Gophers Get Rid Of
Gophers Get Rid Of: Your Ultimate, Step-by-Step Guide
If you're reading this, chances are you've seen those tell-tale crescent-shaped mounds of dirt popping up in your beautiful yard. You're not alone! Pocket gophers are relentless subterranean pests that can ruin landscaping, gardens, and even irrigation systems faster than you can say "mole." But don't despair—we've got the battle plan right here. This comprehensive guide will walk you through exactly how you can successfully manage and ultimately ensure that gophers get rid of your property for good.
Dealing with these pests requires patience, strategy, and the right tools. We'll cover everything from identifying the intruder to implementing humane and permanent removal strategies. Let's reclaim your yard!
Understanding Your Enemy: Why Gophers Are a Problem
Pocket gophers, named for the external cheek pouches they use to carry food, are primarily herbivores. They spend almost their entire lives underground, digging extensive tunnel systems that can stretch for hundreds of feet. A single gopher can create several dirt mounds per day, turning a pristine lawn into a miniature lunar landscape overnight.
The damage they inflict isn't just cosmetic. Gophers feast on the roots of trees, shrubs, and ornamental plants, often causing fatal damage. Furthermore, their tunneling compromises the integrity of slopes and foundations, and their feeding habits can destroy valuable crops or expensive landscaping investments. Simply put, when gophers move in, immediate action is required to protect your investment.
Immediate Steps: How To Prepare Before You Gophers Get Rid Of Them
Before launching your full attack, you need to understand the extent of the infestation and ensure you are targeting the right animal. Many people confuse gophers with moles or voles, which require different removal strategies. Preparation is key to ensuring your efforts are effective.
Identifying Gopher Activity
Gophers leave distinct signs that set them apart from other burrowing pests. Learning to recognize these markers will help you place traps or deterrents in the most effective locations—usually the main tunnel.
Here are the key indicators of a gopher presence:
- Crescent-Shaped Mounds: Gopher mounds are typically fan or horseshoe-shaped, meaning the dirt pile has a flat side where the tunnel entrance is plugged with soil.
- Plugged Entrance: Unlike mole hills, the entrance hole on a gopher mound is usually hidden and tightly sealed with soil, as gophers prefer to remain protected.
- Tunnel Systems: Their feeding tunnels are usually about 6-12 inches deep, though their main nesting burrows can go much deeper.
- Plant Disappearance: If a favorite rose bush or vegetable plant suddenly seems to sink or disappear, a gopher likely pulled it down from below to eat the roots.
Safety First: Precautions
While battling gophers, remember that certain methods involve chemicals or sharp tools. Always prioritize the safety of pets, children, and yourself.
Consider the following safety guidelines:
- Wear gloves when handling traps or baits to avoid leaving human scent, which can deter gophers.
- If using poison baits, place them deep inside the active tunnel system, ensuring they are inaccessible to surface animals and domestic pets.
- Use caution when probing for tunnels; buried utility lines can be damaged if you dig blindly.
- Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for any chemical or trapping device you employ.
Proven Methods: The Best Ways Gophers Get Rid Of
When it comes to permanent gopher removal, you have two main paths: deterrence (humane) or elimination (lethal). Your choice will depend on your personal ethical stance and the severity of the infestation. Most experts agree that trapping is the most reliable method for localized control, but deterrents can help keep them away once they are gone.
Humane and Natural Deterrents
If your goal is simply to encourage gophers to relocate rather than exterminate them, natural deterrents are your go-to. These methods focus on making your yard an uncomfortable place for them to live.
Natural Repellents
Gophers have an excellent sense of smell, which can be used against them. Strong, pungent odors can irritate them enough to push them toward your neighbor's yard (hopefully not!).
Effective natural repellents include:
- Castor Oil: This is a very common commercial deterrent. Mixed with water and sprayed into the tunnels, it doesn't harm the gopher but makes the soil taste and smell horrible.
- Predator Urine: Introducing the scent of a fox or coyote can convince the gophers that their burrow is no longer safe.
