Gopher Control Companies in Southern California — How to Choose

When gopher mounds appear in your yard, you have two broad options: call a general pest control company that handles gophers among dozens of other pests, or hire a dedicated gopher control company that specializes exclusively in burrowing rodents. The difference in results is significant. This guide explains what separates good gopher control companies from mediocre ones, what questions to ask before hiring, and what to expect from professional service.

Specialists vs. General Pest Control Companies

Most large pest control companies — the ones with trucks you see in every neighborhood — offer gopher control as one item on a long menu of services. Their technicians handle ants, roaches, wasps, rodents, termites, and gophers, rotating between very different pest types on the same day. Gopher control requires specific knowledge of tunnel systems, mound patterns, and trap placement that develops through repetition and focus.

A dedicated gopher control company sends technicians who work exclusively on gophers, moles, and ground squirrels. They read tunnel systems and mound patterns the way a plumber reads pipe layouts — through accumulated pattern recognition that a generalist simply does not develop. The result is faster, more reliable elimination and fewer callbacks.

The Method Question — What to Ask Before Hiring

The single most important question to ask any gopher control company is: what method do you use?

Companies that answer "bait" or "rodenticide" are using the cheapest, fastest-to-deploy method — not necessarily the most effective or safest. Bait produces uncertain results because you cannot confirm whether the gopher took it, and it poses real risks to pets and wildlife. Companies that answer "trapping" or "carbon monoxide" are using methods that require more skill and labor but produce confirmed, verifiable results.

See our full comparison of gopher control methods for a detailed breakdown of each approach.

Five Things to Look for in a Gopher Control Company

1. Specialization. Does the company focus on gopher, mole, and ground squirrel control, or is it a general pest control company that adds gophers as an upsell? Specialists develop deeper expertise and typically produce better results.

2. Chemical-free methods. Does the company use trapping and carbon monoxide, or does it rely on rodenticide bait? Chemical-free methods are safer for pets, children, and wildlife and produce verifiable results. A company confident in its methods does not need to rely on poison.

3. Follow-up visits. Does the service include return visits to check results and confirm elimination? A company that sets traps on one visit and considers the job done is not providing complete service. Follow-up is what separates professional gopher control from a one-time trap placement.

4. A written guarantee. A company confident in its work will back it with a guarantee. Ask specifically how long the guarantee period is and what it covers. Rodent Guys provides a 60-day guarantee on all initial services — if activity returns within 60 days, we retreat at no additional charge.

5. Reviews and track record. Look for companies with a consistent history of positive reviews specifically mentioning gopher control results — not just general pest control satisfaction. Recent reviews matter more than old ones, and responses to negative reviews reveal how a company handles problems.

Red Flags to Watch For

Not all gopher control companies deliver what they promise. Watch for these warning signs:

No follow-up visit included. If a company quotes you a price for a single visit with no follow-up, they are not providing complete service. Gopher control requires confirmation that the animal has been eliminated.

Bait-only service. Companies that use only rodenticide bait cannot guarantee results because they cannot confirm the bait worked. If activity continues after bait service, they often blame reinfestation rather than treatment failure.

No guarantee. A company that will not stand behind its work with a written guarantee is telling you something about their confidence in their own methods.

High-pressure upselling. Gopher control is straightforward. Companies that push expensive ongoing contracts for a problem that should be resolved in one or two visits may be more interested in recurring revenue than solving your problem.

About Rodent Guys

Rodent Guys is a Southern California gopher control specialist serving homeowners and commercial properties across Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, and Riverside counties. We focus exclusively on gopher, mole, and ground squirrel control — not general pest control. Our technicians use only trapping and carbon monoxide, never rodenticide bait.

Every initial service includes follow-up visits and a 60-day guarantee. We serve over 160 cities and have completed over 95,000 jobs across Southern California. Read more about how to choose a gopher control company or call us for a free estimate.

Service Areas

Rodent Guys provides gopher control throughout Southern California including Los Angeles, Irvine, Riverside, Rancho Cucamonga, Anaheim, Corona, Ontario, and 150+ more cities. View the full service area list.

Related Articles

• How to Choose a Gopher Control Company
• What Is a Gopher Controller?
• Gopher Control Methods — Trapping, CO, and Bait Compared
• Professional Gopher Control Services
• DIY vs. Professional Gopher Control
• What Does the 60-Day Guarantee Cover?
• Gopher Control Cost Guide

Call 909-599-4711 to speak with Southern California's dedicated gopher control specialists. Free estimates, chemical-free methods, 60-day guarantee.