These are not tree rats. These are ground squirrels. Potguts. Small prairie dogs. Burrowers.
They are controllable, if the government is not in charge of the situation.
Weapons of choice are suppressed small caliber rifles with scopes, .17 or 22 Mag. Shoot the first two or three and wait for their buddies to come out to snack on their dead bodies. By days end it looks like the day after Gettysburg.
Are they also known for carrying Hanta(sp) Fever and Bubonic Plague?