Overview

• Minot Air Force Base trapped more than 800 squirrels this month as city crews and private operators intensify removal efforts across municipal and school properties.
• Street Department officials concede complete eradication is impossible given the species’ deep roots on the northern Plains and booming population.
• Each female Richardson’s ground squirrel produces about six offspring annually, making it difficult for control measures to keep pace with rapid reproduction.
• Patchy neighborhood participation and the absence of natural urban predators like coyotes or badgers hinder long-term reduction strategies.
• Burrowing rodents are inflicting driveway and sidewalk damage, posing tripping hazards and carrying flea-borne diseases, and some residents have sabotaged lethal traps in defense of the animals.