Anyone know how to get rid of a gopher?

Question

Tunneling thru my yard and really tearing it up-is ther a way to get rid of it or at least repel it?

Answer 1

Here's a link to 5 more tips at eHow.com that might help. But remember:

"Much folklore exists on how to get rid of moles. But there is little evidence that flooding; putting chewing gum, castor oil or dog hair in the holes; firebombing; or ultrasonic pest repellents actually work. Be careful not to create a larger problem for your yard than the moles present. After all, moles will aerate your soil, add organic matter to your garden and kill unwanted and harmful grubs before moving on."

That's from the 2nd link -- also, if you have a pet that might munch on a dead mole after you poisoned it, you might want to think twice about that option, since the poison will transfer. Good luck!

Answer 2

You've got to kill them because they multiply and it could get much worse than it is now for you--I don't know any useful purpose for gophers. In the past few months I have killed about 15 gophers in the yard and garden. When there is a fresh mound I use a shovel and dig down, find the tunnel, place a small wire trap in there that has a wire and stake attached to it because otherwise the gopher can take off with your trap. I then cover the hole on the ground surface with a small board with a brick on top so my cat can't get to it. I have caught some within an hour or two, others within the day. I have also used what is called the gopher getter (mentioned by someone else) where you use the probe-like device and are able to drop poison pellets into the tunnels under the ground. This Spring I did that and in the morning I found a dead gopher on my walkway. I don't know why he was traveling above ground but apparently the poison got him. If you use the poison pellets you need to smooth all the mounds so you can tell if it is working or where the gophers are active. Also, don't use the poison pellets in areas around vegetables or fruits you are planning on eating.

Answer 3

Gophers are most active in the early morning. If you get up around dawn, you'll likely see a new tunnel that hasn't been filled up yet. What I do is take a small mirror and prop it up at the tunnel entrance, so that the sun shines down into the tunnel. I then wait for the gopher to come up the tunnel, usually within a few minutes. The sunlight reflected from the mirror will temporarily blind the gopher, giving me time to aim and shoot it.

If that's not your style, you can also by gopher traps from a number of home/garden centers. However, these will also kill the gopher.

Answer 4

You can try a pair of gopher traps if you are handy and if not then use poison. Just be sure to follow the label directions. Have not heard of anyone haveing much luck with repellants. Even if they temporarly repell, they will be back. especially if they multiply. Or if all else fails, hire a professional.

Answer 5

Bait dropper. It's a long pointed tool (Home Depot) that you stick in the ground until you find the burrow (easier than it sounds). Turn the little knob on top and it drops poison in the burrow that attracts the gopher and he eats it and dies. WORKS FOR ME!
Other method I just heard about, but have not tried; Put dry ice down hole and cover. Dry ice turns back to CO2 and suffocates
gopher.

Answer 6

Gophers cant swim or breath under water. When you see the little fella popping his head up, go out take your garden hose put it in the hole and turn on. Dont do it until you see him, they barracade themselves in when they are just chillin, so if you dont catch him off guard the water will just hit the dirt barracade and back up out of the hole. Footnote: Leave the water on for a period of time long enough to drown him.

Answer 7

Place an empty bottle half way down the mound with the neck upwards, plastic or glass will do. The wind blowing over the neck makes a sound which most burrowing animals are afraid of and they leave................

Answer 8

I KNEW I shouldn't have read these answers...shudder. Drowning, stabbing, poisoning??? I think I'd rather just share my space with the little guy. I hope you find a way to just trap him and ship him off somewhere less cultivated-wherever that might be nowdays, lol.

Answer 9

How about gopher stew? ;-)

Seriously, some people set traps, some people plant poisonous plants (poison roots kill gophers if they are stupid enough to eat them, and others just call a professional.

Answer 10

Stick a very large nail or screw on the end of a stick and poke the ground along his routes. Eventually you'll hit him and he'll already be buried. No mess to clean up and if you are not the killing type, you won't even see his face, so you won't feel bad.