How To Get Rid Of Gophers

Background.

The term gopher as it is commonly used does not relate to any one species, but is a generic term used to describe any of several small burrowing rodents endemic to North America, including the pocket gopher (family Geomyidae), also called true gophers.

Species.

Gophers are heavily built, and most are 12 to 30 cm (4.7 to 12 in) long, weighing a few hundred grams. A few species reach weights approaching 1 kg (2.2 lb). Within any species, the males are larger than the females and can be nearly double their weight. Most gophers have brown fur that often closely matches the color of the soil in which they live. Their most characteristic features are their large cheek pouches, from which the word "pocket" in their name derives. They have small eyes and a short, hairy tail, which they use to feel around tunnels when they walk backwards.

How Do Gophers Get In.

Gophers are burrowers, rarely above ground they operate through a series of tunnels.

How To Keep Gophers Out.

• Lay hardware cloth or 3⁄4-inch mesh poultry wire under raised beds before planting.

• Wire baskets to protect individual shrubs or trees can be installed at planting, leaving enough room for roots to grow.

• Be sure to place traps in active burrows as indicated by fresh mounds.

• Two common types of traps are pincer traps and box traps.

• Set traps in tunnels in pairs facing each other.

• Cover the hole so light does not get in.

• Keep trapping until no new mounds are formed.

• Gopher traps do not require food baits.

Professional Extermination Method.

Our trained technicians understand the importance and care you give your lawn and will do the same when probing your lawn to release bait deep within the gophers burrows in order to effectively rid your property of gophers and moles.

For more information contact Berrett's Orange County Pest Control Office at 888.250.5503

For more methods on how to get rid of Gophers & Moles check out UC Davis: Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program

*Cited from UC Davis Integrated Pest Management Program & Wikipedia