Gophers are burrowing rodents notorious for their extensive tunnel systems and appetite for garden roots, causing frustration for property owners. Dealing with these pests has inspired numerous folk remedies, one of the most persistent being the idea that bubble gum can be used as a lethal control method. This claim suggests that the sugary treat, once ingested, will cause a fatal intestinal blockage. Determining the effectiveness of this technique requires examining the biological reality of gopher behavior and digestion.
Debunking the Bubble Gum Myth
The theory behind the bubble gum method is that a gopher will eat the gum, and because it cannot digest the non-food product, the sticky mass will obstruct its digestive tract, leading to death. However, the pocket gopher is a highly selective herbivore with an acute sense of smell, primarily subsisting on roots, tubers, and other vegetation found underground. They tend to avoid foreign items placed in their tunnels, often pushing them aside or burying them.
Even if a gopher ingests the gum, the likelihood of a fatal obstruction is low. Gophers, like most rodents, have powerful digestive systems adapted to process tough, fibrous plant material. Pest control specialists who tested this remedy in captivity found that gophers who ate the gum suffered no ill effects. The idea that bubble gum acts as a lethal internal blockage is based on folklore rather than scientific evidence, making it an ineffective strategy.
Environmental and Safety Concerns
Placing bubble gum in the soil introduces environmental risks, regardless of its ineffectiveness as a gopher killer. Traditional chewing gum contains synthetic polymers, essentially plastic, which are non-biodegradable and persist in the environment for decades. Introducing this material into the underground ecosystem contributes to plastic pollution in the soil and potentially the local water table.
The gum, especially sugar-free varieties, may also contain artificial sweeteners or other additives that could pose non-target risks. Other wildlife, pets, or beneficial soil organisms might ingest the material. Relying on this ineffective method also costs valuable time, allowing the gopher population to continue damaging gardens and landscapes while the homeowner waits for a result that will not occur.
Proven Strategies for Gopher Control
Since the bubble gum method is unreliable, focusing on proven control strategies is essential to managing gopher problems.
Trapping
One of the most effective methods is trapping, particularly with specialized devices like Macabee or box traps. Traps should be placed in pairs, one facing each direction, within the main gopher runway. The runway can be located by probing the soil near fresh mounds. Proper placement in the active tunnel and covering the hole to exclude light increases the success rate.
Exclusion
Exclusion is a highly effective long-term strategy for protecting vulnerable plants. Gopher baskets, made of galvanized wire mesh (hardware cloth), can be placed around the roots of individual plants before planting to create a physical barrier. For larger areas, installing wire mesh 1 to 2 feet deep and extending a few inches above ground creates a perimeter barrier around a garden or lawn.
Chemical Control
Chemical control options, such as toxic baits or fumigants, are also available but require careful application. Toxic grain baits must be placed directly into the main runway to prevent non-target animals from accessing them. Fumigants, which fill the burrow system with smoke or gas, are generally less efficient than trapping and must be used with strict adherence to local regulations. Trapping and exclusion remain the most practical options for homeowners dealing with a localized gopher problem.