Gophers are notorious for the damage they inflict on lawns, gardens, and agricultural fields. These subterranean rodents create extensive tunnel systems, leading to unsightly mounds of dirt and significant destruction of plant roots. If you are wondering how to get rid of gophers, you are in the right place. Understanding their behavior and employing the right strategies are key to reclaiming your yard.
Successfully getting rid of gophers requires a multi-faceted approach, combining prevention, trapping, and other control methods. This guide will walk you through the most effective ways to manage and eliminate gopher populations, ensuring your landscape remains healthy and free from their destructive habits.
Understanding the Gopher Threat
Before you can effectively get rid of gophers, it is helpful to understand what makes them such a nuisance. Gophers are herbivorous rodents that feed on a variety of plants, including roots, bulbs, and tubers. Their powerful claws and teeth allow them to dig complex networks of tunnels just beneath the surface, which they use for foraging and nesting.
The most visible signs of gopher activity are the crescent-shaped mounds of fresh soil, often with a plugged-up hole. These mounds are indicative of a gopher’s presence and can quickly multiply, damaging irrigation systems, undermining foundations, and destroying entire plant beds. Learning how to get rid of gophers starts with identifying their activity early.
Effective Strategies for Gopher Control
There are several proven methods to get rid of gophers, ranging from trapping to repellents. The best approach often involves a combination of these techniques tailored to your specific situation and the extent of the gopher infestation.
1. Trapping Gophers: A Highly Effective Method
Trapping is widely considered one of the most effective and humane ways to get rid of gophers. Various types of gopher traps are available, each designed to capture or kill the gopher quickly.
Types of Gopher Traps:
- Box Traps: These are live traps that capture the gopher without harming it, allowing for relocation. They require careful placement and regular checking.
- Cinch Traps: Also known as tunnel traps, these are designed to be placed directly into the gopher’s active tunnels. They are very effective and kill the gopher instantly.
- Macabee Traps: A classic design, these metal traps are spring-loaded and placed in the main tunnel. They are durable and reusable.
How to Set Gopher Traps:
To successfully get rid of gophers using traps, proper placement is crucial. Locate an active gopher tunnel by probing the ground near fresh mounds. Once found, dig an opening just large enough to insert the trap. For cinch or Macabee traps, place two traps facing opposite directions in the main runway. Wear gloves to avoid leaving human scent, which can deter gophers. Check traps frequently, ideally twice a day.
2. Gopher Baits and Poisons
Chemical baits can be an effective way to get rid of gophers, especially for larger infestations or when trapping isn’t feasible. These products typically contain active ingredients like strychnine, zinc phosphide, or anticoagulants.
Using Baits Safely:
- Read Instructions Carefully: Always follow the manufacturer’s directions precisely to ensure effectiveness and safety.
- Targeted Application: Baits should be placed directly into active gopher tunnels using an applicator probe. This minimizes exposure to non-target animals and pets.
- Safety Precautions: Wear gloves and keep children and pets away from treated areas. Baits are toxic and require responsible handling.
While effective, consider the potential risks to other wildlife and domestic animals before choosing this method to get rid of gophers.
3. Gopher Repellents and Barriers
Repellents and physical barriers can help deter gophers or prevent them from entering certain areas.
Natural Repellents:
- Castor Oil: Some products containing castor oil are marketed as gopher repellents. They are typically applied to the soil and are believed to make the area undesirable for gophers.
- Noisy Devices: Ultrasonic devices or vibrating stakes are sometimes used, but their effectiveness is often debated and not scientifically proven to consistently get rid of gophers.
- Plants: Certain plants like castor bean, gopher purge, and daffodils are believed to deter gophers, though their effectiveness can vary.
Physical Barriers:
- Hardware Cloth: Installing galvanized hardware cloth (1/2-inch mesh) beneath raised garden beds or around the roots of vulnerable plants can create an effective physical barrier. Extend the barrier at least 18-24 inches deep and 6 inches above ground.
- L-Shaped Wire Mesh: For individual plants, burying an L-shaped wire mesh around the root ball can protect them from gopher damage.
These methods are primarily preventative or supplementary to active gopher removal efforts.
4. Fumigation and Carbon Monoxide
Fumigation involves introducing toxic gas into the gopher tunnels to suffocate or poison the pests. Products like aluminum phosphide tablets release phosphine gas when exposed to moisture. Alternatively, devices that pump carbon monoxide into the tunnels are also available.
- Professional Use: Many fumigants require a licensed applicator due to their hazardous nature.
- Safety Concerns: These methods pose risks to humans, pets, and non-target wildlife if not used correctly. Always prioritize safety and follow all instructions.
- Effectiveness: Can be effective for getting rid of gophers in extensive tunnel systems, but requires sealing all exits for maximum impact.
Preventative Measures to Keep Gophers Away
Once you have managed to get rid of gophers, implementing preventative measures is crucial to prevent their return.
- Regular Monitoring: Frequently inspect your property for new gopher mounds and address them immediately.
- Maintain Your Yard: Keep your lawn and garden tidy. Remove potential food sources like fallen fruits or accessible root vegetables.
- Underground Fencing: For highly susceptible areas, consider installing an underground fence made of hardware cloth around the perimeter of your garden.
- Plant Resistant Species: Choose plants that gophers tend to avoid, such as lavender, rosemary, or salvias, to make your garden less appealing.
Conclusion
Getting rid of gophers can be a challenging task, but with consistent effort and the right approach, it is entirely achievable. By understanding gopher behavior and employing a combination of trapping, baiting, and preventative measures, you can protect your landscape from these destructive pests. Start by identifying active tunnels and choose the method that best suits your situation and safety considerations. Reclaim your yard and enjoy a gopher-free environment once again!