Gophers are one of the most persistent and elusive underground pests, known for their extensive burrow systems and relentless appetite for roots and vegetation. These small mammals can wreak havoc on lawns, gardens, and even farmlands by creating unsightly mounds, damaging roots, and compromising the structure of the soil. But with a strategic approach and a solid partnership with Jordan Pest Control, you can protect your landscape and keep your property free from gophers.
In this guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about gophers—their habits, lifestyle, anatomy, and most importantly, how to get rid of them. Together, we’ll work as a team to safeguard your property from these burrowing invaders.
What Exactly Are Gophers? An Overview
Gophers, specifically pocket gophers, are small, burrowing rodents found throughout North America. They are named “pocket” gophers because of the large cheek pouches they use to transport food to their burrows. While small, typically weighing between a few ounces and a pound, gophers can have a big impact on the landscapes they inhabit due to their extensive burrowing and feeding habits.
Anatomy and Unique Features
- Cheek Pouches: One of the most distinguishing features of gophers is their cheek pouches, or “pockets,” which extend from their mouth to their shoulders. They use these pouches to carry food, bedding, and other materials through their burrow systems.
- Powerful Front Claws and Teeth: Gophers have strong, clawed front paws and long, chisel-like teeth, perfect for digging and chewing through tough soil and roots. Their teeth are exposed and grow continuously, allowing them to gnaw without wearing down their teeth.
- Small Eyes and Ears: Due to their underground lifestyle, gophers rely more on touch and smell than sight or hearing, which is why they have small eyes and ears that are adapted for limited light conditions.
- Short Tail: Their tail helps them navigate backward through tunnels and serves as a sensory organ in the dark underground environment.
Gopher Habits and Lifestyle
Understanding how gophers live is key to developing an effective plan for managing their impact on your property.
Burrowing and Tunnel Systems
Gophers are expert diggers and construct elaborate underground tunnel systems. These burrows can be extensive, sometimes covering up to 2,000 square feet and including multiple chambers for nesting, food storage, and waste. Gophers generally stay within their own tunnels, meaning each gopher’s burrow is its own territory.
- Feeding Tunnels: Near the surface, gophers dig feeding tunnels where they can access plant roots. These shallow tunnels are where they cause the most damage to gardens and lawns.
- Deep Chambers: Gophers also dig deeper chambers to store food, create nests, and escape from predators. These chambers can be up to six feet underground, providing them with protection from the elements and predators.
Diet and Feeding Habits
Gophers are herbivores, and their diet primarily consists of roots, bulbs, tubers, and other underground plant parts. They may also occasionally venture above ground to eat nearby vegetation. Gophers have a high metabolism, meaning they need to eat frequently, which can lead to severe root damage to plants, shrubs, and trees in affected areas.
- Roots: Gophers feed on roots by tunneling near them and pulling them into their burrows. This can weaken and kill plants, often before the damage is even visible above ground.
- Grass and Bulbs: They’re known to eat garden vegetables, bulbs, and even ornamental plants, making them a significant threat to landscapes.
Reproduction and Population Growth
Gophers reproduce once or twice a year, with an average litter size of 3-5 pups. This reproduction rate means that gopher populations can grow rapidly if left unchecked. Young gophers typically leave the nest after a few weeks to establish their own burrows, expanding the area affected by their tunneling.
Signs of a Gopher Infestation
Identifying a gopher infestation early is essential to minimizing the damage they cause. Here are some signs that gophers may be active on your property:
- Mounds of Fresh Soil: Gophers create crescent- or fan-shaped mounds of soil when they push dirt to the surface while building their tunnels.
- Wilting or Dying Plants: Plants, shrubs, or trees may suddenly wilt or die as gophers chew through their roots.
- Chewed Vegetation: Gophers may occasionally surface to nibble on plants, leaving behind telltale chew marks.
- Sinking Ground: Over time, gopher tunnels can weaken soil structure, causing patches of ground to sink.
Working Together: How Jordan Pest Control Can Help You Manage Gophers
At Jordan Pest Control, we know that managing a gopher infestation requires a tailored, proactive approach. Here’s how we can work together to tackle the problem effectively:
1. Comprehensive Property Inspection
Our first step is a thorough inspection to identify gopher activity, locate tunnels, and determine the size of the infestation. We’ll assess the specific needs of your property and devise a customized plan to minimize disruption while effectively targeting gophers.
2. Strategic Baiting and Trapping
Based on the inspection, we’ll strategically place bait and traps in active tunnels to target gophers directly. Proper placement is critical, as it ensures the bait and traps are effective without risking exposure to other animals or humans.
3. Exclusion Techniques
After removing gophers, we can work with you to implement exclusion techniques that deter future infestations. These may include installing physical barriers around gardens, trees, and other high-risk areas to prevent gophers from tunneling back in.
4. Follow-Up Visits and Monitoring
To ensure long-term results, we offer follow-up visits to monitor your property for any signs of new activity. Gopher control requires persistence, and we’ll be there to help you maintain a gopher-free property over time.
How to Prevent Gopher Infestations
By working together, you can help minimize the chances of a re-infestation. Here are some preventative steps you can take:
- Remove Food Sources: Reduce the amount of easily accessible vegetation and roots that gophers may target, especially in garden areas.
- Install Barriers: Consider installing wire mesh barriers below planting beds or around young trees to make it more difficult for gophers to access roots.
- Regular Monitoring: Stay vigilant for new gopher mounds or tunnels. The sooner you catch new activity, the easier it will be to manage.
- Work with Professionals: Preventative treatments and regular maintenance from Jordan Pest Control can help keep gophers at bay.
Why Choose Jordan Pest Control?
Jordan Pest Control is dedicated to providing reliable, effective pest management solutions that prioritize your family’s safety and property’s health. With our experience, we know that gopher control isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach, which is why we tailor our treatments to meet your specific needs. We pride ourselves on thorough, respectful service and strive to foster long-term relationships with our clients to ensure their properties stay protected.
Let’s Keep Your Property Gopher-Free
Tackling a gopher problem can be challenging, but together, we can make sure your landscape stays beautiful and healthy. At Jordan Pest Control, we’re here to be your partner in pest-free living, using our expertise and dedication to help you achieve lasting results.
If you suspect gopher activity or want to discuss prevention strategies, contact us today. We’re ready to work together to make your property a safe, gopher-free environment.
Jordan Brimer
Owner & Operator @ Jordan Pest Control LLC
(719) 985-1249
Jordan@jbpest.org
