US Nuclear Missile Base Swarmed By Squirrels
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
A U.S. nuclear missile base has been invaded by a predator capable of mass infrastructural damage: squirrels.
Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota has been overrun with Richardson Ground Squirrels, known to personnel as "dakrats," which have been a recurring issue at the base for decades.
Writing about the dakrats in 2009, Vicki Johnson, an engineer at Minot AFB, said: "Newcomers to the base often are delighted by the cute little critters, affectionately known as 'Dakrats,' they find popping up in their yards as spring approaches. For those who have lived here a little longer, the delight has faded, and the critters are no longer welcome."
Minot Air Force Base has been contacted via email for comment.
Main image, a retired Minuteman 1 missile stands at the main entrance to Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota on June 25, 2014. Inset, a Richardson's ground squirrel, otherwise known as a "dakrat."
Main image, a retired Minuteman 1 missile stands at the main entrance to Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota on June 25, 2014. Inset, a Richardson's ground squirrel, otherwise known as a "dakrat."
Main: Charlie Riedel, File/Main: AP Photo, Inset: Minot Air Force Base
Why It Matters
Squirrels may seem like cute, harmless creatures, but they can wreak havoc on base housing and carry disease, posing a risk to service members and their families.
They also cause structural damage to the base, which just received an $850 million upgrade for its nuclear weapons capabilities.
What To Know
Minot AFB is home to two branches of the U.S.'s Nuclear Triad. The term Nuclear Triad refers to America's air, land and sea nuclear launch capabilities.
It houses 26 B-52 bombers capable of carrying nuclear weapons and 150 Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles.
Despite its key role in the U.S. nuclear deterrent, the base has for several years had periods of being overrun with squirrels.
Its existence in remote North Dakota led to the elimination of natural predators, meaning the squirrels can reproduce en masse.
Regular pesticides do not work on these squirrels, and spraying more toxic poisons around the base is against federal law and could harm the children of service members who live on base.
On June 23, the base posted to Facebook announcing it is rolling out a three-step approach to handle the latest rodent invasion. The first is to have residents trap the squirrels in their backyard.
The second is "a more comprehensive trapping plan and increased traps for resident use," and the third is a long-term approach for "increased resourcing for fall and spring mitigation efforts to significantly decrease the on-base population."
Comments under this Facebook post from people who served on the base in the 1990s show the dakrats were an issue then, too.
The concerns about how much damage squirrels can do to housing at the base come at the same time as the Department of Defense said they are moving money away from Army barracks repairs into funding operations along the southern border.
As Minot is an Air Force base, it is unclear if funds for base repairs resulting from squirrel-related damage are similarly impacted by the DoD's budget plans.
What People Are Saying
Minot Air Force Base statement on Facebook: "The health, safety, and welfare of base residents is paramount. Action has been taken to direct Minot AFB Homes to implement a more concerted effort to address the issue."
Airman 1st Class Josh W. Strickland wrote in 2019: "One lone intruder. No problem. Ten thousand intruders is a different story entirely, especially when they are rodents."
What Happens Next
The three-pronged approach to tackling the rodents is expected to go on for the rest of 2025.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Here's the latest on the condition of Louisiana televangelist Jimmy Swaggart following heart attack
Louisiana televangelist the Rev. Jimmy Swaggart continues to cling to life in a Baton Rouge hospital without regaining consciousness following a heart attack at his home on June 15. A spokesperson for Jimmy Swaggart Ministries said Swaggart "is in the same condition — no change" in an email to USA Today Network on Wednesday. "He is currently in ICU surrounded by his family," ministry spokesperson Megan Kelly said. "There's still been no change. We are still in a holding pattern." Swaggart, 90, has led his Baton Rouge-headquartered ministry for decades with an international reach. His son, the Rev. Donnie Swaggart, said his father suffered cardiac arrest about 8 a.m. June 15. Donnie Swaggart said his father has been in grave condition following the heart attack. "Without a miracle, his time is short," Donnie Swaggart told the Jimmy Swaggart Ministries congregation. "But we believe in God. We're not giving up. We're going to give the Lord an opportunity to work." Swaggart is a native of Ferriday, growing up with famous musical cousins Jerry Lee Lewis and Mickey Gilley. He is the last surviving member of the musical trio. Swaggart's TV ministry reaches millions of Christians, but his career isn't without controversy. He admitted to adultery during a tearful confession to his congregation in 1988. Swaggart was defrocked by the Assembly of God church but continued his ministry. Swaggart's social media platforms have seen an outpouring of support for the minister, which his wife Frances said has comforted the family. "I wanted to take a moment and say thank you for your prayers — we feel them, and not your prayers only but also the love lifting them up before the Lord," Frances Swaggart said in a Facebook post. "Knowing that so many of you are praying for my husband and for us as a family — some of you praying by yourselves, others as entire congregations, even across denominations and from around the world — all of it is such a comfort and so moving, thank you." More: Louisiana Evangelist Jimmy Swaggart clings to life following heart attack Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1. This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Here's the latest on Louisiana televangelist Jimmy Swaggart's health
