Gophers may look cute and harmless, but they can cause significant damage to gardens, lawns, and landscaping through their relentless burrowing and feeding habits. They can chew through irrigation systems and tree roots. In this article, we will discuss three effective ways to get rid of gophers and protect your property from these pesky intruders.

1. Trapping

Trapping is an environmentally-friendly and efficient method for targeting individual gophers that are causing damage in a specific area of your property. There are various types of traps on the market designed for small mammals like gophers. The most common traps are the box trap and the cinch trap.

First, locate an active tunnel by pressing down on it with your fingers or a tool (without collapsing it). An active tunnel is usually marked by a fresh mound or plug of soil. Once you’ve identified an active tunnel, set up the trap according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Check the traps daily and remove captured gophers promptly.

2. Repellents

Repellents are another way to keep gophers away from your lawn without harming them. Castor oil-based repellents work by creating an unpleasant environment for the gophers, forcing them to find food elsewhere. You can also use ultrasonic devices that emit sound frequencies that deter gophers, essentially driving them away from your property.

Apply liquid repellents with a spray nozzle or a hose-end sprayer close to the entry points of tunnels. For granular repellents, mix with water as directed on the package and use a watering can to apply it around garden beds or grass. For ultrasonic devices, simply insert stakes into the ground in areas where you’ve observed gopher activity.

3. Flooding Tunnels

Flooding is a less invasive, non-toxic method for getting rid of gophers. Locate an active tunnel, insert a garden hose into the entrance, and turn on the water. The water will fill the tunnel system, either forcing gophers to evacuate or flooding them out.

It’s essential to ensure that you’re flooding an active tunnel; otherwise, you might be wasting water. Flooding may also not be effective if the gophers have an extensive burrow system since they could escape to higher ground. However, this method combined with other solutions like trapping and repellents can significantly reduce gopher problems.

By employing one or more of these techniques, you can effectively manage gopher populations on your property and protect your lawn, garden, and landscaping from the destructive effects of these burrowing pests.