How to Tell If You Have a Gopher Problem

If you’re looking for signs of a gopher infestation, you’ve come to the right place. Gophers are notoriously destructive pests and can ruin your yard if you don’t take action. Here are some of the most common signs of a gopher infestation: Mounds, surface holes, damaged vegetation, and fumigation. After reading this article, you’ll have a better idea of how to identify a gopher infestation in your yard.

Mounds

To tell if you have a gopher problem, start by inspecting your property for mounds. Gophers are apt to make mounds where their burrows were. If you find mounds in these areas, you may need to set up traps or place poison near them. If the mounds are new, you can close them to reveal the fresh tunnel beneath. Once you’ve discovered gopher tunnels, set traps close to their burrows.

Another way to spot gophers is to look for moles. You’ll notice that moles sometimes leave the raised ridges in their wake. But unlike gophers, moles typically don’t create numerous mounds. Instead, they form raised ridges and tunnels under the soil surface. These moles will damage your property by feeding on roots and grubs.

If you notice moles leaving open holes, it’s possible that you have a gopher problem. But before taking steps to eradicate your gopher problem, be sure to locate the moles’ entry and exit holes. Moles prefer moist, fertile lawns. If your lawn is fertile and moist, moles will be attracted to it and will excrete the soil in ridges. Mounds are the result of the tunnels.

Gophers have the capacity to excavate dirt up to 6 feet under the surface. They also have extensive tunnel networks, which can extend for more than a mile. If you see mounds, you can begin the search for the gopher problem. However, this method is not as successful as baiting. The mounds may be small, but the mounds are an indication that you have a gopher problem.

Surface holes

Gophers are small, burrowing rodents. They can cause damage to your property in several different ways. For one thing, their holes can cause damage to your landscaping. Another potential problem is that they can create mounds that are dangerous to walk on because of their hollow nature. Besides damaging your landscaping, gopher mounds can even injure you if you step inside.

A good way to prevent a gopher infestation is to use poison baits to lure them away. You should bury the baits in the burrow holes and the main runway. Make sure you check for two weeks. Alternatively, you can use underground fencing to keep gophers out of your plant beds. Install these fences 2 feet beneath raised beds and bend them at a 90-degree angle away from the plants.

Mounds of dirt are another telltale sign of a gopher problem. Gophers often leave behind mounds as they excavate their chambers and tunnels. These mounds may be fan-shaped at first but will morph into a round or oval shape after the digging process is complete. Moreover, gophers continue to make new mounds while excavating, so you can’t expect them to stop anytime soon.

While gophers are rarely visible, they may arrive from adjacent properties or even from the opposite side of a privacy fence. Another sign that a gopher problem has begun is the sudden devastation of your vegetation. These rodents consume vegetation and shrubs by digging them from the roots to the surface. Their mouths contain pockets, which allow them to deposit their food in chambers inside their tunnel systems.

Damaged vegetation

Among the signs of a gopher problem is damage to plant roots. The most common type of gopher is the pocket gopher, which burrows in the top four to 18 inches of soil. It leaves mounds of soil surrounded by a dirt plug, which may be fan-shaped or crescent-shaped. Gophers burrow through the ground and emerge from small holes to feed on plant life. They make these holes during the winter months, but they also dig tunnels in the summer.

If you find mounds or surface holes, you may be dealing with a gopher problem. These animals can damage up to 70 square feet of soil in a single month. Damaged vegetation should be addressed immediately, as gophers are known to eat plants and tree roots. Gophers are very similar to moles, but the former eat plants while moles eat dirt and worms. They may damage irrigation drip lines and sprinkler systems.

Among the first signs of a gopher problem is damaged vegetation. Gophers destroy plant roots, root systems, and underground utilities. This can lead to a small flood that may be hard to detect but can wreak havoc on your foundation. Since gophers belong to the rodent family, they can also carry diseases. Their bite can also cause infection.

When plants are being eaten, it is a sign that gophers are invading your garden. Usually, gophers attack plants above the soil line, but they will also eat smaller plants. A damaged garden can mean a gopher problem, so you should consult an expert immediately. Gophers prefer to eat plants rather than soil, so be sure to treat your lawn and garden with environmentally-friendly treatments.

Fumigation

A professional gopher control service will usually charge between $150 and $800 to eliminate your gopher problem. With the Gopher Assassin, you pay $399 one time and never have to worry about paying a pest control company again. Of course, with a company, the cost varies, but generally, it depends on the size and number of gophers infesting your property. Because gophers are non-game animals, killing them is legal in most states. The longer and larger the infestation, the more chemicals are required. Fumigation uses a restricted-use fumigant, aluminum phosphide, which is toxic to other animals and soil. This method delivers results quickly, forcing gophers out of your yard.

If you suspect that you have a gopher infestation, a professional may recommend fumigation. This treatment is only used in severe infestations, when gophers have made deep burrows in your lawn, or if they haven’t responded to baits or other treatments. Fumigation is followed by gopher removal and lawn cleaning. Fumigation is usually an expensive and time-consuming process, but it is worth it in the long run.

If you suspect you have a gopher infestation, you should first look for mounds in your yard. Gophers are tunneling creatures and create mounds to get back to the surface. You can also look for signs of gopher damage in your property by noticing sudden damage to trees or flowers. You might also notice weakened tree roots. Fumigation is an excellent solution to eliminate your gopher problem, so be sure to call Hybrid Pest Control for an appointment.

Gophers are a nuisance because they cause damage to your lawn and garden. Gophers gnaw on plants and roots, so you should seek out fumigation as soon as possible. Gophers can be a nuisance for any homeowner, so you must act fast to prevent further damage to your lawn. If you are concerned about gopher infestation, call Valley Pest Solutions today. We offer environmentally safe gopher control treatments, so you won’t have to worry about any unwanted guests.

Avoiding poisons containing strychnine

The most common poison used to kill gophers is strychnine. Strychnine is the most powerful poison, but it is also the most harmful to the ecosystem. The poison will kill anything that eats the bait or dead gopher. Other poisons that can kill gophers include zinc phosphide and chlorophacinone, which are both toxic to animals. The best way to avoid poisons that contain strychnine is to use only bait that is approved by the USDA.

When using strychnine bait, make sure to keep it out of reach of children and pets. Keep in mind that it is illegal to use strychnine on top of the ground. Additionally, if you place it in a gopher tunnel, the bait may be pushed up, causing non-target poisoning. Some poisons must be disposed of by incineration, while others must be buried in a hole at least 18 inches deep.

Although strychnine is a powerful rodenticide, it’s not very safe for humans. Most strychnine-based poisons are restricted-use products. However, licensed pest control applicators can safely use strychnine bait. Because of the risk of exposure, you should only use strychnine bait if you have a gopher problem.

If you have a gopher problem, you should use the Gopher Assassin to treat the problem and end your infestation once and for all. Once you have our gopher killing machine, you will never have to worry about a prolonged intrusion again. Simply turn the machine on, run it for 15-20 minutes above the hole, and BOOM no more gophers. So, what are you waiting for? Purchase your Gopher Assassin today and never worry about these pests again!