{"id":17981,"date":"2020-07-13T19:24:58","date_gmt":"2020-07-13T22:24:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/?p=17981"},"modified":"2025-03-28T16:38:49","modified_gmt":"2025-03-28T19:38:49","slug":"how-to-get-rid-of-gophers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/pest-control\/how-to-get-rid-of-gophers\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Get Rid of Gophers"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Gophers love to make a dramatic entrance, especially when digging their tunnel openings right in your backyard. Your mission is to show them the exit \u2014 or at least the way to a neighbor\u2019s lawn. We\u2019ve pulled together the best solutions on how to get rid of gophers in your lawn.&nbsp;<\/p>   <div class=\"wp-block-ub-table-of-contents-block ub_table-of-contents\" id=\"ub_table-of-contents-17409b05-db4b-4b84-9e3c-8fe53057b025\" data-linktodivider=\"false\" data-showtext=\"show\" data-hidetext=\"hide\" data-scrolltype=\"auto\" data-enablesmoothscroll=\"false\" data-initiallyhideonmobile=\"false\" data-initiallyshow=\"true\"><div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-header-container\" style=\"\"> \t\t\t<div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-header\" style=\"text-align: left; \"> \t\t\t\t<div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-title\"><\/div> \t\t\t\t \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-extra-container\" style=\"\"> \t\t\t<div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-container ub_table-of-contents-1-column\"> \t\t\t\t<ul style=\"\"><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/pest-control\/how-to-get-rid-of-gophers\/#0-what-does-gopher-damage-look-like\" style=\"\">What Does Gopher Damage Look Like?<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/pest-control\/how-to-get-rid-of-gophers\/#1-how-to-get-rid-of-gophers-in-your-lawn\" style=\"\">How to Get Rid of Gophers in Your Lawn<\/a><ul><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/pest-control\/how-to-get-rid-of-gophers\/#2-trapping\" style=\"\">Trapping<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/pest-control\/how-to-get-rid-of-gophers\/#3-poison-baits\" style=\"\">Poison Baits<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/pest-control\/how-to-get-rid-of-gophers\/#4-underground-fencing\" style=\"\">Underground Fencing<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/pest-control\/how-to-get-rid-of-gophers\/#5-flooding\" style=\"\">Flooding<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/pest-control\/how-to-get-rid-of-gophers\/#6-fumigation\" style=\"\">Fumigation<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/pest-control\/how-to-get-rid-of-gophers\/#7-barn-owls\" style=\"\">Barn Owls<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/pest-control\/how-to-get-rid-of-gophers\/#8-household-remedies-for-gophers\" style=\"\">Household Remedies for Gophers<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/pest-control\/how-to-get-rid-of-gophers\/#9-gopher-repellents\" style=\"\">Gopher Repellents<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/pest-control\/how-to-get-rid-of-gophers\/#10-faq-about-how-to-get-rid-of-gophers\" style=\"\">FAQ About How to Get Rid of Gophers<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>   <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"0-what-does-gopher-damage-look-like\">What Does Gopher Damage Look Like?<\/h2>    <p>A clear sign of a gopher family damaging your land is mounds of dirt shaped like crescent moons or horseshoes. Next to the mound, you\u2019ll find a plugged hole. Gophers will stop at nothing to get a nibble of your plants, damage your irrigation system, and build their tunnel fortress underneath your landscape. How\u2019s that for dramatic?<\/p>    <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/rsz_1tree-nature-plant-leaf-flower-soil-196889-pxherecom.jpg\" alt=\"Gopher hole in lawn\" class=\"wp-image-50881\" style=\"width:800px\" width=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/rsz_1tree-nature-plant-leaf-flower-soil-196889-pxherecom.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/rsz_1tree-nature-plant-leaf-flower-soil-196889-pxherecom-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/rsz_1tree-nature-plant-leaf-flower-soil-196889-pxherecom-646x485.jpg 646w, https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/rsz_1tree-nature-plant-leaf-flower-soil-196889-pxherecom-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/rsz_1tree-nature-plant-leaf-flower-soil-196889-pxherecom-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Damage of Gophers to Lawn<br>Photo Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/pxhere.com\/en\/photo\/196889\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Alan Levine<\/a> \/ Pxhere \/ <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"1-how-to-get-rid-of-gophers-in-your-lawn\">How to Get Rid of Gophers in Your Lawn<\/h2>    <p>A single gopher can dig several mounds a day. Imagine the damage a whole gopher family can cause to your yard. Gophers gnaw on irrigation lines, sprinklers, and buried cables. Gophers also harm your plants\u2019 roots. To avoid this damage, here&#8217;s how to get rid of gophers in your lawn.