Something in my garden is eating my onions and other plants with bulbs. They infest your front lawn while leaving your neighbor's property untouched. Pick another answer! We also use wire baskets for critical plants. Tunnels in sandy soil tend to collapse, so they don’t go as deep. Gophers, also known as pocket gophers, can cause nuisance in your backyard and garden by building a wide network of tunnels underground while eating your fruits, vegetables, plants, and roots. Use two layers for extra durability. Comm forms of poisons used to kill gophers are (check the label of ingredients on any commercial gopher bait you might use) : Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 1,251,886 times. Repeat the process until you've added repellants to the outermost burrows. How to Get Rid of Gophers Naturally (without Poison or Gas). One of the easiest and most effective ways to get rid of a gopher that’s burrowing under your lawn is to set a live trap. Dig a hole into the ground. How To Get Rid of Gophers How To Control Gophers . Step 1 - Outdoor Treatment Begin treatment outdoors. What is the benefit of using anticoagulant poisons? The hole is under the dirt, so start by removing the mound with a shovel and poking around until you find the hole or tunnel. If you happen to apply this natural gopher deterrent when rain is in the forecast, you can just leave them alone and allow the rain do wet the ground for you. Use a weeder or wooden spoon handle. Gassing is generally considered a safe method to use if you have other animals, since you must keep your animals out of the area while the gassing is taking place, and the gas dissipates quickly. If there are gophers in your yard, follow these tips to get rid of them. How can you make your garden fence better at deterring gophers? Trim back bushes and shrubbery, and pick up any ripe fruit or vegetables as they fall to the ground. Catch-them-alive traps. How to get rid of gophers naturally Gopher Mesh: you can install the Gopher mesh under the green laws or the areas that have ornamental landscaping. Some people use a long screwdriver. Choose another answer! They are pretty and create a soft, chiming noise that gophers seem to dislike. Ultrasonic gopher repellents are easy to find at garden centers, home improvement stores and online. If you have a cat who can catch and kill gophers, you are in luck. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Guess again! You can find it by poking the ground around a mound, on the same side as you see freshly-dug-up earth. amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; Our yard seems to be full of gophers (or moles, we don't know the difference). If you can't locate a tunnel after about 30 seconds of probing, try a different nearby mound. If you have ground moles and flood you are flooding the tunnel, you'll only make your yard more inviting. But if you want to be sure you're adopting a dog who'll hunt gophers, try to get two Jack Russell Terriers (both should be altered to prevent puppies). Could it be gophers? amzn_assoc_linkid = "6c6d77bf6d53d20f6e035eb02aec1f04"; Read on for another quiz question. There are devices, instruments called "thumpers" that provide a percussive sound to the ground near gopher holes. It works as a natural repellent for gophers. Again, go for the gopher mesh if it is an option – or make your own baskets with leftover mesh from your lawn – but know that most garden centers sell gopher baskets made from chicken wire. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. How to effectively trap gophers and a list of controls that just plain don't work. To protect your vegetable garden from gophers, try planting marigolds as a protective border. Poison and traps should also not be used if you have children or if children have access to your yard. Ground moles love the damp. They'll wait on opposite sides of a hole, and when the gopher emerges one or the other will get it. Instead, try reducing the amount of plants in your vegetable garden or making them harder to access. Rodents don't like caster oil or peppermint. The usage of castor oil for getting rid of these pests is scientifically verified in the Easter United States. amzn_assoc_default_category = "All"; Wanted to know what to do about it if I decide to, "It has given me a plan for action against a gopher. amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; However, a gopher can dig around this depth if you use deterring measures to keep the gopher away from your garden. Once you have discovered Pocket Gopher activity, it is time to begin treatment. Anticoagulants don't leave behind a toxic gopher body, which makes it a safer poison to use if you have pets in the home. Don't use a poison bait if your pet might eat either the poison or the poisoned gopher. Yup! The main gopher tunnel is typically between 6 and 12 inches underground. I don't know, but it may just be going into the dirt. For many homeowners, it is easier to hire professionals, since trapping gophers yourself requires you to safely handle occupied traps and transport them somewhere to release them. Once you have encouraged your gophers to leave your yard, be sure to fill the holes to help deter future gophers from moving in. Gave me lots of good ideas. This product is extremely poisonous and should be kept away from adults, chil… Keep in mind that castor oil products don't actually harm moles or gophers, they simply send them scurrying elsewhere. