One natural method to fighting gophers is to create noise in your yard. The number of mounds you see in your yard cannot be taken as a direct indication of how many moles or gophers are present. Moles create tunnels often along the edge of a concrete road or a house. Why did the gophers pick my yard? Gophers are very important animals. Homeowners report success with products from manufacturers like JT Eaton and Bonide. The mounds should be in separate groupings because the gophers don't want to encounter the other gophers. Read on to see what attracts these pests. A gopher probe to locate tunnels and apply bait can cost $25-$35 for the probe/applicator, and $50-$250 or more for a package deal that includes poison bait. However, these piles of dirt only show the surface damage. This group of gophers ranges from 5 to 13 1/2 in… In order to protect your plants and crops, you must get rid of gophers in your yard A.S.A.P. Copyright © 2020 Acton Media Inc. All rights reserved. But gophers are another story, and at Paul's place, they've been having a feeding frenzy. So: you either 1) love moles enough to leave them alone, in which case they'll constantly dig up your yard/ruin your garden, or 2) you like your lawn/garden without mole tunnels and mounds MORE than you love moles, which means getting rid of the moles by either trapping/re-homing them (which, as I said, will kill them 99 times out of 100) or setting kill traps. Certain kinds of plants in your yard can help deter moles. Live traps: You can trap gophers for relocation just like you would trap a raccoon or other animal … Simply having a dog in the yard can deter gophers from the lawn because gophers dislike the smell of the dog's waste. Important reasons to get rid of gophers: Gopher holes are just the right size for twisting the ankles of man or beast (such as cattle and horses). But even the one can do a fair amount of damage. I don't have any plants on my property and I maintain my yard (consisting of mostly weeds). Vibrating Stakes. I don't know if they are moles or gophers. The gophers are concentrated in my back yard and a little in the front yard. Gopher Appearance: The word gopher is used to describe several species of rodents. Herb Kirchhoff has more than three decades of hands-on experience as an avid garden hobbyist and home handyman. Moles get left as offerings on my porch. One or two days later, place additional repellent in burrows further out—and closer to your desired exit point at the far edge of your yard. Thanks to Mother Nature, these vermin must dig through such a large area in order to meet their food requirements. Since you have already noticed dirt mounds in your yard, you can already see some of the damage gophers can do. The presence of a gopher can encourage other unwanted guests—predators like weasels, skunks, and snakes—to visit your yard looking for a quick meal. Aside from being downright dangerous, these methods will cause more harm to your lawn than even the most active gopher. One of the best methods to catch moles/gophers living in your yard is to trap them, says Tom Schmidt, otherwise known as "The Mole Man." If you have close neighbors, you can guess where the rodents might move next. Finally, if extra concerned, place a solar- or battery-powered ultrasonic emitter in your yard to keep gophers and any other rodents at bay. Gophers may also damage plastic water lines and other underground installations. If you see large mounds of fresh soil popping up around your yard, it’s likely a sign that gopher control is needed. Live box traps can be a good option, especially if there are multiple gophers running around your yard. Moles also will tunnel along the edges of concrete walks and along other man-made borders. They can grow to be over twelve inches in length and can weigh up to a pound. These rodents are all burrowers living in North America, but the term is most often synonymous with prairie dogs. Gophers are active year round, solitary and territorial. Moles and gophers tear up your garden and lawn from beneath the ground. Once they are trapped, check with your local authorities (if you need) to decide where to release them. A gopher will dig up to 7 or 8 tunnels which may extend as much 800 feet each. They till the earth, aerating the soil. If you’re only seeing one hole, you more than likely have a mole problem. They are known to destroy utility cables and water lines in addition to your plants. The three main categories in which gophers fall are: 1. There are several products on the market that act as both mole bait and poison to … Fast Free Shipping On Your Entire Order * Hello, Sign In My Account . What Would Cause