or seems to have little mazes of shallow tunnels running through it dotted by small holes, you are not imagining it -you have prairie voles.  
Voles are small rodents, often called field or meadow mice, measuring four to eight inches long. They are pudgy critters with small ears and short tails and vary in color from gray to dark brown. Their destructive potential is increased by their behavior. Voles do not hibernate; they are active day and night; and they like to construct one to two inch wide surface runways and underground tunnels with numerous burrow entrances. A single burrow system may contain several adults and young which can reproduce rapidly. Population levels usually peak every three to five years. They eat a variety of grasses and agricultural crops and also eat the bark on trees and shrubs, especially during fall and winter. 
Natural Predators: Vole predators include coyotes, foxes, owls, crows, and some snakes. A predator population helps control the numbers of voles but will not eliminate them completely. Habitat management is the most successful and longest lasting method of reducing vole damage to your landscape. To repair existing runway damage to your lawn rake, fertilize, reseed and water the affected area. As much as possible, eliminate ground cover or weeds and tall grasses by frequent and close mowing from spring through fall and applying herbicides where appropriate. You may want to plant crown vetch, a legume that is unpalatable to voles, as a border around areas you want to protect.
One of the most effective ways to discourage burrowing voles, in limited areas, is to repeatedly break down burrows using a shovel or a hoe. Eventually, the voles get tired of rebuilding and will move to an area where they are undisturbed.

To protect against vole damage to young trees or shrubs, try exclusion. Encircle trees or shrubs with 1/4 inch mesh hardware cloth or three inch diameter Vexar plastic-mesh cylinders installed from 18 inches above the ground to three to six inches below.  
Only a few repellants are manufactured for use against voles. The one used by the Country Club at Castle Pines, which has experienced some vole damage to the golf course, is capsaicin (the “hot” in hot sauce). One brand is Hot Sauce Animal Repellent. Be sure to read all label directions carefully. 
Trapping is not effective against a large vole population but may be useful if you have only a small infestation. Place mouse snap traps, baited with a peanut butter-oatmeal mixture or apple slices, perpendicular to the runway with the trigger end in the runway. You’ll have more success with this method in the fall or late winter. 
We do NOT recommend toxicants (poison baits) because they can be consumed by non-target animals, pets, or even children with disastrous results. Remember, all these poisons eventually leach into our waterways endangering amphibians, reptiles, fish and the animals that come to drink at the source.  
(NOTE: No endorsement of products is intended nor is criticism implied of products not mentioned.)
SQUIRRELS

The squirrels living in Castle Pines Village are Fox Squirrels. Fox squirrels favor cottonwood trees, wetlands and mature forests. They forage on the ground burying their main food of nuts. They eat pine seeds, fungi, buds, berries, insects, and an occasional bird or bird eggs. They also frequent bird feeders and can jump from trees to reach the seed. Wild bird retail store can provide various types of baffles to discourage squirrels from reaching bird feeders.

Fox squirrels build nests out of sticks and leafy material, and may maintain several nests.
Squirrels can become a nuisance when nesting inside attics. Trapping wildlife inside Castle Pines Village is strictly prohibited. Trapping of squirrels, however, is permitted if it is on the homeowners’ property footprint. Trapping and relocating squirrels can be accomplished by a licensed exterminator listed in the Yellow Pages.

Please Note: Removing squirrels from your property does not eliminate squirrels permanently. Squirrels in the neighborhood continue reproducing and soon their population returns balancing food resources available.