Gopher and Chipmunk Smackdown: The Battle for Your Yard

How to Get Rid Of Gophers in Your Yard

Gophers are burrow-dwelling pests that can quickly wreak havoc in a garden. These herbivores feed on the roots of various plants, such as alfalfa and carrots, with no regard for food sources.

Gophers can cause extensive damage to underground utility cables and irrigation pipes. If you're dealing with a gopher issue, there are several methods available for eliminating these pests.

1. Apply Castor Oil

One of the simplest methods for eliminating gophers and chipmunks from your yard is applying castor oil. This out-of-date remedy acts as an effective pesticide, repelling moles, voles, armadillos, and other digging animals from digging in the soil.

Castor oil's strong smell and bitter taste deter animals from foraging in your yard, making it a popular option among those who wish to protect their gardens without using harsh chemicals.

To use it as a gopher and mole repellent, mix together castor oil, detergent, and water in a spray bottle before spraying over tunnels and hills in your yard.

Another effective way to deter gophers and chipmunks is by scattering some of your pet's droppings into their tunnels. This sends them a signal that there's an approaching predator and will discourage them from digging in your lawn.

For a hands-free solution, sprinkle some coffee grounds over the hills in your yard. This scent will attract predators such as owls, helping keep gophers away from your garden and other parts of your property.

You could also try scattering some castor beans inside your mole tunnels, but be mindful if there are small children or pets around as these beans contain toxic materials.

One way to deter gophers is by installing exclusion fencing around your yard. This will keep them out of your property in the first place, eliminating the worry about them wreaking havoc with your garden and damaging plant roots or bulbs.

2. Set Poison Pellets

One of the simplest methods to rid yourself of gophers is setting poison pellets. These can be purchased at any hardware or amazon and are highly effective, though be sure to read their label before use.

Some people also prefer natural repellents to get rid of gophers. These are safe around children and pets, typically containing castor oil and other ingredients that can be absorbed into the soil, making tunnels and holes less appealing to pests.

Other natural solutions for gophers include planting certain types of plants that are disliked by these animals. This will discourage them from digging in your yard and may even scare them away permanently. Plants such as daffodils, marigolds, and alliums can be grown in raised beds that are typically safe around children and pets alike.

Alternatively, you can place poison pellets inside their tunnels. While this method can be highly effective, there is the potential risk that household pets could ingest the poison and become ill. Therefore, using a poison with anticoagulants rather than strychnine is recommended.

Another way to eliminate gophers is by using fumigants and gasses. These are much safer than poisons or traps and can be applied in all holes simultaneously; however, these methods may not be successful if you miss a hole or start them intermittently.

If you decide to try these methods for getting rid of gophers, be sure to follow all instructions for each technique carefully. For instance, if using poison is your choice, ensure it's carefully placed into burrow openings and covered to prevent non-target birds from accessing it. Moreover, keep the area clean by sweeping and mopping up any droppings.

Caution: Keep Children and Pets away from the treatment area.

3. Set Traps

If you want to eliminate gophers in your yard, one of the most reliable solutions is setting traps. These are easy to set up and provide effective control of gopher populations; however, they require time and effort to get working correctly.

Trapping is not a quick fix for gopher problems, but it is an essential step in eliminating them from your property. The best time to set traps is during spring and fall when gophers tend to be most active.

To set a gopher trap, you need to locate their main tunnel entrance into your yard. You can do this by probing with a rod or probe and identifying where they may be hiding. Once identified, dig down into the tunnel and set your traps accordingly.

Make sure your traps are set up correctly so they won't trip up the gopher as it enters them. Next, bait the trap with something attractive for gophers like carrots, lettuce or apples as well as peanut butter or some pieces of fruit gum.

Once your traps are set, be sure to inspect them frequently. The more often you check them, the faster you'll catch gophers.

You can purchase several traps and place them at strategic points throughout your yard. This way, you'll be able to capture any gophers that have taken up residence there. With this method, you'll be able to rid your garden and lawn of gophers permanently!

Caution: Keep Children and Pets away from the treatment area.

4. Install Exclusion Fencing

Gophers are a common pest that causes extensive destruction to lawns and gardens, including torn-up grass, destroyed sprinkler lines, and uprooted plants. Furthermore, gophers have the capacity to dig tunnels up to 12 inches deep underground.

Exclusion fencing is an effective solution to keep gophers out of your yard and safeguard plants and trees from damage. It can be installed in various ways, depending on what wildlife you want to exclude and what area you wish to safeguard.

Installing exclusion fencing is the most reliable and long-lasting way to keep reptiles and amphibians away from your property. Heavy galvanized hardware cloth with a 1/4 inch mesh size is the ideal material for this task; not only is it durable, but it's also cost-effective as materials last for an extended period of time.

To guarantee the fence remains securely in place and doesn't come loose, hot dip galvanized steel strainer posts and stays are essential. This will enable the fence to withstand more tension over time - an essential feature for quality exclusion fencing.

Another effective solution for controlling gophers is installing a wire mesh or hardware cloth perimeter fence. This fence should extend at least one foot below the ground and be curved so that it runs parallel to the ground surface.

Investment can be costly, but this is an effective way to keep pests out of your yard and away from the plants you cherish. Exclusion fences can be easily purchased at local home improvement stores and garden centers for a reasonable cost.

5. Install Owl Boxes

One natural and effective way to get rid of gophers is to attract barn owls to your property. These predatory birds have been known to kill up to 1000 gophers annually, making them an effective pest control solution. However, it should be noted that while they may prey on gophers, they also eat other things like small birds and snakes; thus if you need a long-term sustainable solution then traps or the poison may be more suitable.

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