Pocket gophers are burrowing rodents recognized for their extensive, solitary tunnel systems throughout North and Central America. They are named for the fur-lined cheek pouches they use to transport food. Though rarely seen above ground, their presence is detected by the significant damage they cause to gardens and lawns. This damage includes consuming plant roots and bulbs, girdling tree bark, and creating large soil mounds that ruin turf and interfere with mowing equipment. The goal of humane removal is to capture the animal alive and relocate it.
Locating Active Gopher Tunnels
Identifying the gopher’s most recent activity is the first step toward successful removal. Gophers create characteristic crescent-shaped or fan-shaped mounds as they push excavated soil to the surface, differing from the circular, volcano-shaped molehill. The burrow entrance is not at the center of the crescent but at the side, usually sealed with a soil plug.
To confirm active tunnels, locate the freshest mound and gently probe the soil 15 to 18 inches away from the plug using a slender rod. When the probe drops with minimal resistance, you have found the main runway, the ideal location for setting a trap.
To verify activity, intentionally open the plug in the mound and check the site a few hours later. If the hole has been quickly re-plugged with fresh soil, the gopher is actively working there. This “plug test” confirms the gopher will return soon, as they diligently seal tunnels to maintain a consistent environment and exclude predators.
Step-by-Step Humane Trapping Techniques
The most humane removal method uses a live-catch box or wire cage trap placed directly into the main runway. Wear gloves before handling the trap to prevent transferring your scent, though gophers are less sensitive to human odor than some other pests.
First, select a fresh mound and use the probing technique to locate the main tunnel, typically six to twelve inches below the surface. Carefully excavate the area just large enough to expose the runway and place the trap entirely inside. The trap door must face the tunnel entrance so the gopher walks over the trigger plate.
Bait can increase the chance of success, especially in warmer weather, though gophers are often lured by the prospect of plugging the open hole.
Baiting the Trap
Recommended baits include:
- Apple slices.
- Carrot pieces.
- A small amount of peanut butter.
Place the bait near the back of the trap, behind the trigger plate. This ensures the gopher is fully inside the cage when the trap is sprung.
After setting the trap, cover the entire excavation site completely with a board, plastic, or sod. Gophers are driven by instinct to seal any open breach. Excluding all light encourages the gopher to move toward the trap to investigate and seal the perceived breach.
The trap must be checked frequently, ideally at least twice a day—once in the early morning and again in the late afternoon. Prompt attention is necessary to ensure the animal’s safety, as gophers can become stressed or dehydrated quickly once caught.
Safe Handling and Relocation Guidelines
Once a gopher is captured, immediate action is required to ensure its welfare before relocation. Approach the trap slowly and cover the cage with a towel to reduce the animal’s stress and provide a dark, secure environment for transport. Always wear thick gloves when handling the trap, as gophers possess sharp incisors and can inflict a painful bite.
Before transporting the animal, contact your local wildlife agency to understand specific relocation regulations. In many jurisdictions, releasing captured wildlife is prohibited or restricted to prevent the spread of disease. Although pocket gophers are generally not a protected species, local laws must be followed to avoid fines.
If relocation is permitted, transport the gopher in a covered container that allows for adequate ventilation and keep it shaded to prevent overheating. The release site should be a wild area away from homes or gardens, offering suitable habitat like loose soil and ample vegetation. Do not release the gopher into an established burrow system, as gophers are solitary and territorial, and the introduced animal would likely be driven out.
Long-Term Gopher Exclusion Strategies
After successful removal, employing physical barriers is the most effective long-term strategy for preventing a new gopher from moving in. Gophers are powerful burrowers, but they can be deterred by installing hardware cloth or gopher wire mesh around vulnerable areas, such as vegetable gardens, planting beds, and the roots of young trees.
Installing Barriers
For maximum effectiveness, a vertical barrier should be constructed by burying galvanized wire mesh 18 to 24 inches deep in a trench. The mesh size should have openings no larger than three-quarters of an inch to prevent gophers from passing through. An additional six inches of the mesh should extend above the ground to deter surface entry.
When installing a horizontal barrier beneath a lawn or garden bed, lay the wire mesh down and cover it with only one to two inches of soil before placing sod or plants. This prevents gophers from tunneling between the mesh and the surface. Sonic devices that emit vibrations are available, but their effectiveness is highly variable and they are not a reliable substitute for a physical barrier.