[GeronL]

Protected species??

Put the hose down the hole and flood them out. target practice.

Prairie dogs?

[goat granny]

I think a hose for under the patio would collapse it in time...A live trap is the best way..Got rid of coons and possum with it. Also once in a while a large rat...I always used the medium size trap, bait it with jam or jelly in an old margarine tub, make 2 holes in the bottom of the tub and tie it to the trap bottom as far back from the trigger as you can get...Coons are smart enough to reach over the trip lever and lift the tub out..Live traps run about 40 dollars..Then take it way out in the country and drop it off away from any barns. Those buggers are hated by farmers as they can burrow so much a side of a barn can collapse..