Richardson's Ground Squirrel Management
The Richardson’s ground squirrel, commonly called a 'gopher', is a burrowing rodent found across most of Alberta’s prairie and parkland regions.
Under the Agricultural Pests Act, Richardson’s ground squirrels are classified as a nuisance species. This means landowners have the right to control them on their property but are not required to implement control measures.
Farmers across the prairies experience significant gopher damage to crops, hay and pasture. Crop losses increased, insurance claims went up and other control options were not effective during high infestations.
The federal Pesticides Regulatory Directorate approved the emergency use of 2% liquid strychnine to control Richardson’s ground squirrels from March 30, 2026 to November 1, 2027. Strychnine will give prairie farmers an important tool for gopher control and encourage responsible use.