How Do I Stop Gopher Holes in my yard?

Serving Albuquerque and Taos

Nothing can wreak havoc on your lawn faster than a gopher. These subterranean pests can turn your once-pristine property into a maze of unsightly mounds. If you’re a homeowner dealing with the frustrating presence of gopher holes in your yard, you’re not alone; gophers are an extremely common yard pest all year long. A yard’s soft, moist dirt is often the perfect medium for gophers to tunnel through, creating a vast maze just below the ground, waiting to surface and destroy your lawn.

Gopher or Mole Hole- Who’s Tearing Up My Lawn?

These burrowing pests can quickly destroy your lawn, seemingly overnight. When moles and gophers exit their tunnels, they both create their signature dirt mounds on the surface. So, how do you tell the difference between the two without seeing these elusive pests? 

The easiest way to tell if it is a mole or gopher terrorizing your lawn is to inspect the shape of the hill; moles will create a volcano-shaped hill, whereas a gopher’s hill will be fanned out in a crescent shape. A gopher mound will be much larger than a mole’s, ranging from 12 to 20 inches in diameter. You will often find gopher holes more frequently in the spring and fall when they are most active.

How To Stop Gophers From Ruining Your Lawn

• Traps: Two main types of traps are used to catch gophers: kill or no-kill traps. Kill traps are spring-loaded traps that are set into the gopher hole and will kill the gopher quickly when tripped. No-kill traps are set with bait such as apples, peanut butter or carrots. When the gopher takes the bate the trap will close, catching the gopher for you to then relocate away from your home.
• Bait: Gopher baits contain chemicals that are poisonous to gophers but these chemicals can also be harmful to humans and pets as well. It is important to keep bait away from pets and children. While using bait is effective, many states have begun outlawing certain types of gopher baits due to their potentially dangerous nature. 
• Barriers: Using barriers is an effective way to keep gophers out. Gophers dig their tunnels approximately 4-18 inches below the surface. When installing a new fence, bury 2 feet of the fence below the ground to keep gophers from invading your yard. If you are not installing a new fence, you can also place a barrier around your yard. To create a gopher-proof barrier, dig a trench 6 inches wide and 2 feet deep and line it with rocks or a wire mesh. 
• Professional Pest Control: The most effective way to keep gophers out of your yard is through the help of an expert pest control company. They have the knowledge and experience to keep these large pests away. At New Mexico Pest Control, we offer seasonal pest extermination services to keep gophers and other seasonal pests away.

Reclaim Your Yard With New Mexico Pest Control

Dealing with gophers can be extremely frustrating. A single gopher can create over 200 holes a year, completely destroying your lawn. In addition to creating unsightly hills, gophers can damage utility lines and irrigation systems. 

At New Mexico Pest Control, we specialize in eliminating gopher and pocket gopher infestations. Our expert team knows the ins and outs of gopher behavior, utilizing proven strategies to keep these destructive pests out of your yard. Contact us today to bid farewell to gopher holes, protect your landscape, and enjoy a yard free from these subterranean pests.