Newsweek
2 hours ago
- Newsweek
Senior Dog Has Adoption Event After 1,000 Days in Shelter—No One Shows Up
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A senior Lurcher who has spent over 1,000 days in kennels had an open day arranged just for him—but nobody turned up. Despite being ready and willing to meet potential adopters, Flash, the 9-year-old dog, was led back to his kennel in Dogs Trust Darlington in England. Nikki Holroyd, the shelter's manager, told Newsweek: "It was sad but he enjoyed a lovely day out of his kennel having fun with staff. He is a very playful lad." Despite being much-loved at the shelter by staff, he has been forced to celebrate another birthday without a place to call home. Flash sitting on the sofa and smiling with his mouth open. Flash sitting on the sofa and smiling with his mouth open. Dogs Trust The staff recently threw him a birthday party with presents, playtimes and snuggles, marking his third birthday in kennels. They say they want to make sure he turns 10 with a family of his own. "Flash is a gorgeous boy who the entire team adores, so we are struggling to understand why he has yet to find his special someone having spent nearly three years in our care," said Holroyd in a statement. "In this time, he has only met one prospective adopter. He has many friends and admirers here at the rehoming center, but we need to find an admirer willing to offer him the forever home he deserves." She describes him as a "playful, goofy, loving, and quick as a flash when enjoying off-lead zoomies." "He has learnt many tricks with our training team, which he is happy to show off. He loves enrichment toys and games and laps up all the fuss and affection he can get from his canine carers," Holroyd said. "Without fail, he makes us smile every day, and he has so much to offer as a four-legged best pal." While he does need ongoing medical care, Flash refuses to let age slow him down. He was recently invited to a staff members home for a sleepover and they were not only impressed with his calm demeanor in the car but also in their home. "He enjoyed a sleepover with a member of our team, and he was the perfect house guest," Holroyd said in the statement. "Flash loved the companionship and was especially fond of snoozing on the sofa. "We are confident he will soon adapt to life in a home, so we appeal to anyone looking for a fun-loving four-legged friend to please get in touch and come and meet our boy Flash." Flash is classed as one of Dogs Trust's "Underdogs," a term used for dogs waiting more than six months for a home. Staff say he would do best in an adult-only household as the only pet, with a garden to stretch his legs and time to get to know his new family before moving in. Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@ with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
Newsweek
2 hours ago
- Newsweek
Woman Fosters Rescue Dog—Then Discovers Her Hidden Talent
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A dog named Trudie who was saved from certain death is now safely with a foster carer, but not before her rescuers noticed she had an incredible hidden talent. Trudie doesn't walk or run, she hops. And her signature bounce has seen her likened to a "kangaroo". The young pup was rescued from China alongside three other dogs—Bunny, Benjamin, and Barney—through the efforts of Saving Harbin Dogs and Great Bulls Of China. Trudie was one of many dogs crammed into a truck and bound for sale in China's dog meat industry, the Humane Society International (HSI) reports that an estimated 30 million dogs are killed for human consumption each year across Asia, including 10-20 million in China alone. Now safely in the U.K. thanks to Silver Fox Dog Rescue, Trudie is temporarily in foster care and already making waves online for her joyful leaps in the air. The rescue shared a video of Trudie's trademark jumps on their Facebook page, and the caption said: "Sometimes dogs come along that are just special. Trudie is one of those." Pictures of Trudie who was rescued from the dog meat trade and has since been showing off her happy jumps. Pictures of Trudie who was rescued from the dog meat trade and has since been showing off her happy jumps. Silver Fox Dog Rescue Claire, who is currently fostering Trudie, told Newsweek: "Trudie is the sweetest girl you could ever meet. Understandably she is terrified of men currently." The dog meat trade is especially prevalent in southern provinces like Guangxi and Guangdong, with the city of Yulin being notorious for its annual Dog Meat Festival, but there are signs of change when it comes to the dog meat industry, in 2020, China banned the sale of dog and cat meat and cities passed laws to ban its consumption. The rescue shared the video of Trudie's adorable jumps on their Facebook page last month, where it amassed 72,000 views as people couldn't get enough. "Once she's assessed and vet-checked we will start taking applications for your very own Kangaroo," the post said. "Hello Trudie," said one commenter. "I'm off to show mum [this video], she loves dogs and goats and you're like two in one." While another viewer said: "Poodle x kangaroo, that's a new one on me. She's lovely." Another asked: "Is she half goat? She looks great fun!" "We don't know when she will be available for adoption just yet," Claire explained. With 34 dogs currently in their care, Silver Fox Dog Rescue always perform full health checks before dogs become available for adoption. Trudie is due her vet check on Thursday and then the shelter hope she will be available for adoption and find the right family who will love her jumping skills and sweet personality. Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@ with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