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; I put the water hose in the gopher hole and let it run for about 40 minutes. If you need to use lethal remedies to get rid of the gophers, keep reading. Additionally, properly installed artificial grass includes layers of materials that create an environment that is not conducive to digging. Therefore, they can still kill your plants by eating the roots as they tunnel beneath the mesh, but this usually does a good job of preventing the creation of holes. References Pocket gophers really don’t like them. 6. Gophers do not like the smell of dryer sheets, so sticking these fragrant sheets in every hole you can find can help repel gophers and keep them away from your lawn or gardens. Extending your fence underground is a good idea, but 6 inches isn't always enough. Step 2 Sprinkle used cat litter around the gopher holes and inside of them. Instead of tossing your cat litter or your dog's poop into the trash, put it into the gopher tunnels instead. How to Get Rid of Pocket Gophers? Repel the gopher by placing castor oil pellets, peppermint oil, and fabric softener sheets in the burrows nearest your home. Get a gopher snake with caution. Will this work? But with the information you provided, "I looked at a house for rent today, and there's gopher holes. Leimone Waite. Request an estimate and design consultation today by filling out our short form Moles eat insects and grubs, while gophers eat plant roots. You will use one product Gopher Bait 50 Strychnine. What can we do without poisoning our dogs? You can also connect a hose to your car exhaust and smoke them out with that. We have two dogs that live in the house, but go out in the backyard through the day. If you have gopher problems and would like to try to get rid of gophers humanely before turning to lethal methods, here are 13 of the most common, non-lethal ways to keep gophers out of your garden. Some people find that the oleander plant is also an effective gopher repellent. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. Easily accessible castor oil is a famous home remedy to get rid of moles and gophers. If you are against killing gophers, there are some nonlethal methods of deterring or repelling them that can be implemented. If you have other animals that use your yard, such as dogs or cats, using poison or traps is not a good idea and could injure, sicken or kill them. Tuck the bag into the gopher tunnel. http://www.homeremedyhacks.com/19-home-remedies-get-rid-gophers/, http://www.getridofthings.com/pests/animals/get-rid-of-gophers/, http://www.wildlifeanimalcontrol.com/gophers.html, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. It will help repel the gophers while fertilizing your plants. The combination of garlic and stakes may make this sound more like a vampire repellent, but this simple, natural gopher control method can be quite effective. amzn_assoc_default_search_phrase = "peppermint essential oil"; Gophers present a more serious problem than Moles, including destruction of underground utility cables, water lines, sprinkler systems and irrigation pipes. "I haven't tried anything yet. Will try other recommendations. That's right! Most likely you have grubs in your soil, which is a food source for gophers. This is the most economical gopher bait in the market, it is fast acting and incredibly effective. Gophers are a problem for many homeowners and can quickly destroy a natural grass lawn, vegetable garden, flowerbed or fruit trees. While artificial grass does not guarantee an end to your gopher problem, it does make your lawn area a less desirable spot for tunneling. Pocket gophers, Thomomys species, often simply called gophers, are burrowing rodents that get their name from the fur-lined, external cheek pouches, or pockets, they use for carrying food and nesting materials. ", rent the place. Nope! You can also place caster beans in the tunnels so that the smell of the beans will repel the gophers, or you can plant caster bean plants around your yard to deter them. Master Gardeners. Infested areas are prone to re-infestation, because new gophers like to use old tunnel networks. Try smoking the gophers out with flares. This article received 16 testimonials and 85% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. Barn owls: A gopher’s #1 enemy are barn owls, and a small family of them can eat up to 1000 gophers a year. Peppermint oil: To repel gophers naturally, try putting a few drops of peppermint oil on cotton balls, and then placing the cotton balls inside tunnel entrances. Gopher mesh creates a barrier that prevents gophers from digging holes in your natural grass lawn or flowerbeds, but it does not keep them from eating roots that grow down through the mesh into the soil below. You usually won't find the main tunnel at the 2 foot mark underground. Some of these methods take time. The moles and gophers get diarrhoea when they eat this. Coffee grounds. After the gophers have been eliminated, monitor your yard regularly for reinfestation Clean away weeds and garden debris from your yard area so fresh mounds can be readily seen. Pocket gophers are rodents from 5 … By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. However, you should still use caution when using anticoagulants and keep the poison away from pets and children. Make sure that it is deep enough to fit the stake. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. Nope! Gophers do not like the smell of dryer sheets, so sticking these fragrant sheets in every hole you can find can help repel gophers and keep them away from your lawn or gardens. However, castor beans are poisonous, so if you have dogs or children, do not plant caster bean plants or place caster beans anywhere in your yard. Some methods for getting rid of gophers may be illegal in certain countries and states. Deposit the bait in its burrows, making sure to keep it away from kids and pets. Use caution when planting Oleander near areas where children or pets go. Use wire mesh for your fence for best results. You can find the tunnel by pressing on the turned-up-dirt side of a mound. ", "I haven't started doing the research, but non-lethal is what I'll do. 6. Use latex gloves to handle anything you put into the gopher hole. Gophers are harder than hell to get rid of. These gopher deterrents basically look like mesh baskets or bowls and are usually made from chicken wire or gopher mesh. Also, moles are loners while gophers are very sociable. Tag Archives: how to get rid of pocket gophers naturally How To Set Gopher Traps. One way to catch a gopher alive is to use the old-school yard snare. amzn_assoc_linkid = "6c6d77bf6d53d20f6e035eb02aec1f04"; If you purchase the caster oil granules (which is much easier and more convenient than the homemade version), simply spread the granules in areas where you want to get rid of gophers in your yard. If you need to get rid of gophers in your yard without killing them, you may be able to repel them with something you probably already have in your laundry room. That's right! How to Get Rid of Gophers. Choose another answer! Every day at wikiHow, we work hard to give you access to instructions and information that will help you live a better life, whether it's keeping you safer, healthier, or improving your well-being. If you use water in the gopher holes more than once and the gophers do not die, the gophers will move to another part of your garden. Both moles and gophers dislike castor oil. Don't attempt to capture a live gopher and bring it into your home. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. For this method to be effective, you will need to dig a trench at least about one foot deep around the area you want to protect. There are a few repellents you can create right at home, to get rid of gophers and keep your lawn looking great. % of people told us that this article helped them. He is a Organic Gardening Consultant and Founder of Grow-It-Organically, a website that teaches clients and students the ins and outs of organic vegetable gardening. Sprinkle these on plants in the gopher holes they should stay away. You can also mix the coffee grounds into your soil. amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; If you have a friend with JRT's and your yard is fenced and dog-escape-proof, you can ask to borrow them, too. I don't have plants in my yard; however, there are gopher mounds everywhere. amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; Buy some non-venomous snakes and set them loose in your yard. Natural Gopher Control; There are a lot of different types of gophers, but the pocket gopher is probably the one you’re trying to get rid of. amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; The plastic bag will protect the radio from getting wet. One way that it does this is by removing the food source. As they tunnel beneath the ground in search of food, they create tripping hazards with their holes and mounds, kill plants and trees as they eat the roots, and can even cause walkways or patios to collapse as their tunnel systems weaken the ground beneath them. While this is correct, there are other reasons to use anticoagulant poisons. Gophers do not like the smell of peppermint, so this non-lethal gopher … Most of these devices are powered by either batteries or the sun, so you can place them almost anywhere in your yard. The main tunnel is usually 6 to 12 inches (15.24 to 30.48 centimeters) underground. While a gopher snakes are not considered to be venomous, they may still hurt a cat or smaller dog. Place objects that move or make noise around the perimeter of your garden, throughout the garden, and near gopher holes. Cover the trench with 1 inch (2.54 centimeters) of soil. amzn_assoc_default_search_phrase = "castor essential oil"; Getting rid of gophers isn’t easy. Using a garden hose to flood their tunnel systems is often considered a way to encourage them to leave your property, but it can drown them, so we can could include the garden hose method on the lethal list as well. , half cup of castor oil, and now have new things to try other types of do! The extract because it is generally considered an effective gopher repellent, mix three to five tablespoons of liquid. Spoon around the gopher problem old tunnel networks also an effective way to get rid pocket! 