There’s nothing quite as frustrating as waking up to fresh mounds of dirt in your perfectly maintained yard. If you’ve noticed small volcano-shaped hills popping up seemingly overnight, you’re probably dealing with gophers. And once they settle in, they can turn your lawn into a maze of tunnels and chew through everything from grass roots to irrigation lines.
So what can you do when gophers decide your backyard is their new construction site? This guide will walk you through how to identify gopher damage, understand why they’re there, and, most importantly, what to do to get them out.
What Are Gophers and Why Are They in Your Yard?
Gophers are small, burrowing rodents that spend nearly their entire lives underground. They’re known for their strong front teeth, large front paws made for digging, and for causing extensive damage without ever being seen.
They’re attracted to lawns with loose soil, a steady food source, and little human activity. If your yard has a lush lawn, a garden, or a lot of moisture in the soil, it might feel like paradise to a gopher.
Unlike moles, which also tunnel underground, gophers tend to create more visible surface damage, and they will actually feed on plant roots, flower bulbs, and even tree bark from below.
How to Spot Gopher Damage
Not sure if it’s a gopher or another pest? Look for these telltale signs:
- Mounds of dirt that are crescent or fan-shaped, with a plugged hole off to the side
- Multiple mounds appearing in a row, often overnight
- Wilting plants or grass with no visible cause (the roots may be chewed off below)
- Holes in your drip irrigation or sprinkler lines from underground gnawing
- Unexplained sinking spots in your yard where tunnels have collapsed
Gophers are solitary, but even one gopher can create several mounds a day. Over time, their tunnels can span hundreds of feet. If left untreated, a single gopher can cause serious damage to lawns and landscapes in just a few weeks.
Why Gophers Are Hard to Get Rid Of
Gophers are innovative, persistent, and excellent at avoiding danger. Because they live entirely underground, traps and repellents can be hit-or-miss without a solid strategy.
Many homeowners try DIY options, only to find that the gophers return or, worse, move their tunnels to another part of the yard. While natural deterrents like castor oil or vibration stakes might reduce activity for a little while, they don’t usually solve the problem long-term.
Gophers also reproduce quickly, so what starts as one visitor can soon turn into a larger issue if neighboring gophers move in and take over old tunnels.
How to Get Rid of Gophers Safely and Effectively
Once you’ve confirmed you’re dealing with gophers, the key is to act quickly. The longer they stay, the more damage they cause.
Here are your best options:
1. Professional Trapping Services
Live or lethal traps can be effective when placed correctly, but timing and technique matter. At Genuine Pest Control, we know where to place traps, how often to check them, and how to remove gophers humanely and legally.
2. Baiting and Treatment Plans
There are specific baiting treatments available for gophers, but these should only be used by professionals. We use targeted baiting methods that avoid harming other animals and focus on getting to the core of the problem—literally.
3. Exclusion and Habitat Modification
After removal, we recommend long-term solutions like gopher mesh barriers around garden beds, or deep wire fencing to block re-entry. We’ll also walk you through what landscape or irrigation changes might help make your yard less attractive to future gophers.
When to Call the Professionals
If you’ve spotted more than one mound or tried a DIY method that didn’t work, it’s time to bring in a professional. Gopher removal is a job best left to experts who can:
- Locate active tunnel systems
- Identify the extent of the infestation
- Set up a plan to eliminate current gophers and prevent future ones
- Ensure safety for pets, kids, and other wildlife
At Genuine Pest Control, we’ve helped homeowners all over the region take back their yards from destructive underground pests. Whether it’s one stubborn gopher or a full-blown colony, we’re ready with solutions that work.
Don’t Let Gophers Take Over
Gophers may be small, but the damage they do is anything but. The sooner you take action, the easier it is to stop them before they destroy your lawn, garden, and peace of mind.
If you’re tired of dirt piles, ruined grass, or broken irrigation lines, we’re here to help.