- Garlic or Pepper Sprays: Planting highly aromatic plants like gopher purge (though toxic) or simply putting crushed garlic in tunnels may offer temporary relief.
- Vibration and Noise: Solar-powered sonic spikes are placed in the ground, emitting vibrations every few seconds. Gophers find these disturbances extremely annoying, though effectiveness varies widely.
Barrier Methods
The most permanent way to prevent gophers from reaching prized plants is installing physical barriers. This is especially useful for protecting new trees or raised beds.
For high-value plants, line the holes with hardware cloth (wire mesh with openings less than 1/2 inch) before planting. For gardens, consider extending the hardware cloth vertically around the perimeter of the bed and burying it at least two feet deep, with a slight outward flare at the bottom to discourage digging underneath. This ensures future generations of gophers get rid of your garden plans before they even start.
Lethal Solutions (If Necessary)
When the infestation is severe or deterrence fails, elimination becomes necessary. Trapping is widely considered the most effective, quickest, and most reliable solution, as it confirms the animal's removal.
The best methods for permanent elimination are:
- Trapping: Traps are set directly inside the main run, not the feeder tunnels. Popular traps include the Macabee trap or the cinch trap, designed to kill the gopher quickly. Success hinges on finding the main tunnel, which is usually 12-18 inches from the plugged mound. Set two traps facing opposite directions to catch the gopher regardless of which way it approaches.
- Fumigation/Tunnel Flooding: Flooding can sometimes work if the water table is low and you use a significant volume of water, potentially forcing the gopher out. Gas cartridges (fumigants) produce carbon monoxide or other toxic gases. These are highly effective but must be used carefully, following all safety regulations and avoiding areas near homes or utility lines.
- Poison Baits: Strychnine-laced grain baits are highly toxic and should be used as a last resort due to the risk of secondary poisoning to predators (like owls or coyotes) or house pets that might consume the poisoned gopher. If using bait, apply it only with specialized probes directly into the tunnel system.
Maintenance and Prevention
Once you've successfully removed the initial pests, maintaining vigilance is crucial. Gophers are attracted to lush, well-watered lawns and accessible food sources. Long-term management focuses on making your property less appealing to new arrivals.
Regularly inspect your yard for new mounds, especially after rain or snowmelt. If you spot a fresh mound, treat it immediately. A single gopher can quickly repopulate an area if left unchecked. Consider planting gopher-resistant plants in areas where you've had historical problems. Maintaining cleanliness and reducing weeds also removes potential food sources, helping future gophers get rid of your yard as a desirable habitat.
Conclusion
Dealing with gophers is frustrating, but with a targeted strategy, you can win the battle. Start by accurately identifying the pests and their active tunnels. For immediate relief, trapping remains the gold standard, offering quick and confirmed removal. Combine trapping with natural deterrents and physical barriers for the best long-term success.
Remember, persistence pays off. By being proactive and implementing the steps outlined above, you can stop asking how to "gophers get rid of" your property and start enjoying a pristine, pest-free yard once again!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Is it better to use traps or poison to get rid of gophers?
- Most professionals prefer trapping. Trapping is safer for the environment and non-target animals, and it provides certainty that the pest has been removed. Poison baits carry the risk of secondary poisoning to predators or pets.
- When is the best time of year to try and gophers get rid of them?
- The best time is generally spring or fall, particularly after the first rains have softened the soil, making it easier for them to tunnel and for you to place traps. However, immediate action is best whenever you spot active mounds.
- Do home remedies like chewing gum or mothballs really work?
- No. While folklore suggests various bizarre methods, there is no scientific evidence that items like chewing gum, human hair, or mothballs effectively deter or eliminate gophers. Stick to castor oil, professional traps, or approved baits.
- How do I know if a gopher mound is currently active?
- To check activity, simply flatten a mound and the surrounding area. If the mound reappears within 24 to 72 hours, the tunnel is active and is the perfect spot for setting a trap or applying deterrents.
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