Gophers are bothersome rodents across North America and serious pests in the western two-thirds of the continent. They dig and live in a subterranean maze: a deep main tunnel contains the nest and food-storage areas, while extensive surface tunnels give them access to underground plant parts. To keep these destructive little diggers at bay, you can install barriers, catch them in traps or try to repel them. See below for specific help on performing these gopher-deterring tasks.
How to recognize them
Gopher tunnels often end in a distinctive fan-shaped mound of dirt. In contrast, moles push out soil from their holes in a circular pattern.
Effective barriers
Erect a barrier around your yard or garden beds with 1⁄2-inch (13-mm) mesh wire fencing. Be sure it’s at least 2 feet (60 cm) high and is buried at least 2 feet deep; go 3 feet (1 meter) deep in light or sandy soil. Alternatively, line planting holes with chicken wire or the bulb cages sold at garden centers.
Protect tree bark
Protect tree bark with 1⁄2-inch (13-mm) galvanized hardware cloth. Sink the bottom edge underground and wrap the cloth completely around the tree.
The right trap
While rat traps will capture gophers, there are humane traps specifically designed for certain regions and certain species. Check with your local wildlife management agency for their recommendations. Also ask about any laws regulating the trapping of wildlife.
Setting up the trap
Set up the trap in a shallow trench near the tunnel entrance and cover the trigger mechanism with a little soil. Sprinkle nuts, sunflower seeds or grain over it, adding more bait inside the trap. Always wear rubber gloves when handling traps and bait so you don’t leave your scent on them.
Encourage natural predators
If you want a real natural solution to your gopher problem and you live in a relatively rural area, make your yard and garden as safe and hospitable as possible for owls, hawks, gopher snakes and king snakes, which are natural predators of gophers. Dogs, cats and skunks will also pursue gophers, but dogs and skunks are diggers too and may cause more damage to your garden than gophers do.
Vibrating soil
Many garden centers and specialty catalogs sell devices designed to repel gophers and moles. Wind-powered models that rattle when pushed by a breeze can double as lawn ornaments.
A homemade repellent
Soak rags in ammonia, drop them down a gopher hole and seal all tunnel openings with dirt. The gophers will leave in a hurry. This tactic is most effective in spring, before gophers have made themselves thoroughly at home.
Teresa Gueck/iStockphoto
Barriers and traps are commonly used to deal with gophers.