<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"2-trapping\">Trapping<\/h3>    <p>Trapping is an effective and nontoxic gopher control method for homeowners who prefer a humane approach. The best time to trap is in the fall and spring. Common live trap types include Victor Black Box, Macabee, Gophinator, and Cinch.<\/p>    <p>The key to setting these gopher traps is finding the main runway of a tunnel, which will be near a fresh mound.<\/p>    <p>Find a fresh gopher mound and <a href=\"http:\/\/ipm.ucanr.edu\/PMG\/PESTNOTES\/pn7433.html#MANAGEMENT\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">probe for burrows<\/a> around the hole, using a wooden dowel or something similar. You\u2019ll have discovered the runway when your probe sinks 4 to 12 inches into the ground.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p>Stake down two traps into the tunnel facing each other. (Wear leather gloves to protect your hands.)<\/p>    <p><strong>Pro Tip: <\/strong>If you do not catch a gopher within two to three days, move the traps to a different tunnel. You\u2019ll have trapped your gopher(s) when no new mounds appear.<\/p>    <figure class=\"wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"> <iframe title=\"Setting a Gophinator Trap\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/aqMzKAty5Lw?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe> <\/div><\/figure>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"3-poison-baits\">Poison Baits<\/h3>    <p>This control method is a very effective way to kill gophers but can affect other animal populations such as owls, foxes, and coyotes. Follow all labeled directions when using poison baits.<\/p>    <p>Spring is the best time to use poison gopher baits, as this is when their food source is low.&nbsp;<\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>Probe for the main gopher tunnel (as above).<\/li>    <li>Apply bait to the main runway tunnel.<\/li>    <li>Plug the burrow holes after application.<\/li> <\/ul>    <p><strong>Pro Tip:<\/strong> Check the area periodically for two weeks after initial treatment and remove any deceased gopher(s). <\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"4-underground-fencing\">Underground Fencing<\/h3>    <p>Underground fencing may not remove the gophers from your land, but the wire mesh can help deter them from your vegetable garden, plants, and flower beds.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p>Before planting:<\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>Bury hardware cloth or 3\/4-inch mesh poultry wire at least 2 feet under <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/landscaping\/raised-garden-bed-ideas\/\">raised beds<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/li>    <li>Bend 6 inches of mesh or wire at a 90-degree angle away from the plants.<\/li>    <li>Wire baskets also can protect individual plants, but remember to leave enough room for the roots to grow.&nbsp;<\/li> <\/ul>    <p><strong>Pro Tip:<\/strong> This solution can be ineffective against a rather persistent set of gophers who burrow under the wires. The wire does have the potential to restrict proper root growth.<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"5-flooding\">Flooding<\/h3>    <p>Flooding gopher holes may force the gophers out of their burrows and expose them to predators like hunting dogs.<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"6-fumigation\">Fumigation<\/h3>    <p>Fumigation may seem like the perfect gopher exit strategy, but this method of gopher control doesn\u2019t stand up against solutions like trapping and baiting.<\/p>    <p>Why? Fumigation isn\u2019t very useful on gophers, because these pests are pros when it comes to sealing up their burrows for protection.<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"7-barn-owls\">Barn Owls<\/h3>    <p>Attracting barn owls to control your gophers is a natural solution, but it does come with limitations. For starters, you will need to install <a href=\"https:\/\/scvas.org\/build-a-barn-owl-box\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">barn owl boxes<\/a> to encourage barn owls to nest on your property.<\/p>    <p>While you may invite enough barn owls to prey on your gophers, barn owls like to range far from their nesting boxes for food. So even if your barn owl boxes attract barn owls, there is no guarantee the owls will target the gophers so near their home.