These lethal methods of gopher control are quite effective and widely used. Using caster oil to get rid of gophers in your yard is probably the fastest-growing natural gopher control method. Will this work? amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "search"; You can also connect a hose to your car exhaust and smoke them out with that. This is true, but there are also other benefits of using anticoagulants. Repel the gopher by placing castor oil pellets, peppermint oil, and fabric softener sheets in the burrows nearest your home. Since we rarely get rain in Southern California, you will need to water areas in which you distribute the granules to get the caster oil down into the soil. One of the easiest and most effective ways to get rid of a gopher that’s burrowing under your lawn is to set a live trap. All parts of daffodils (flowers, leaves, bulbs) are poisonous to gophers - as well as to people and dogs. For many homeowners, it is easier to hire professionals, since trapping gophers yourself requires you to safely handle occupied traps and transport them somewhere to release them. They are pretty and create a soft, chiming noise that gophers seem to dislike. Repeat the process until you've added repellants to the outermost burrows. It will also make your lawn less appealing. Instead, try going at least 12 inches. One natural method to fighting gophers is to create noise in your yard As it turns out, moles and gophers are sensitive to noises, especially loud noises. The more intimidating they are, the more likely they will scare away the gophers. There are devices, instruments called "thumpers" that provide a percussive sound to the ground near gopher holes. What are they after in this case? This, in turn, can naturally cut down on your gopher population by either scaring them away or ensuring their spot on the food chain. Anticoagulant poisons are a safer, lethal way to remove gophers. You can easily find hardware cloth at a local home improvement store. amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; Cats and dogs are gopher predators. This will confuse the gophers, and prevent them from digging deeper (below the bottom of your fence. "I haven't tried anything yet. Pick another answer! If you have a very big gopher problem, consider getting two snakes. Choose another answer! In one end of the string, tied a loose snare loop with a big knot. After all, it is rarely the case that homeowners want to kill rodents and other wildlife for the sake of killing them; all they really want is for these animals to stop destroying their gardens and lawns. Tabasco Sauce Repellent. While this is correct, there are other reasons to use anticoagulant poisons. This leads to the animal's death. Dilute castor oil with some water and spray it into the tunnels, You can also try dropping some castor oil capsules into the tunnels instead. Other plants that gophers seem to dislike include: castor beans, daffodils, and marigolds. I'm an elderly woman and not sure if I would be able to use the trap method. Leimone Waite. For this method to be effective, you will need to dig a trench at least about one foot deep around the area you want to protect. To make this gopher repellent, you need water, some peppermint oil, castor oil, and of course Tabasco sauce. Dryer sheets. Thank you for the, "We use wire mesh with 1/4" holes. Yup! Make sure that you are indeed dealing with gophers. To protect your vegetable garden from gophers, try planting marigolds as a protective border. As for dogs, some dogs you'd never think were ratters can be very good. Natural Gopher Control; There are a lot of different types of gophers, but the pocket gopher is probably the one you’re trying to get rid of. We are senior citizens unable to work our yard. Guess again! It may actually help you find out where the other hole is. Read on for another quiz question. Nope! Something in my garden is eating my onions and other plants with bulbs. This gives you the opportunity to plan your landscaping in a way that can help repel gophers naturally. Again, go for the gopher mesh if it is an option – or make your own baskets with leftover mesh from your lawn – but know that most garden centers sell gopher baskets made from chicken wire. The moles and gophers get diarrhoea when they eat this. Place the live trap near one of the entrances to the gopher’s burrow, and put some bait inside it, like carrot or celery sticks with peanut butter. Read on for another quiz question. Cover the trench with 1 inch (2.54 centimeters) of soil. Some people find that the oleander plant is also an effective gopher repellent. Once the gopher is dead, the body is not toxic like with other types of poison. Deposit the bait in its burrows, making sure to keep it away from kids and pets. Remember to read all product labels and follow the application instructions on these labels, and stay safe by wearing personal protective equipment (PPE). If you’re trying to get rid of pocket gophers, you need to call a wildlife control professional. Steve Masley has been designing and maintaining organic vegetable gardens in the San Francisco Bay Area for over 30 years. below. There are 12 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Gophers have a talent for finding your favorite plants and eating them. Some people find that rubbing the trap with fresh rosemary helps further disguise the smell of humans. amzn_assoc_design = "in_content"; Most homeowners want to repel gophers because they are killing their lawn or plants, but there are some plants that gophers do not like. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; Make sure that it is deep enough to fit the stake. Extending your fence underground is a good idea, but 6 inches isn't always enough. Gassing is generally considered a safe method to use if you have other animals, since you must keep your animals out of the area while the gassing is taking place, and the gas dissipates quickly. The best solution is contacting a professional that is experienced in identifying, locating, and removing gophers from your lawn. Dig a hole into the ground. Every day at wikiHow, we work hard to give you access to instructions and information that will help you live a better life, whether it's keeping you safer, healthier, or improving your well-being. Are there any particular plants gophers do not like to eat? This confuses the gophers and makes them turn away instead of digging deeper. Always wash your hands after handling the poison. But if you want to be sure you're adopting a dog who'll hunt gophers, try to get two Jack Russell Terriers (both should be altered to prevent puppies). How to Get Rid of Pocket Gophers? Barriers, repellants and sonic deterrents are worth considering. Have you used natural gopher control methods to repel gophers without killing them? If you use water in the gopher holes more than once and the gophers do not die, the gophers will move to another part of your garden. Castor oil not only helps in hair growth and treatment of many health conditions. ", lavender and marigolds. Gophers are particularly sensitive to smells and sounds. Wait 1-2 days, then place more repellants in some burrows that are a little further out. Two terriers will tag team a gopher. Q: I have a gopher leaving dirt mounds all over my lawn. Some people use a long screwdriver. If you happen to apply this natural gopher deterrent when rain is in the forecast, you can just leave them alone and allow the rain do wet the ground for you. amzn_assoc_design = "in_content"; Use the above-mentioned gopher mesh to create barriers around gardens, your lawn or your whole yard. We also use wire baskets for critical plants. Mothballs. Scatter some of your pet's droppings. Almost! In fact, you can dictate the direction you want them to go. Could it be gophers? Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. Tabasco sauce. I would start with the cotton balls soaked in Tabasco and dump my coffee grounds. Avoid hammering or pushing the stake directly into the soil, as this can damage it. amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "installitdire-20"; amzn_assoc_default_search_phrase = "peppermint essential oil"; This article was co-authored by Steve Masley. Request an estimate and design consultation today by filling out our short form Gently open a small hole, pour some pellets in, cover the hole without collapsing the tunnel. I don't know, but it may just be going into the dirt. Where is it going? Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Fill a spray bottle with it. 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