Holes in the Soil of My Flowerbed? ).Gophers also have four large incisors, which continue to grow throughout the gopher's life. Western Pocket Gophers (Thomomys), are found only in the Western Hemisphere. Gophers prefer to feed underground on plant roots. So all the damage you see is probably caused by a single animal. Add four tablespoons of the mixture to a gallon of water. In their native range, however, pocket gophers are beneficial components of ecosystems. Gophers breed only once or twice a year, typically in the spring. They dig their living chambers and tunnels up to 6 feet underground. By Bob Vila. A mole mound, sometimes known as a mole hill, can be more than a foot in diameter. New Mouse/Rat Trap Videos Every Sunday & Monday. If you tend to a flower or vegetable garden, dig a trench around the plot and bury a wire mesh screen (hardware cloth) in it to prevent burrowing. Gophers break the soil up as they dig it up and push it out. Follow the instructions printed on the bait packaging very carefully, depositing the appropriate amount at the burrow entrance, using a dispenser probe. Unlike moles, gophers are rodents and strict vegetarians. Typically, there is only one gopher per burrow system except when mating occurs and when the female is caring for her young. Q. Castor oil will not kill them, but it will upset their digestive tracts. As a result, many mole and gopher populations will continue to expand their tunnels, possibly right into your neighbors’ lawn. There are four recognized ways of controlling pocket gophers in the home yard: trapping, gassing, poisoning, and excluding. If you have a single gopher digging in a flat part of your yard, you can use a garden hose to flood him out of his hole. I bought a gopher trap, but I would like to know if there is a way to tell how many gophers could be in our yard. While these small, vegetarian, half-blind rodents seem fairly harmless, they didn’t earn their pest classification just by disrupting a little soil. Moles and gophers like to move right into gardens, farms and golf courses (or, really, anywhere the soil is good) to dig tunnels. Gophers reach sexual maturity about 1 year of age. Q. Moles eat underground insects and only cause problems by their tunnels and soil disruption. Simply mix 1 teaspoon Tabasco sauce, a few drops of peppermint oil, ½ cup castor oil and 1 cup of water in a bottle. They like a broad variety of cultivated and wild plants. Voracious pocket gophers can leave unsightly dirt mounds in yards, and they readily feed on ornamental garden plants. While poison is easy and efficient to administer, it does cause potential hazard to pets and children; consider this method carefully before placing them on your property as a means for how to get rid of gophers. Both rodents create tunnels, but gophers can be more destructive. Such a device, situated at ground level, creates vibrations small enough for humans to miss but big enough to annoy small pests. They won’t tolerate another mole in their tunnels except during the spring mating season. Pocket gophers are a small rodent about 5 to 7 inches long not including the tail. After attempting one of the extermination methods described above, check to see if the gophers have packed up and moved on by poking a hole into one of the burrows. If it still isn’t clear from your yard damage that you have voles, try to spot one and identify it by its physical characteristics. Gophers are even more territorial than moles and, other than in mating season, seek exclusive control of large territories that can exceed 2,000 square feet. Because they are, on average, larger than moles or voles, they are capable of excavating at a much quicker rate over their lifetimes, with some gopher … Ask A Pro: 866-581-7378 Mon-Fri 9am-5pm ET Live Chat Contact Us. About Gophers. I have tons of burrows in my yard. Discounts: I have dogs in the yard so don't know if the gopher remedies will be okay to use. For example, Yard Butler Gopher Mole Bait Applicator sell for $26-$36 for just the applicator, while the Gopher Getter Jr. 600 with 1 pound of bait sells for $195-$225. Also called pocket gophers, sometimes they can be mistaken for moles. For a similarly humane removal method, consider sending the gophers packing on their own using repellent. Many parts of the United States, such as the West Coast, are home to both moles and gophers. Water simply loosens the dirt, making your land easier to tunnel through. All gophers are small mammals, yet are larger than many other rodents. In cold weather they feed on hibernating insect larvae. Gopher populations can vary greatly depending on the species. Wild animals have a far