How to Quickly Get Rid of Gophers
Conventional Methods
- Traps:
- Use commercial-grade stainless steel kill traps for a humane and instant solution.
- Locate gopher burrows by probing the ground near fresh mounds.
- Set traps strategically in active tunnels, 6-8″ beyond the burrow’s opening.
- Check traps regularly; if unsuccessful in 48 hours, relocate to a different active area.
Pros: Effective, rapid solution Cons: May not appeal to everyone, requires disposal, potential euthanasia
- Bait:
- Choose poisonous gopher bait made from chemicals like zinc phosphide or anticoagulant rodenticides.
- Follow packaging instructions, wear protective gear, and deposit baits directly into burrows.
- Be cautious of toxicity to kids, pets, and environmental impact.
Pros: Effective, fast-acting for large populations Cons: Highly toxic, potential danger, inhumane, costly
Poison-Free Methods
- Exclusion Fencing:
- Use fine metal mesh to prevent gophers from accessing vulnerable areas.
- Install fencing around gardens or lay wire mesh beneath the lawn’s sod.
- Ensure mesh has small openings and extends 24″ underground.
Pros: Effective, affordable, humane, long-term solution Cons: Requires significant modification
- Repellents:
- Apply naturally derived or chemical repellents around burrows to make the area unappealing.
- Gradually extend repellents closer to desired exit points.
Pros: Affordable, humane, non-invasive Cons: Requires frequent re-application
- Barn Owl Nesting Boxes:
- Construct barn owl nesting boxes to control gopher populations over time.
Pros: Natural, organic, beneficial for the ecosystem Cons: Long-term solution, won’t eradicate gophers
- Remove Shelter and Food Sources:
- Keep garden borders weed-free and treat the lawn for potential gopher food sources.
- Promptly clean up fallen fruits and vegetables.
Pros: Natural, organic, non-toxic Cons: Does not kill gophers, takes time to see results
Avoid These Methods:
- Flooding, Live Trapping, Fumigating, Scattering pet waste, Ultrasonic devices, Gopher-repellent plants, Castor oil.
How Exterminators Deal with Gophers:
- Trapping: Locate, expose, and set professional-grade traps, then remove and reset as needed.
- Carbon Monoxide Gopher Removal: Inject carbon monoxide into tunnels for an alternative method.
- Annual Gopher Removal Program: Regular visits to control gopher populations for the long term.
FAQs:
- What are Gophers?
- Small, burrowing rodents with fur-lined cheek pouches, known for tunneling and creating extensive networks.
- Why Do I Have Gophers in My Yard?
- Attracted to food sources, loose soil, and shelter; reproduce rapidly.
- What Does Gopher Damage Look Like?
- Mounds, patches of dried dirt, and damage to crops, gardens, and bushes.
- Do I Have a Gopher or Mole Problem?
- Differentiate based on mounds and ridges; moles create zigzagging ridges, while gophers create fan-shaped mounds.
- What Do Gophers Hate the Most?
- DIY methods complement but may not fully eliminate gopher problems; integrated pest control is essential.
- Fastest Way to Get Rid of Gophers?
- Professional pest control companies offer a comprehensive approach for faster and more effective results.
- How Do I Get Rid of Gophers Under My House?
- Lethal traps or gopher baits are effective; avoid fumigation and consider professional assistance.
Gopher Control in Ventura County and Los Angeles County:
- Contact Ekoterra Pest Management: Specialists in effective and humane gopher control for residential and commercial properties in Southern California.