Tips to Keep Gophers Away

There just seems to be no end at times when it comes to rodents and garden insect pests, just when you thought you could sit back and enjoy your garden another issue ( the presence of gophers) arises, this has been the experience of many garden enthusiasts. But like other rodents and pests, gophers are no different, they are in search of a food and water source and a place to take up residence. But what do you do when these rodents show up in your yard or garden or better yet how can you gopher-proof your yard? If you want to know how then here is what to do.

Gopher Natural Habitat

The natural habitat of gophers are coastal areas, woodlands, prairies, soils that are moist and soft, and even mountainous areas, gophers excavate large networks of subterranean chambers that are called gopher towns. Gopher towns possess wide systems of tunnels, these tunnels can stretch for long distances and can accommodate thousands of gophers.  The gopher’s long teeth and front legs are used to push dirt out of these tunnels. When predators show up the adult gopher whistles to alert the town. Adult gophers usually live near the front of the town.

How to Identify Gophers

Gophers are brownish to blackish and possess clawed paws that are large in appearance, these claws are made for digging, they also have a short sparsely hairy tail, small eyes, and ears. A flat head and range in size from 4-18 inches. Their front teeth are large (incisors) which gophers use for chewing.

Signs of Gopher Damage

• Look for soil mounds near the surface of the soil, these mounds are created because gophers dig their burrows underground pushing the soil that is removed upward. Gopher mounds can vary in shape and size. However, the mounds are crescent-shaped with a hole at the top.
• Missing leaves, damaged plant stems, and roots are seen because of feeding.
• Tunnels and burrows are also an indication of the presence of gophers, the tunnels and burrows connect the mound. Fresh soil may be also seen around the entrance of the gopher tunnels because they push the soil out as they dig

7 Ways for Gopher Control

1. Use Loud Noises

Loud noises are a great way to keep gophers away, gopher hates loud noises and will not stick around, for example, the use of rattling pinwheels, or a battery-operated radio placed in the gopher tunnel will make it unpleasant for them to hang around. However, place the radio in a plastic bag to keep the radio from getting wet. Hanging wind chimes may also offer some help.

2. Use Barries

The use of barriers is effective for gopher control, here are a few methods that will work.

• Under-lawn barrier- Galvanized mesh wire spread about one foot in depth beneath the surface of the soil while installing a new lawn or garden can help to stop gophers.
• Gopher basket- Gopher baskets are constructed from galvanized mesh wire and will protect your garden plants, the mesh wire can be installed near the specific plants that are vulnerable to gophers.
• Gopher mesh barrier- This method works by spreading fencing or gopher wire 1-2 feet inside and above the ground, gophers will try to tunnel up to the barrier where they will be restricted or brought under control.

3. Gopher Resistance Plant

There are certain plants that gopher dislikes, and while these plants will keep gophers at bay will add beauty to your garden. You can use gopher-resistant plants or you can mix these plants with your garden plants here are just a few that can be added to your garden.

• Lavender
• Lantanacatmint
• Catmint
• California Buckwheat
• Bottlebrush
• California Fuchsia
• Daylilies
• Amaryllis Belladonna
• Daffodils
• Foxglove
• Deer grass
• Fountain grass
• Daffodils
• Ferns
• Coyote bush
• Breath of Heaven
• Indian Hawthorn
• Elderberry
• Amaryllis Belladonna

These are just a few of the many plants that will deter gophers, you can also check with your local nursery or garden center to see which plants in your zone will help with gopher control.

4. Deter Gopher with Odors

Gopher dislikes certain odors and will keep them away, for example placing Tabasco sauce, rotting eggs, peppermint oil, castor oil, garlic oil, dog poop and urine, cat litter,  fish head, etc..  gopher finds to be repulsive and will not stick around.

5. Gopher Repellents

Gopher repellents contain strong scents that they hate. These repellent granules are natural products, the repellents work by using castor oil that interferes with the gopher’s sense of smell and taste.

6. Using Vibrating Stakes

Some vibrating stakes are installed deep in the ground, which means they will not be seen above ground, they are usually battery-operated. Then others are wind-operated ones which can be seen above the ground that has a windmill. Here is how to install vibrating stakes.

• Never push or hammer the stake into the soil which can cause damage.
• Dig a hole in the ground. The hole should be deep enough to accommodate the stake.
• Place the stake inside of the hole.
• Fill the hole with dirt.

7. Call in the professional

Another option is to call in the professionals and let them do the work for you, you will have to pay for their service but at least your gopher issues will be solved. However, shop around for prices that will fit into your budget.

Conclusion

Controlling gophers may be a challenge but the good news is that putting the proper method in place will provide success. This guide will help to to bring control to these garden pests, why let them take over when you can strike back and send gopher packing?