<\/p>    <p><strong>Bottom line:<\/strong> Barn owls for gopher control is often an unreliable solution.<\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"8-household-remedies-for-gophers\">Household Remedies for Gophers<\/h2>    <p>Household and DIY remedies to get rid of other pests often are effective, environmentally safe, and save quite a few bucks. That\u2019s not the case with gophers, though.<\/p>    <p>According to the <a href=\"http:\/\/ipm.ucanr.edu\/QT\/gopherscard.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">University of California Agriculture &amp; Natural Resources Program<\/a>, popular household remedies such as gopher purge, mothballs, castor bean, and garlic haven\u2019t been shown to repel gophers from an area.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p>Vibrating stakes, <a href=\"https:\/\/pestgnome.com\/blog\/pest-control\/ultrasonic-pest-control-does-it-work-waste-money\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">ultrasonic pest control devices<\/a>, wind-powered pinwheels, and planting chewing gum or laxatives in burrows also are not recommended for gopher removal.<\/p>    <p>While some devices claim to frighten pocket gophers, these pests don\u2019t scare easily. Their resistance is likely due to their exposure to noise and vibration from sprinklers and lawnmowers.<\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"9-gopher-repellents\">Gopher Repellents<\/h2>    <p>According to the University of California program and the <a href=\"https:\/\/digitalcommons.usu.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?referer=https:\/\/www.google.com\/&amp;httpsredir=1&amp;article=2023&amp;context=extension_histall#page=3\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Utah State University Extension<\/a>, there are no effective repellents available to protect plants from gophers.<\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"10-faq-about-how-to-get-rid-of-gophers\">FAQ About How to Get Rid of Gophers<\/h2>    <div class=\"schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block\"><div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1658398916378\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">What Attracts Gophers to my Yard?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Food. Gophers like to eat and they\u2019ll build their homes anywhere that\u2019s close to a food source. They\u2019re herbivores and eat tubers, acorns, grass, and clover.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1658398926328\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">When Do Gophers Come out of Their Holes?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Gophers usually emerge in the evening hours or after the sunsets. They are active at all hours of the day and do not hibernate during the winter.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1658405141465\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">How Deep Do Gophers Dig?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Gopher burrows are anywhere between 4 to 12 inches underground and about 2.5 to 3.5 inches in diameter. Gophers\u2019 highly advanced burrow system may contain more than 500 tunnels and cover up to 2,000 square feet. Gophers keep their food storage chamber hidden away 6 feet beneath the surface.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"11-when-to-call-a-pest-control-pro\">When to Call a Pest Control Pro<\/h2>    <p>If you have a persistent family of gophers, you may need to call an exterminator. A <a href=\"https:\/\/bit.ly\/3jXRrou\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">pest control professional near you<\/a> has the tools and experience to show your burrowing friends the exit.<\/p>    <p>Main image credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/chuckthephotographer\/2237813541\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Chuck Abbe<\/a> \/ Flickr \/ <a rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0\/\" target=\"_blank\">CC by 2.0<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>How can you get rid of gophers in your yard? Trapping, fumigation, and underground fencing can send your burrowing friends packing.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":73,"featured_media":50900,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[669],"tags":[629],"class_list":["post-17981","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pest-control","tag-pest-control"],"acf":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/rsz_2237813541_0c6f7ee075_k-1.jpg?wsr","author_info":{"display_name":"Jane Purnell","author_link":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/author\/jane-purnell\/"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>How to Get Rid of Gophers<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"How can you get rid of gophers in your yard? 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