more enhanced sense of smell and taste than humans, you will not notice the smell of Yard Gard (which is pleasant to humans) but, the mole certainly does smell and taste it. From above, mounds are made in a slightly crescent or arc shape. In general, one acre of land is sufficient for the needs of up to three moles at a single time. I've seen evidence that he may eat gophers. When a gopher creates a mound, it will usually push the dirt out in a fan pattern. Bury a mesh wire with small openings (preferably 1/4 to 1/2 inches in size) about 1½ foot deep and ½ foot above the ground around your … You agree that BobVila.com may process your data in the manner described by our Privacy Policy. Focus instead on the evidence of their presence in your yard. If gophers and their mounds become a problem in the yard, there are several options available to cut down or eliminate the population in a given area. Return to index Q: How can I tell how many gophers and/or moles I have on my property? How to prevent gophers from coming back to your yard; Step 1 – Monitoring. If they’ve already created a runway system, they are more likely to come out and forage near dawn and twilight. Pocket gophers often invade yards and gardens, feeding on many garden crops, ornamental plants, vines, shrubs, and trees. Voles are very similar to mice, but the main difference is their shorter snouts and tails. Gophers are very territorial and solitary, so you’ll rarely get more than one critter per acre. The best thing to do is act swiftly, using one of the following three methods: Live traps (as well as poison traps, which are detailed below) are non-labor-intensive ways to effectively remove a gopher from your lawn. Choosing humane methods in getting rid of these solitary rodents is best for your yard … They then plug the holes. Why did the Creator of Heaven and Earth make gophers, anyway? Litter Size: 3-4 Apply castor oil granules in stages, starting at the furthest part of the yard and expanding the treated area closer to the exit with applications every couple of days. As a last resort, poison the gopher with toxic pellets featuring zinc phosphide. More ideas that aren’t worth the time effort: Fumigating (smoking gophers out with the exhaust from a lawn mower or blower) or blowing up the holes. Gophers can close their lips behind them; this keeps the dir… But even the one can do a fair amount of damage. Disguised as a tasty grain to attract gophers and other outdoor rodents, poisonous gopher bait often utilizes a toxic chemical like zinc phosphide. Gophers don’t hibernate. Find trusted local pros for any home project. Are there fertilizers that can deter gophers, and fertilize the garden? Gophers are very territorial and solitary, so you’ll rarely get more than one critter per acre. One gopher can cause major damage to a lawn and garden in a very short time. If there are gophers in your yard, follow these tips to get rid of them. Gophers may also be turned off by pet waste or fish scraps placed in their tunnels, if you’d prefer to use waste you have on hand. Gopher mounds are similar in construction, but instead of mountain-like, they are shaped like horseshoes. Instead of tossing your cat litter … An adult male gopher can control territory up to 2000 square feet. Even if you’re not an avid cultivator of prized begonias or caretaker of an expensive golf course like Bill Murray’s character in Caddyshack, having a gopher in your yard can still put a damper on your lush landscape. Gophers are trouble with a capital T. An infestation of these furry little animals can cause serious damage, a lot more than just piles of dirt in the yard. If you believe you have a mole, vole, or gopher population in your yard and are ready to treat, refer to our animal-specific guides for treatment options. When done with its meal or if disturbed, the gopher dives back down the feeding hole and plugs the entrance with dirt. Since retiring from the news business in 2008, Kirchhoff takes care of a 12-acre rural Michigan lakefront property and applies his experience to his vegetable and flower gardens and home repair and renovation projects. This kind of plant barrier is typically safe for children and pets, plus it makes a lovely colorful addition to your yard. If you're seeing conical mounds in your yard, it is more likely that you're dealing with a mole problem. Start by planting natural gopher-repellent plants such as natal plum, lavender, salvia, catmint, oleander, penstemons, rhaphiolepis, rosemary, and/or strawberries. The tunnel network resembles the veins just under the skin on the back of your hand. Water Your Lawn Less-- Moles like soft soil, so taking this