Introduction
Gophers are cute and fluffy creatures, but they can be a nightmare for garden lovers! These small rodents burrow underground and wreak havoc by chewing plant roots and digging tunnels. If you’re tired of seeing your garden destroyed by gophers, you’ve come to the right place. This article will help you explore natural remedies, trapping, prevention, and more, to get rid of gophers for good!
5 Natural Remedies to Get Rid of Gophers in Your Garden
Natural remedies can be a safe and effective solution to get rid of gophers in your garden. Here are five natural remedies you can try:
- Plant strong-scented plants: Gophers have a strong sense of smell and avoid plants with intense fragrances. Some plants you can use for this purpose are lavender, eucalyptus, and mint.
- Use garlic or castor oil sprays: These sprays release an unpleasant smell that repels gophers. To make garlic spray, blend a handful of garlic cloves with water and pour it into a spray bottle. For castor oil spray, mix a cup of castor oil with water and liquid soap and spray it on gopher tunnels.
- Install predators: Installing predators like owls, hawks, or domesticated cats can help deter gophers from your garden.
- Place stones with strong odors: Gophers dislike stones with a strong smell, like mothballs or citrus peels. Place them around the entrances of gopher tunnels to deter them.
- Use vibrating devices: Vibrating devices placed in the ground can disturb gophers and make them leave the area.
The Ultimate Gopher Trapping Guide
Trapping gophers is an effective solution and can be humane if done properly. Here are some tips for successful trapping:
- Choose the right type of trap: There are several types of traps available, including snap traps, box traps, and macabee traps, to name a few. Most traps have a trigger mechanism that captures the gopher once it’s been baited.
- Bait the trap wisely: Use bait that gophers are naturally attracted to, such as carrots or apples. Make sure to place the bait deep enough in the tunnel to avoid gopher removal from above the ground.
- Set the trap properly: Place the trap in an active runway of the gopher tunnel and position it so that the trigger is perpendicular to the tunnel’s length nearest to the burrow. Cover the trap with soil to create a dark and comfortable environment that will entice gophers. Check the trap frequently, at least once a day, to see if you’ve caught a gopher.
- Dispose of the gopher humanely: If the gopher is still alive when you catch it, there are a few methods of humane dispatch. One popular method is drowning the gopher in a bucket of water before burying the rodent.
The Pros and Cons of Hiring a Gopher Exterminator
While trapping gophers on your own may be effective, it may also be best to hire professional experts in the field. Here are some pros and cons of hiring a gopher exterminator:
- Benefits of their expertise and equipment: Professional gopher exterminators know what they’re doing and have specialized equipment to get the job done quickly and effectively.
- Potential environmental impact: Using poison or other chemicals to eradicate gophers may have an adverse impact on local wildlife and the environment. Be sure to ask the professional about their policies and use of environmentally friendly methods.
- Cost concerns: Hiring a professional can be more expensive than trying to do it yourself. Be sure to take into account the cost of time and effort that would go into removing gophers on your own, as well as the potential for damages and consequences of mistakes and trial and error.
Ultimately, the decision to hire a professional should be based on the severity of the infestation and the urgency of the matter. It’s best to compare the pros and cons before making a decision.
Gopher-Proofing Your Garden: Essential Tips for Prevention
Prevention is key when it comes to handling gophers in your garden. Here are some essential tips you should use:
- Install physical barriers: Physical barriers, like mesh or wire fencing, can help keep gophers out of your garden.
- Plant repellent plants: Some plants, like daffodils and fritillaries, repel gophers with their scent and toxicity. Using these plants can help keep gophers at bay.
- Dig trenches: Digging trenches around the perimeter of your garden can help stop gophers from entering.
What NOT to Do When Trying to Get Rid of Gophers
There are some common mistakes that homeowners make when trying to get rid of gophers. Here are a few common DON’Ts:
- Don’t use poison: Poison can have a devastating impact on local wildlife and the ecosystem as a whole. It can also be dangerous to pets and small children.
- Don’t present ethical issues: Cruel traps and other inhumane methods of eradication can lead to unnecessary pain and suffering for gophers.
- Don’t take proper precautions when setting traps: Failing to set traps correctly or without caution, can lead to unwanted consequences that could cause harm to people, pets and other animals.
Instead of relying on these options, consider using some of the natural alternatives previously suggested in this article.
Conclusion
Gopher infestations are a common problem for garden lovers everywhere. Fortunately, there are several effective methods to get rid of gophers, including natural remedies, trapping, and preventative measures. Always consider the pros and cons before deciding to hire a professional, and avoid using hazardous or inhumane methods.