Are gophers turning your yard into their playground, and you are ready to take back control from them?
Say goodbye to those critters with our foolproof guide on removing gophers permanently!
No more holes in your beautiful lawn or ruined flower beds.
From traps to natural repellents, we’ve got all the tips and tricks you need to reclaim your turf.
Don’t allow those underground troublemakers to win – watch now and kick those gophers to the curb for good!
Get ready to enjoy a gopher-free oasis in your backyard.
Table of Contents
What are Gophers?
Gophers have compact or stocky bodies and typically range from 5 to 14 inches long.
These rodents boast soft fur that can vary in color from shades of brown to gray, allowing them to blend seamlessly into their underground burrow habitats.
They have four big incisor teeth, which they use for cutting.
It’s the reason why many people often mistake them for moles. Their most striking features are their powerful front limbs equipped with sharp claws for digging intricate tunnel systems underground.
Gophers have impressive tunneling skills, which aid them in building extensive networks beneath the ground. These complex burrows are living spaces and storage areas for food like plants, which they love eating.
Gophers are highly territorial creatures, fiercely defending their tunnels by being aggressive towards perceived threats or intruders.
Additionally, they possess keen senses of hearing and smell that help them detect danger and communicate with other gophers within their colony.
So, what are the ways to remove gophers from your yard?
1. Trap and relocate
An excellent method for removing gophers from your yard is to trap and relocate them.
It is a humane method to remove gophers from your yard without causing harm to the animals.
The process involves setting up traps in strategic locations where gophers are active, such as near burrow entrances or along their tunnels.
Once the gophers are trapped, you can safely relocate them to a more suitable habitat far away from human dwellings.
The trapping and relocation technique protects your garden from further damage caused by gophers and maintains a balanced ecosystem.
This method allows you to control the gopher population in a non-lethal way while respecting the life of these creatures.
In addition, catching and releasing gophers helps prevent them from returning to your yard and creating more havoc, ensuring a long-term solution for keeping your garden free of these pests.
2. Install exclusion fence
Exclusion fencing is a proactive and effective method to keep gophers out of your yard.
This physical barrier blocks the entrance points pests typically use to access your property.
Materials like wire mesh or hardware cloth can create a sturdy fence that extends above and below ground level to prevent gophers from burrowing underneath.
Ensure the fencing is two to three feet below the ground surface.
One key advantage of using an exclusion fence is that it offers long-lasting protection without ongoing maintenance or chemical treatments.
This strategy safeguards your yard from immediate gopher infestations and prevents future invasions.
Installing an exclusion fence can be a visually appealing way to delineate boundaries while serving a functional purpose in pest control efforts.
3. Remove food sources
Another effective way to eliminate gophers from your yard is to get rid of their food sources.
Gophers survive on various plants and roots, so maintaining a well-manicured lawn can help deter them.
Avoid planting attractive vegetation like alfalfa, carrots, or dandelions in areas where gophers are active.
Besides, treat your lawn for earthworms regularly. Eliminating these food sources makes your yard less appealing to gophers and encourages them to relocate elsewhere for sustenance.
4. Sprinkle predator urine
Imagine a natural, non-toxic solution to ward off gophers from wreaking havoc in your yard – sprinkling predator urine.
This seemingly bizarre tactic taps into the primal fear instilled in these underground invaders by their potential predators.
The scent of urine from animals like foxes, coyotes, or even mountain lions triggers an instinctual response in gophers, prompting them to evacuate the area before becoming someone’s lunch.
Placing predator urine around your yard creates a barrier that deters gophers and protects against future invasions.
It’s like setting up invisible sentinels that take on the role of guardian protectors for your garden.
So, instead of using toxic chemicals or lethal traps that can harm your environment and these creatures, let nature’s defense mechanisms work in harmony with your desire for a gopher-free yard.
5. Drop fish scraps
Utilizing fish scraps is an effective way to deter gophers from wreaking havoc in your yard.
These pungent remnants are potent repellent and a natural fertilizer for your soil.
This dual-purpose solution promotes a healthier lawn while keeping those pesky critters at bay.
As the fish scraps decompose, they release an unappealing odor, deterring gophers from tunneling through your yard.
Additionally, the decomposition process enriches the soil with essential nutrients, promoting lush grass growth and discouraging gopher activity.
Adding this eco-friendly method into your gopher control strategy can maintain a gopher-free yard while improving overall health and vitality.
6. Spray diluted castor oil
One natural solution with promising results in removing gophers is using a spray made from diluted castor oil.
Castor oil contains unpleasant compounds for gophers, causing them to avoid areas with the solution.
To make the spray – mix a small amount of castor oil with water and a few drops of dish soap to help the mixture stick to plants and soil.
Spray the solution around your yard to create an invisible barrier that deters gophers.
While this method may not eliminate the entire gopher population, it can help reduce their activity in your yard over time.
Regular application reinforces the barrier and encourages gophers to seek out other areas for feeding and tunneling activities.
7. Sprinkle coffee grounds
Coffee grounds are a natural deterrent for gophers.
The smell of coffee can help mask the scent of plants and vegetables that may attract these pests, making your yard less appealing to them.
Besides, the grittiness of the coffee grounds can be unpleasant for gophers to dig through, disrupting their activity underground.
Not only are coffee grounds ideal for repelling gophers, but they are also eco-friendly.
Rather than resorting to harmful chemicals or traps, incorporating this simple method into your lawn care routine can help keep gophers at bay while promoting sustainability.
So, next time you make your morning brew, save those used coffee grounds to protect your yard from unwanted underground guests.
8. Plant gopher spurge
Gopher spurge is a unique and effective plant for expelling gophers in your yard.
This plant releases a milky substance that contains toxins, discouraging pests like gophers from your yard.
As a natural alternative to chemical repellents and traps, gopher spurge can be a sustainable solution to your pest problem.
Cultivating gopher spurge around your yard creates a barrier that discourages these rodents from burrowing in your garden.
Embracing this eco-friendly approach helps protect your plants and maintains the balance of the ecosystem in your backyard.
9. Create a noisy environment
Imagine a cacophony of sounds filling the air, disrupting the tranquility of your peaceful yard.
Creating a noisy environment is not just about loud blaring music or honking horns; it can also involve using devices like ultrasonic repellents to deter gophers from invading your space.
These high-frequency sound waves may be inaudible to humans but are highly effective in warding off these pesky underground dwellers.
In addition to technological solutions, embracing natural elements can help create a noisy environment that drives gophers away.
Planting tall grasses and shrubs that rustle in the wind can mimic predator noises, making the area less inviting for these burrowing pests.
You can also use wind chimes for this purpose. Using these artificial and natural noise sources disrupts the comfort zone of gophers and reclaims your yard without causing harm to them.
Conclusion
Removing gophers from your yard is a challenging task that requires patience and persistence.
You can eliminate these pesky critters by using a combination of traps, repellents, and natural deterrents.
Remember to inspect and maintain your yard regularly to prevent future infestations.
With determination and the right strategies, you can reclaim your yard from the clutches of those burrowing bandits! Say goodbye to gophers and hello to a beautifully gopher-free yard!