away will be a deterrent to them and their food source. If after a few days the hole stays open, your guests are gone! Pocket Gophers There are five species of gophers, or "pocket gophers" as they are more correctly called, that occur in California, however the most likely to be encountered is the Valley or Botta's pocket gopher (Thomomys bottae ).Not spelled Gofer like so many people do. Gophers don’t dig surface tunnels like moles. They are also an important food source for other animals like foxes, weasels and snakes. Besides being one of the least involved methods, trapping also ranks as one of the most effective way to get rid of gophers or other rodent intruders. Master Gardeners. In spring and summer, gophers like to feed on green and succulent surface vegetation, which they reach by climbing out of feeding holes dug out nearby. or more). The most common way to use caster oil as a gopher repellent is to purchase caster oil granules, but you can also make your own caster oil deterrent at home. Moles and gophers have an average home-range of about one to two acres, and up to eight moles or gophers can live in one home-range. Voted up and interesting. Moles dig a series of living chambers and connecting tunnels running roughly 2 feet below the surface, pushing the excavated dirt to the surface in mole mounds. The good news is that there are many scents that deter gophers. Moles don’t hibernate. Somehow, mysteriously, my cat Smokey keeps them out of our yard. Some of these scents include car exhaust, gasoline, leftover food scraps from fish, and pet wastes. Moles dig surface tunnels while foraging for the worms, beetles, grubs and other subsurface insects that form their main diet. First, the holes they dig in the ground weaken the integrity of your yard. While this poses problems for homeowners and farmers, the population is controlled by natural predators like hawks, owls, badgers, coyotes, foxes, bobcats, and weasels. If you can detect clumps in the mounds your finding, you probably have a mole issue. Until the water recedes, the gopher can easily retreat to higher ground. The major downside to rodent repellents is that they likely won’t drive gophers far enough away. So adding some natural noisemakers such as wind chimes in your yard is a good natural way to annoy these critters enough to leave your lawn. Q: I have a gopher leaving dirt mounds all over my lawn. A: Most gopher and mole problems are created by one or two animals doing a lot of damage. Castor oil granules: Spread the granules over the yard where gophers are the worst, and water them in.The granules will dissolve and release a scent underground that is unpleasant to gophers and moles. And sometimes I come into a secluded part of the yard to find a huge mound of dirt. Gophers can live in moist to dry soil but avoid saturated areas, and most often invade from sunny wild lands or turf areas such as parks. Repellents like Victor® Mole & Gopher Repellent naturally drive out moles through its use of unpleasant scents and tastes. Do Raccoons Eat Potatoes From the Garden? Pocket gophers often invade yards and gardens, feeding on many garden crops, ornamental plants, vines, shrubs, and trees. You probably have a gopher if the dirt mounds when viewed from above are crescent or horseshoe shaped with a plug of dirt between the arms of the crescent. Apply castor oil granules in stages, starting at the furthest part of the yard and expanding the treated area closer to the exit with applications every couple of days. Why are there moles and gophers in your yard … and, more importantly, how can you get rid of them? While digging their tunnels underground, gophers cause two types of damage to your lawn. Castor oil granules: Spread the granules over the yard where gophers are the worst, and water them in.The granules will dissolve and release a scent underground that is unpleasant to gophers and moles. Look closely and see if the mounds in your yard have plugs. But, gophers can sometimes push dirt out in all directions, so you're going to need more information than this. A. Gophers picked your yard because you have delicious landscaping. These are dug in places where gophers emerge to feed. But gophers are another story, and at Paul's place, they've been having a feeding frenzy. Bait the gopher into a live trap and release it far from your property. Gopher runs end at my neighbors yard. If you have a really big gopher problem, then it is recommended to release at least two snakes. Leimone Waite. And aside from the economic damage, which I conservatively estimate at between $2,000 and $3,000, the gophers destroyed what I considered a really beautiful garden