In which areas are California ground squirrels predominantly recognized as pests?

California ground squirrels are predominantly recognized as pests in uncultivated and unmanaged sites due to their behavior and the habitats they prefer. These areas often lack active management and can provide ideal conditions for ground squirrels to thrive, such as abundant food sources and suitable burrowing locations. Their populations can grow unchecked in these environments, leading to potential damage to natural habitats, landscape disruption, and conflicts with human activities.

In contrast, while urban cultivated environments may experience some issues with ground squirrels, it is primarily the unmanaged sites that see significant pest problems because these rodents can proliferate more easily in areas where there are fewer human interventions or controls. Near farmland, while they can be a nuisance, management practices are often in place to mitigate their impact. Wetland reserves generally provide more controlled environments that are less conducive to large ground squirrel populations.