WARNINGS
CHEMCIAL WARFARE
DAMAGES
DANGERS
DISEASES
DO'S & DON'TS
GOPHER FACTS
GOPHERS 101
INSPECTIONS
NUISANCE PROPERTIES
PET SAFETY
POISONS, BAITS AND FACTS
REAL ESTATE BLUNDERS
RESPONSABILITY
SAFETY
SWIMMING POOLS
TRAPPING VS EVERYTHING ELSE
WHY TRAP?
Information you need to know
Pocket gophers are extremely aggressive when confronted, there are web sites that state that gophers are "territorial" and "reclusive" but this isn't so. Gophers are social and have large communities, where generations of gophers live. Like with all species, the males do battle for dominance of the females, but male gophers still live within the structured society.
If a gopher is actually captured, it will fight to the death. When a child holds a gopher, the gopher will usually "freeze" but within a few seconds, it will bite, usually into a finger and deep into the bone. It's best to never handle a gopher.
Gophers carry a host of diseases, microbial's and parasites. Fleas that are on a gopher can be infected with Bubonic Plague, a real threat, even still. Tapeworm is generally found in all gophers and feces. There are photos on this site that show this. When the gophers expel the dirt above ground, their feces and all the diseases, parasites and microbial's are expelled along with the dirt, above-ground where your pets and family play. It is easy for these diseases, parasites, and microbial's to be brought into the home and into bodies, by simply walking through the dirt, or handling it.
If you have gophers in your property, it's best to immediately contact our office and get your gophers trapped immediately. Gophers populate quickly and leaving your gopher problem for a later time will only make the situation worse.
Injuries most commonly associated with pocket gophers are twisting and breaking of ankles, wrists, legs and arms. Livestock can also break their leg, and must be put down. Whether you have a business, you're part of the administration of Parks and Recreation, or a homeowner, don't wait for an injury to happen, immediately have your gophers trapped so the problem goes away for good. Trapping is the only method proven to kill gophers. The gopher is dead, you see it and it can't return. Don't be sued for injuries, protect yourself and your property.
Chemicals and poisons are the worst thing to use when trying to get rid of pocket gophers. Regardless of what the pest control industry claims, a gopher will instantly detect what has been put into the tunnel system, and push it above-ground, where birds, pets and even children are known to ingest it and die. Recently, two little girls in Utah were killed from a toxin that was applied by a licensed pest control applicator. The safest and only way to get rid of pocket gophers is to use traps and kill them quickly. If you have any doubt, call the state Game and Fish office, or Wildlife office where you live.
When anything is placed inside the gophers tunneling system, the gophers will have that tunnel barricaded in seconds, keeping the product from the population. While the gophers are waiting next door, the females continue to breed, give birth and raise more offspring, increasing the population. As soon as the product has deteriorated, the gophers move back in and bring all the new babies with them. Stopping the population must be done fast, without stirring them up. Trapping is labor intensive but doing the job right the first time is the smartest and least expensive way to go.
Water and flooding are the #1 reasons that foundations erode and walls collapse. Humans are causing more damage than the gophers do, in many cases. Pocket gophers construct extensive tunneling systems, complete with food storage areas, dens, even bathroom areas. The tunnels are constructed so that the water can never reach the dens, because of the design, much like the pipe underneath the sinks. Gophers are extremely intelligent and they are very resilient, so if you happen to catch a gopher, consider yourself lucky and have a shovel ready. You will need to kill it quickly, which is easier said than done. Know that the gopher isn't going to particularly want to be a victim, so plan on a fight. The gopher may be small but his bite is terrible.
When the foundations have been soaked, usually by the homeowner leaving a garden hose in the tunnel (full blast for days) the water washes away the urine that has been formed into the walls of the tunnel. Once the urine is gone and the water, the walls cave in, leaving the foundation of homes and pools weak. It doesn't take much time for cracks and breaks to form, even a pool wall blowing out. Avoid this method, it's useless and will only make your water bill soar.
Flammables and gasses are extremely dangerous and should never be used when pocket gophers or any other tunneling rodent or animal is involved. Gophers tunnel and den underneath and along walls of pools and homes, when gasses and flammables are introduced, the potential for disaster is extremely high. Additionally, concrete is porous, so everything put into the tunneling system can be absorbed into the home. Don't risk the lives of your family using this method. With the flammable gasses, keep in mind that you won't know how the gophers have tunneled underneath your foundation. There have been individuals whom have lit themselves on fire, sustained serious burns, blown up the walls of their homes and started structures on fire. HOWEVER - the gophers remained. Trapping is the only method for wiping out pocket gophers.
Flares and smoke bombs are the same as flammables and gasses. By the time you've walked onto the lawn, the gophers already know your there. If you open up their tunnel, they've already sealed it off about 10' from that entrance. Gophers are much smarter than that. Hooking a hose to a car, lawnmower or some other exhaust does the same thing and it will not work. The gophers can abandon that tunnel system, and immediately start digging a new tunneling system a few inches over, causing "honeycombing" of a yard and foundation. Trapping is the only method.
Dogs and cats being allowed to chase, play with, kill and/or eat pocket gophers is insane! This is the quickest way of contaminating your pet your family and home. A pet doesn't even have to ingest the gopher, just play with it and your pet can ingest the tapeworm eggs, which can be transmitted to your home and family by normal routines. Licking, coughing, excrement and typical animal hygiene are high transfers. Additionally, gophers will attack and dogs and cats alike can lose parts of their noses, lips, tongues and even eyes when going after a gopher. If you have pocket gophers, hire a professional trapper only. Trappers know how to trap and kill these destructive rodents and dispose of the remains, safely.
Old wives tales abound when talking about pocket gophers. It seems that if you take 20 people and ask them how to get rid of a pocket, they'll all have a different method and all wrong. Don't bother with anything but trapping, we know. All you will do is alert the gophers that you are there, they will have your scent and from that point on, they'll know how to avoid everything you do.