Pocket gophers are common subterranean pests that cause significant damage to landscapes. These small, burrowing rodents create extensive tunnel systems for feeding. Their presence is identified by the signature fan-shaped mounds of soil they push to the surface, which contrasts with the volcano-shaped hills created by moles. Gophers consume plant roots, bulbs, and tubers, often severing entire root systems and pulling whole plants into their tunnels. Once activity appears, a prompt control strategy is necessary to protect your garden.
Physical Barriers for Exclusion
The most reliable defense against gophers involves installing physical barriers that prevent access to plant roots. For new garden beds, line the entire bottom surface with galvanized steel hardware cloth or gopher wire. The mesh size should be 1/2 inch or 3/4 inch, as a larger opening may allow younger gophers to pass through.
When constructing raised beds, the hardware cloth must be secured to the inside bottom edges of the frame, ensuring there are no gaps. For existing gardens, a vertical barrier can be installed by digging a trench two to three feet deep around the protected area.
The underground fence requires the wire mesh to be bent into an L-shape at the bottom, extending outward for at least six inches. This horizontal flange prevents gophers from tunneling straight down and under the barrier. The mesh should also extend six inches above the soil line to deter surface entry.
Individual plants, especially high-value trees and shrubs, can be protected using pre-formed gopher baskets. These baskets are made from 20-gauge hexagonal wire mesh and are placed around the root ball during planting. The basket should be large enough to accommodate the plant’s root growth for several years.
Behavioral Deterrents and Repellents
Deterrent methods rely on the gopher’s acute sense of smell and sensitivity to ground disturbance. Castor oil-based products are widely used because the scent is offensive to gophers. The oil is often mixed with a surfactant, such as liquid dish soap, to help it penetrate the soil.
This repellent mixture can be applied by saturating the soil or pouring the solution directly into active tunnel openings. Because the oil degrades and washes away, reapplication is necessary, especially after heavy rain. Repellent effectiveness is often inconsistent and may only encourage the gopher to move its activity to an untreated section of the yard.
Another deterrent involves using sonic or vibration-emitting spikes placed in the ground. These devices send pulses through the soil, meant to irritate the gopher’s sensitive hearing and sense of vibration. The effectiveness of these spikes depends on the soil composition.
Moist, dense clay soil transmits the vibrations well, but dry or loose soil absorbs the sound, limiting the device’s range. Gophers may become habituated to the constant noise, making this a temporary solution. Planting strong-smelling herbs like rosemary, lavender, or allium bulbs may also discourage feeding.
Active Eradication Techniques
For immediate removal of an established gopher, trapping remains the most consistently effective approach for homeowners. The process begins with locating the main runway, which is the gopher’s primary travel route. This is accomplished by using a probe, a slender metal or wood rod, to feel for the slight drop in resistance that indicates the hollow tunnel below the fresh mound.
Once the main runway is located, a section of the tunnel must be carefully excavated to create an opening large enough to insert the traps. Specialized traps, such as the Macabee or Victor Easy Set models, are then placed in the opening. It is standard practice to set two traps facing in opposite directions to intercept the gopher regardless of which way it approaches.
The traps should be secured with wire and a stake so they are not pulled deeper into the tunnel system by a captured animal. The excavated opening must then be completely covered with soil, wood, or a clod of dirt to block out all light and air. Gophers are highly motivated to quickly plug any breach in their system, and this natural behavior will draw them directly into the set traps.
Toxic baits are also available, but they require extreme caution and precision, as they are toxic to pets, children, and beneficial wildlife. These baits, which may contain zinc phosphide or anticoagulants, must be applied directly into the main runway using a probe or specialized applicator. The underground placement is necessary to prevent non-target animals from accessing the poison. Secondary poisoning is a significant concern, where a predator or scavenger is harmed by consuming a poisoned gopher. Homeowners should check local regulations before using chemical control and consider consulting a professional to mitigate risks.