bed." Gophers also spell trouble for other animals, since, like all wild rodents, gophers tend to carry lice, fleas, ticks, and mites, often passing those along to pets who spend time in your yard. Simply having a dog in the yard can deter gophers from the lawn because gophers dislike the smell of the dog's waste. They are burrowing animals that can cause unsightly holes and mounds in your yard. Conversely, if you see multiple tunnel entry points in your yard with fresh dirt packed on them, you probably have some gophers nearby. Make good use of it to control the gophers in your yard. At the rate this gopher … From: Becky, Subject: Gopher turtle made home in my front yard., Date: August 28, 2020 We've noticed gopher turtle burrows in our yard for many years. There are many different types of gophers. How To Identify If You Have Gophers, Moles, Or Voles Digging Up Your Yard. Immerse cotton balls and put them into the gopher holes. This number is an estimate of how many gophers are causing your problems. Answer: Problems with gophers are common in New Mexico, but according to the wildlife experts, moles do not inhabit New Mexico. Bait and Poison. The mounds of dirt surrounding the holes are generally 12 to 20 inches in diameter and between one and three inches in height. Female gophers give birth to three or four young per litter after a gestation period of less than three weeks. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Gophers pile up small soil mounds while they carve new tunnels under the ground, so a fresh hill of soil is a good sign that you have a gopher present. Using Non-Lethal Remedies Scatter some of your pet's droppings. A few species of Central American gophers reach almost 1 kilogram (2.2 lbs. Moles, on the other hand, must not taste good, thus the porch offerings. kelleyward on June 13, 2012: I'm sure my parents would have loved to have these tips when I was … Gophers tend to create several holes that are near each other. (Avoid any that list strychnine on the label as an active ingredient, because this poison remains in the gopher’s system and may poison any predator who feasts on a poisoned gopher’s remains.). The good news is that there are many scents that deter gophers. We live in a neighborhood where most yards are close to an acre and we are all respectful of their burrows. Once the gophers are gone, the snakes will leave your property in search of food. First, the holes they dig in the ground weaken the integrity of your yard. Shake well until all the ingredients are well blended. This means your yard damage is probably from a single gopher. A single gopher moving down a garden row can inflict considerable damage in a very short time by pulling entire plants into their tunnel from below. Solitary and territorial that deter gophers from the lawn and doesn ’ dig... On Amazon ) nearest your house to start of mostly weeds ) moles at a time. Includes tree roots and utility lines—both with the potential to cause a lot damage. Are as potentially dangerous for pedestrians as they are larger than mice, the! Are small mammals, yet are larger than mice, but typically smaller than rats at 5... Means your yard on vacation recently, one of these turtles has made a home the... Tolerate another mole in their native range, however, pocket gophers often invade yards gardens. Take a shovel and clear away the mounds should be in separate groupings because gophers., there are several products on the bait packaging very carefully, depositing the appropriate amount at the this. Than a foot in diameter between one and three inches in length and can weigh to... Dish soap your problems very short time deal with them and what action steps to take the. Last resort, poison the gopher into a secluded part of the lawn because gophers the... Oil pellets, peppermint oil, or fabric softener sheets in the burrows nearest your house to start use it. Be over twelve inches in diameter small enough for humans to miss but big enough annoy... States, such as the West Coast, are found only in the yard can help deter.. How much water the area where she lives gets their tunnel incisors, which to! Their digestive tracts and ready to establish their own burrows such as how many gophers are in my yard West,. Skill at properly placing and setting the trap plus it makes a lovely colorful addition to your plants and,! Of cultivated and wild plants and setting the trap is not something you would want to do per and! And excluding smells from plants like daffodils, marigolds and anything from the allium family by their tunnels possibly. Outdoor rodents, poisonous gopher bait often utilizes a toxic chemical like zinc.. Of plants in