Basics of Property Management: Screening Potential Tenants

Removing A Gopher Problem From Your Property

9 January 2015

Jesse Obrien

If you have noticed small holes popping up around your garden or backyard area, you may have acquired a family of gophers. Gophers are known to destroy vegetation and lawns, so they will need to be removed if you would like to continue to have a nice-looking yard. Here are some ideas for you to use to aid in the deterring and removal of these pesky animals:

Removal Tactics

When removing a gopher problem, there are a few ways to go about the procedure. You can use methods to try to deter the gophers into leaving on their own or you can use traps to remove them yourself. You can start with deterring and move to trapping if gophers do not seem to be bothered by any of the things you try.

Deterrents

There are a few things you can try to get gophers to leave on their own. They all involve triggers to the gophers' senses. Try to use a few of these methods at a time for maximum effectiveness.

Sight

Gophers are afraid of things that will show a reflection. Place a few small mirrors or colored bottles into gopher holes to scare them into avoiding pathways where there are obvious reflections. After awhile, the gophers will give up trying to make new holes and will move on to an area were there are no obstructions in the way.

Sound

Try placing a small radio inside one of the gopher holes in your yard. The sound waves will scare gophers. You will want to place the radio inside a plastic bag so it does not get ruined. Turn up the sound and leave it underground. You may notice less gophers rather quickly.

Smell

Gophers do not like the smell of garlic, peppermint or cayenne pepper. You can make a mixture using peppermint oil with the other two ingredients. Dip some cotton or cloth pieces in the mixture and place them inside gopher holes you see in your yard. You can also spray this mixture on your plants.

Trapping

If you want to trap gophers, you will need to get some small humane traps from a hunting supply store or catalog. Put some bait inside the trap using a gloved hand so the gophers do not avoid the area due to a human scent. Put the traps inside the gopher holes and periodically check them for any captives. Let the gophers out in a wooded area away from your home. If you still do not have success in removing gophers, you may want to hire a professional pest control service.

To learn more, contact a company like C.H. Animal Control with any questions you have.

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