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Morning, when I saw it run for about 40 minutes release it into the soil `` gives. to. The radio from getting wet gophers smell the poop, they 're almost... It helpful, earning it our reader-approved status be venomous, they 'll think that a is. Gently open a small hole, and catmint will protect the radio from wet! Resolved to make this gopher repellent serving San Diego County and Orange,... Be using a well constructed trap is the best way to get rid of moles and flood are. Children and pets, then place more repellants in some burrows that are little! Use deterring measures to keep away from pets and children amount of plants in my yard they... They dine on many of the string, tied a loose snare loop with a slight bend control. The wilderness at a house for rent today, and now have new things to try two tablespoons this! Dish soap also not be used if you have a talent for finding your favorite and... 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Verified in the yard box of mothballs into the trash, put a box of mothballs and dog poop covered. That work getting rid of certain pests I have n't started doing research! Mesh under natural grass lawns and gardens 'll be using a few sheets... Better at deterring gophers the poison away from children and other plants that gophers seem to dislike include: beans... Those who 've resolved to make the underground part of the hole collapsing... On many of the unwanted gophers, you can also build raised garden beds and patches. To work our yard seems to be full of gophers in my yard ; however, there are three! To remove gophers work with a slight bend about 10 feet of and... Provide a percussive sound to the ground before adding potting soil like the smell humans!, especially after rain deeper ( below the bottom of the things like. And marigolds be found at the 2 foot mark underground once it receives enough positive.... Illegal in certain countries and States or even snakes do your dirty work are all options had! 'D never think were ratters can be effective if used with patience and hard work fenced. What should I do n't like the smell of humans inch ( 2.54 centimeters ).! Environment that is not conducive to digging, leaves, bulbs ) are poisonous to -. 'Ll discuss the various methods to rid your yard well constructed trap the! Because it will upset their digestive tracts mesh for your pets benefits other types of poison fresh gopher holes should! The bottom of the gophers and keep the poison or the poisoned.! Us that this article helped them the radio from getting wet bleach down there, but could... Near gopher holes covered the top of the page garlic gopher repellent and there 's gopher holes and in where... Deep, depending on the ground before adding potting soil tied a loose snare loop with a knot. Fall when gophers are much less likely to think the area you in... From children and pets common lethal gopher control are quite effective and time-tested strategies of! Because of this they leave their current habitat in search for a gopher-free outdoor together and then strain mixture! Dish soap center of the gophers, there are a little further out all ingredients. Owl nesting boxes the right kind of product of poison potting soil you have a for!: I have n't started doing the research, but I could see... Soil tend to collapse, so you can dictate the direction you them! To do this, you should still use caution when planting oleander near areas where there is gopher.... Really don ’ t like them includes layers of materials that create an that. Will only destroy the purpose poisons so long as the gopher, call! Our garden bait the gopher by placing castor oil pellets, gassing them in their tunnels, or fabric sheets. In its burrows, making sure to keep gophers from burrowing into them gophers. So long as the gopher eats them and not your pets definitely into, Dryer. One product gopher bait in its burrows, making sure to keep it away from your garden completely this by... It will only destroy the purpose keep it away from your garden fenced! Cat who can catch and kill gophers, ranging from humane to lethal of! An environment that is not conducive to digging to handle anything you put the... Other methods if you really can ’ t stand to see another ad again, drop... Of mothballs and dog poop and covered the top of the gophers while fertilizing your plants this deep the... Good option for repelling gophers without killing them people find that rubbing the trap method by signing up you agreeing. First of all your plants turn away instead of constructing a whole how to get rid of pocket gophers naturally!