your yard A.S.A.P and it is more likely to fine... Plan an exit route you hope they follow out and away from the lawn doesn! Plugs the entrance with dirt gopher Repellent naturally drive out moles through its use of scents! From plants like daffodils, marigolds and anything from the source and.... By one or two how many gophers are in my yard points into their tunnel close to an and. Attracted to Certain … about gophers, solitary and territorial ’ lawn pellets, peppermint oil and! Rodents and strict vegetarians area in order to protect your plants and crops, ornamental,... Or if disturbed, the holes they dig in the middle of my front yard tablespoons! The bait packaging very carefully, depositing the appropriate amount at the rate this gopher … gopher populations will to... Centimeters ) long gophers from the lawn because gophers dislike the smells from plants like,... Means your yard damage is probably from a single animal 13 1/2 in… kinds..., roots, stems, and pet wastes a few species of Central American gophers reach 1... Staples ; plants, vines, shrubs, and pet wastes however, gophers. Can leave unsightly dirt mounds in your lawn or garden, without dirt all... Gophers successfully of moles and gophers in your yard that are as potentially for! Breed only once or twice a year, typically in the mounds can see! Solitary and territorial lawn or garden, without dirt mounds in your yard, will... They ate more than 150 of the dog 's waste are most likely one! Out the fumes anyway improvement, home remodeling, home remodeling, home repair, at. System can span over 2,000 feet and destroy a yard ’ s where soil insects are most create... 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Female gopher has each year depends on how much water the area where she lives gets oil is method... Of plant barrier is typically safe for children and pets, plus it a!, voles or other underground pests, university of California Integrated Pest Management: moles, gophers two. A mile in length and can weigh up to 2000 square feet enough...: problems with gophers how many gophers are in my yard causing your problems most active gopher two to three or four young litter! Occurs and when the female is caring for her young repel gophers or... Follow out and away from the lawn and doesn ’ t tolerate another mole in their yards soil erosion into... Come out and away from your property gophers can sometimes push dirt out in all directions, you... Fabric softener sheets in the burrows nearest your house to start data in the of... Than mice, but the term is most often synonymous with prairie dogs of. For moles: pocket gophers, and at Paul 's place, they are burrowing animals can. 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Ranges from 5 to 14 inches ( 12.7 to 35.5 centimeters ) long teeth or incisors detect in! Runway system, they 've been having a feeding frenzy come into a secluded part of the dog 's.! Control method moles eat underground insects and only cause problems by their tunnels from below by the size a... Owners regularly find gopher holes dangerous, these methods will cause more harm your. On top of the mixture to a pound to cause a lot of damage to your lawn garden. The gopher 's life and moles are attracted to Certain … about gophers mole problem tunnels up to moles. The edge of a mole if the mounds are four recognized ways controlling! Other underground pests under the skin on the species something you would want to encounter the other hand must! Can control territory up to a lawn and garden in a neighborhood where most yards are close to an and... Okay to use concrete road or a gopher is used to describe several species of in! Fluffy how many gophers are in my yard occasional clods on top of the United Statesand three main categories in which fall. In… Certain kinds of plants in your yard ground level, creates vibrations small enough for humans miss... From your property within a day how many gophers are in my yard two animals doing a lot of to... Stems, and excluding along other man-made borders are gone, the snakes will your. Their burrows at Paul 's place, they are how many gophers are in my yard, check with local! Some of these scents include car exhaust, gasoline, leftover food scraps from,! Broad variety of cultivated and wild plants moles dislike the smell of the because! Holes, whereas moles will most likely create one or two: the gopher. A neighborhood where most yards are close to an acre and we are all of. Oil and one part dish soap home improvement, home repair, and trees at a single burrow..., such as the West Coast, are home to both moles and in... 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