Gophers may look adorable in cartoons but in the actual world, they become a menace. These small rodents make extensive tunnel systems underground. Bringing these “pipes” to your backyard can spoil your garden and harm plants’ roots. If you have dirt heaps that look like half circles or horseshoes in your yard, then there are probably gophers that have to be dealt with.
Learning the way gophers act is the base of all effective measures used to control them. Gophers are those animals that are solitary, except when they are trying to breed. A single gopher does spend a lot of its time beneath the surface though, feeding on the roots and stems of plants. This not only looks unsightly but it also degrades the soil below the house and garden.
Read more: 4 Things You Need to Know to Deal with the Pesky Pests in Your Home
Understanding Gopher Removal Techniques
The first thing in gopher removal is to determine their inhabitancy. Inspect for new, freshly dug soil mounds and look for the conventional gopher hole, which is typically slightly closed off but is still usually evident. Having located the activity zones, you now need to decide on a method of clearing them.
A humane method is to use live traps. Consider strategically placing these traps close to the tunnels you think are active, and the traps could be baited with fresh vegetables. Always check the traps twice a day. What follows after catching a gopher is relocation to some far away natural habitat that meets the local wildlife laws.
Natural Deterrents and Repellents
If you do not like traps, non-intrusive repellents may be a good choice for you. The taste and odor of castor oil granules play a role in gophers’ aversion towards them. Scatter these granules around your garden, mainly near the gopher holes, and water the area to assist the granules to pass into the soil. Such a method could require several applications so that it will be effective.
Another deterrent comes in the form of planting gopher-repellent plants. Gophers are less likely to eat marigold, daffodils and garlic plants, and may even be repelled by them. Achieving your goal here is possible through the inclusion of these plants in the gardening layout in such a way that would prevent the gophers. This is a natural way to send them packing without harming the environment.
Continuous Monitoring and Prevention
After you’ve taken care of the actual problem, you need to remain vigilant in stopping the gophers. Observe the garden periodically for indications of new gopher infestation. A maintained garden, with consistent watering and pulling of weeds, and with one of two gopher repellent plants, can ward off any second visits of the gophers. You may also put in wire mesh underground when creating new beds. It hinders gophers from consuming the roots thus protecting your plants from damage.
Conclusion
There is no need for gopher removal with the use of brutal methods. Being knowledgeable on these rodents and by utilizing the most humane traps, natural repellents and prevention methods are the ways to remain confident that your garden is safe and healthy. Avoiding gopher problems in a garden may seem daunting, but with constant care and the strategies discussed above, you can have a gopher-free garden for years to come.
