Pocket gophers are common subterranean pests that cause significant damage to gardens and landscaping. Succulents are popular plants distinguished by their thick, fleshy tissues designed to store water. This article explores the feeding habits of gophers, determines the threat they pose to succulents, and details methods for protecting vulnerable plants from their destructive tunneling.
Gopher Feeding Preferences and Succulent Vulnerability
Gophers primarily subsist on a diet of plant roots, tubers, and other underground storage organs, which they encounter while excavating their tunnel systems. Damage to succulents is often initiated below the soil line. Gophers are drawn to the dense, fleshy root masses and caudices characteristic of many succulent species, rather than the above-ground foliage.
The high moisture content stored within succulent tissues makes them highly attractive to pocket gophers. For a rodent living in dry soil, a succulent root provides both calories and a concentrated source of hydration. This makes a succulent patch an irresistible target, particularly when other food sources are scarce.
While some succulents, such as certain Euphorbia species, contain toxic latex sap that might deter surface-feeding animals, this defense is often ineffective against gophers. The rodent typically consumes the underground root system before reaching the potentially poisonous above-ground parts. The root structures themselves may not contain the same concentration of defensive compounds, allowing the gopher to consume the most vulnerable part of the plant.
Recognizing Signs of Gopher Infestation
The most apparent indication of a gopher’s presence is the appearance of distinct soil mounds in the garden area. These mounds are typically fan-shaped or resemble a horseshoe, created as the gopher pushes excavated dirt to the surface from its lateral tunnel. A specific identifying feature is the off-center soil plug, which seals the tunnel opening.
This characteristic mound shape helps differentiate gopher activity from that of moles, which create symmetrical, volcano-shaped mounds with a centered plug. Gopher tunnels are usually found six to twelve inches below the soil surface, providing access to deep root systems. Following the main tunnel system often reveals a network of shallow feeding burrows radiating toward plant roots.
Damage to succulents often appears sudden, sometimes described as a plant vanishing overnight. A healthy succulent may be found toppled over or pulled partially into the ground, with its entire root system cleanly severed. Inspection shows a lack of ragged edges, confirming the root was pulled down into the tunnel rather than chewed off at the surface.
Physical Barriers and Prevention Methods
The most effective method for protecting individual succulents is using physical exclusion barriers around the root zone. This involves planting the succulent within a protective basket made from galvanized hardware cloth, commonly called gopher wire. The mesh opening size should be 1/2 inch or smaller to physically block the rodent.
These wire baskets must be large enough to accommodate the plant’s mature root ball, typically extending at least 18 inches deep and wide. The galvanized material resists corrosion in moist soil, ensuring the barrier remains intact. Proper installation requires the wire to sit flush with or slightly above the soil line to prevent surface entry.
For larger collections, constructing raised garden beds with securely lined bottoms offers a comprehensive defense. The bottom of the raised bed must be completely covered with galvanized hardware cloth and firmly attached to the frame. This prevents gophers from accessing the soil column from below.
As a secondary preventative measure, gardeners can select succulent varieties that are naturally less palatable to gophers. Certain plants with milky or irritating sap, such as some Euphorbia species, or those with tough, fibrous root systems, like mature Agave varieties, are often avoided. However, relying solely on planting choices is less reliable than installing a robust physical barrier.