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Pismo Beach’s squirrel population is eroding the bluffs

May 4, 2025

By KAREN VELIE

An exploding squirrel population is leading to rapid bluff erosion and damaging parks in Pismo Beach, leading the City Council to discuss options such as poison, birth control, small gas chambers and shooting the rodents.

Two years ago, the city stopped using bait to control the squirrel population because of the danger of other animals eating the poison. As a result, squirrel tunnels have accelerated bluff erosion and contributed to bluff failures.

During an April 15 City Council meeting, city staff suggested several options to reduce the squirrel population:

  • Rozal poison – This method was not recommended because of the high toxicity to people and animals, especially dogs.
  • Carbon monoxide poisoning of the tunnels – This is the current method in use. The city performs it every two weeks, but it is largely ineffective because of the size of the tunnel complex.
  • Mechanical control – This method involves trapping of squirrels and then either shooting them or placing the rodents in small gas chambers.
  • Birth control – Squirrels breed two times a year from June through August and from December through February, which could lead to temporary use of birth control. However, there is not an effective squirrel birth control at this time.

After discussing the options, the City Council directed staff to do what they think is best.

 


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That’s not a ground squirrel in the photo, CalCoast news failed biology. We used to just shoot them. But with non lead ammo, it’s expensive and its not accurate. Plus, now I think there is a law that you can’t shoot near the ocean because commercial fishermen were blasting all the seals and otters. The best ground squirrel population control is hawks and coyotes. But that’s not happening with humans around scaring away natures control system.


1

Tunneling rodents can do a great deal of damage… its not wrong to lessen their population… you all do that in your own yards…


3

Why not just let nature do its thing? Only a moron would build on those cliffs.


6

I guarantee the tree squirrel in the photo is not eroding the bluffs.


14

Good luck with those mammalian cockroaches. They will survive the nuclear winter. Oh, wait, I forgot, it’s another place to spend a million taxpayer dollars.


13

Put up owl boxes and let the birds take care of it. Oh and actually fine people for feeding the squirrels. Simple and cost effective.


19

Fine people for feeding the squirrels? Yes, let’s fine every person who decides to grow a veggie garden in their back yard. $5 per tomato? $3 per bell pepper? God forbid you have an established apple tree in your back yard?


-20

…no one is growing apple trees or gardens on the public property bluffs where “squirrel treatment” occurs. Tourists, and ignorant locals, feed the squirrels their processed snacks and scraps… Easy food means lots of reproduction, the population then explodes and erodes the bluffs. Get it? Animals eating food in the wild isn’t the same as them being “fed” lol


14

For once, perspective24 is 100% correct.


Before all the hand wringing about condors, there were hundreds of us shooting squirrels by the bushel most every weekend. Heck, over half my rifle collection were built solely for long range varmint shooting. Ranchers and farmers invited us out, to keep their pastures, ranges, and fields clear.


But, thanks to the so-called environmentalists, who managed to get lead hunting ammo banned, varmints of all specie have exploded in numbers. See, good accurate “lead free” .22 rimfire ammo doesn’t exist. Some companies offer their version, but it just doesn’t shoot very accurately, unless you have a very custom barrel made and fitted to your receiver. Obviously, nearly all centerfire ammo would not be appreciated near housing, due to noise and severe over-penetration. The state changed the nature of hunting legislation, making shooting ground squirrels part of the hunting regulations, forcing you to get an annual or seasonal license. The same as they did for wild pigs…which used to be classified as varmints, and no limit.


The state used to offer a tail bounty on squirrels, coyotes, rabbits, and hares. Thanks to people “saving the planet”, that program was dropped, also resulting in varmint populations exploding.


Which now leaves poisons (which nobody likes), gassing (which nobody likes), propane detonations (which only appeals to the person doing the detonations), smoking (which nobody likes), and flooding (which violates all sorts of municipal codes).


So. Your house is falling into the ocean? Thank the people that saved the earth…..from something.


2

Bruh… pls dont agree with me lol. l certainly dont agree with almost anything in your reply. Being “pro lead” is just wild! Guns are not necessary here, or in most cases outside active wars and policing but. Pls get your permits and follow the guidlines as best as you, can. Thx.


-1

Well, our “unnecessary guns” kept the varmint population in fairly good check. Requiring licensing and “permits”, along with ammo that simply doesn’t work well, significantly reduced the number of varmint hunters across the state, that worked for free.


The number of varmints has advanced to the point of being out-of-control. That is why coyotes, skunks, squirrels (tree and ground), bobcats etc are now part of the urban landscape, and your lovely pet kitty cat became dinner.


Don’t blame guns and hunters for the fact you have to use poisons to control what used to not be a problem.


0

I find the choice of “varment” very telling… doubtful the animals on your kill list match those of, well, anyone that appreciates nature, and certainly not the regulating authority.

If you read my initial comment you would know im not advocating for poison. Ever seen the boxes on poles out at rural farms? Those are houses for owls. Owls hunt rodents. Nature provides a solution to many problems.

Find a shooting range huh? If thats not enough to make you happy; maybe ask yourself whats its really about…


0

Why bother, seas are rising at an alarming rate. Global warming win. Let the porpoise eat them. Sorry, I’m just a di(k. I actually liked your post.


1