What keeps gophers out of your yard?

What Keeps Gophers Out of Your Yard? A Comprehensive Guide

The key to permanently solving your gopher problem lies in a multi-pronged approach combining preventative measures, physical barriers, and, if necessary, humane trapping methods. Understanding gopher behavior and implementing these strategies effectively is what keeps gophers out of your yard.

Understanding the Gopher Threat

Gophers, those seemingly harmless rodents with a penchant for tunneling, can wreak havoc on your carefully cultivated landscape. Their extensive burrow systems not only create unsightly mounds but also damage plant roots, irrigation lines, and even destabilize foundations. Knowing your enemy is the first step in effectively controlling them. Gophers are herbivores that primarily feed on plant roots, tubers, and bulbs. They are active year-round, although their activity may decrease slightly during periods of extreme cold or drought. Understanding their behavior patterns is key to knowing what keeps gophers out of your yard.

Prevention is Paramount

The best defense is a good offense, and that holds true when dealing with gophers. Taking preventative measures can significantly reduce the likelihood of gophers invading your yard in the first place.

• Planting Resistant Species: Certain plants are naturally less appealing to gophers. Consider incorporating these into your landscape design:
  • Lavender
  • Rosemary
  • California poppy
  • Deer grass
  • Fescue grasses (used as a barrier planting)
• Protecting Vulnerable Plants: Use wire mesh cages or baskets around the roots of newly planted trees, shrubs, and flowers to shield them from gopher feeding.
• Good Yard Maintenance: Regularly mow your lawn, clear away fallen leaves and debris, and promptly address any signs of gopher activity.
• Discouraging Entry Points: Seal up any existing holes or cracks in your foundation or retaining walls that could serve as entry points for gophers.

Physical Barriers: A Solid Defense

Physical barriers are a highly effective way to protect specific areas or your entire yard from gopher infestation.

• Wire Mesh Fencing: Install a buried wire mesh fence around your property or garden. The mesh should extend at least 2-3 feet below ground and at least 1 foot above ground to prevent gophers from tunneling under or climbing over it. Use a mesh size of ¼ inch or smaller.
• Raised Garden Beds: Construct raised garden beds with wire mesh bottoms to prevent gophers from accessing the soil and plants from below.
• Tree Guards: Protect young trees with wire mesh guards that extend several feet above the ground.

Repellents: A Temporary Solution

While not always a guaranteed solution, repellents can sometimes discourage gophers from entering your yard.

• Castor Oil-Based Repellents: These repellents have an unpleasant taste and odor that gophers find unpalatable. Apply them to the soil around plants or directly into gopher burrows. Reapplication is often necessary after rain or watering.
• Predator Urine: The scent of predator urine (such as coyote or fox urine) can deter gophers. However, the effectiveness of this method can be variable.
• Electronic Repellents: Solar-powered sonic devices emit vibrations that are supposed to disrupt gophers’ tunneling activity. However, their effectiveness is debated, and they may not work in all soil types.

Humane Trapping: A Last Resort

If other methods fail, trapping may be necessary to remove gophers from your yard. Use humane traps designed to capture gophers alive.

1. Locate Active Runways: Identify active gopher tunnels by probing the soil near fresh mounds.
2. Set the Trap: Place the trap inside the tunnel, ensuring it is properly set according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
3. Conceal the Trap: Cover the trap with soil or vegetation to make it less conspicuous to the gopher.
4. Check the Trap Regularly: Check the trap daily. If you catch a gopher, release it in a suitable location away from your property (check local regulations regarding the relocation of wildlife).

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Relying solely on repellents: Repellents are often ineffective as a long-term solution.
• Improper trap placement: Placing traps in inactive tunnels is a waste of time.
• Using lethal traps: Humane trapping is the most ethical and sustainable approach.
• Ignoring signs of gopher activity: Early detection and intervention are crucial.
• Failing to identify the correct pest: Confirm that the animal is indeed a gopher and not another burrowing creature.

Frequently Asked Questions About Gopher Control

Will flooding gopher tunnels eliminate the problem?

While flooding gopher tunnels might seem like a quick fix, it’s generally ineffective and can even worsen the situation. Gophers are adept at escaping flooded tunnels, and the water can damage your yard and potentially create mudslides. It is not a sustainable method of what keeps gophers out of your yard.

Do gopher baits work?

Gopher baits containing poison can be effective, but they pose significant risks to pets, children, and other wildlife. It is crucial to consider the potential harm before using any type of poison bait. If you choose to use bait, follow the label instructions carefully and take precautions to prevent accidental ingestion.

Are there any natural predators that can help control gopher populations?

Yes, several natural predators can help keep gopher populations in check. These include owls, hawks, snakes, coyotes, foxes, and badgers. Encouraging these predators by providing suitable habitat can contribute to natural gopher control.

How do I identify a gopher mound versus a molehill?

Gopher mounds are typically fan-shaped and have a plug on one side. Molehills, on the other hand, are usually cone-shaped and have a plug in the center. Gopher mounds are also often larger than molehills.

Can I use vibrations to scare away gophers?

Electronic sonic devices that emit vibrations are marketed as gopher repellents, but their effectiveness is questionable. Some studies have shown that gophers quickly adapt to the vibrations, rendering the devices ineffective.

How far can a gopher travel from its burrow?

Gophers typically stay within a relatively small area around their burrows. They generally don’t travel more than a few hundred feet from their underground network.

What time of year are gophers most active?

Gophers are active year-round, but their activity may be more noticeable during the spring and fall when the soil is moist and easy to dig.

Will planting garlic or other strong-smelling plants deter gophers?

While some gardeners swear by this method, there is limited scientific evidence to support the claim that garlic or other strong-smelling plants effectively deter gophers. It’s best to rely on more proven methods, such as physical barriers.

How deep do gopher tunnels typically go?

Gopher tunnels usually run 6 to 12 inches below the surface, but they can sometimes be deeper, especially in areas with heavy soil.

Is there any way to coexist peacefully with gophers?

In some cases, it may be possible to coexist with gophers if their activity is minimal and doesn’t cause significant damage. However, in most situations, control measures are necessary to protect your landscape and property.

Can professional pest control services help with gopher control?

Yes, professional pest control services have the expertise and equipment to effectively manage gopher infestations. They can assess the situation, develop a customized control plan, and implement appropriate measures.

What are the long-term strategies for keeping gophers away?

Long-term gopher control requires a consistent and integrated approach that combines preventative measures, physical barriers, and, when necessary, humane trapping. Regular monitoring and maintenance are essential to prevent re-infestation. Therefore, knowing what keeps gophers out of your yard requires a continuous effort.