Gophers, also known as pocket gophers, are tiny rodents that live in tunnels under lawns. They seldom venture above the ground, so dealing with them is a battle fought underground. Unfortunately, these furry pests typically target the moisture-rich roots of trees and plants, ruining years of hard work in a matter of hours.
Are you sure gophers are destroying your yard? What if you’re dealing with a different rodent? Learn more about gopher characteristics in today’s blog.
How to Identify a Gopher
Some homeowners confuse gophers with moles, groundhogs, or squirrels. It’s crucial to know who you’re dealing with so that you can proceed accordingly. Furthermore, there are approximately 13 species of gophers in the U.S. Most gophers have the following features:
- Are 5-14 inches long
- Weigh from six ounces to nearly two pounds
- Fur can be black, brown, or white
- Small eyes and ears, so they rely mostly on their sense of touch
- Sturdy in the front of their body with a stubby neck and a flat head
- Long claws
Now that you know how to identify gophers, discover ways to get them to move out below.
Why Are Gophers in My Yard?
Although you didn’t welcome these rodents into your home, you should know that your yard serves as a food source. Gophers are herbivores, so plants and fruits are their main course. They feast on the roots of carrots, alfalfa, grasses, dandelions, radishes, potatoes, tulips, and tree bark.
Gophers can’t live without moisture, and they generally prefer high concentrations of clay. Sandy soil can deter them from excavating holes in your lawn due to an increased risk of a cave-in and a lack of insulation. However, if your yard doesn’t contain sandy soil, this may not scare them away. Some of them bite into irrigation pipes to create moisture.
How Do I Make Gophers Go Away?
If only you could just tell gophers to leave! Fortunately, there are a few ways to get these furry pests out of your yard. Try the following:
Grow plants gophers won’t eat: Gophers don’t like daffodils, onion, or garlic plants, so you can plant as many of these as you want.
Grow gopher repelling plants: Other plants can repel gophers, such as gopher spurge, lavender, crown imperials, salvia, rosemary, catmint, oleander, and marigolds. We recommend planting a border around your flower beds or vegetable garden with these plants.
Avoid poison bait: Some homeowners make the mistake of using poison bait without thinking about the repercussions. If you’re a pet owner, you should know that poison bait is as deadly to your pets as it is to pests. Furthermore, rodenticide is the most commonly ingested poison by dogs. They may directly eat it or get secondary poisoning from coming in contact with a poisoned gopher.
Pest Infestation? Summit Lawn & Pest Control Can Help
If you notice gophers and other pests in your yard, we understand you may want to take manners into your own hands. However, it’s best to leave this job to certified professionals.
You can count on the experts at Summit Lawn & Pest Control to free your yard of troublesome pests. We promise to leave your lawn looking lush, thick, and free of diseases.
We service all of Utah County. Contact us today for a free quote.
