How to Get Rid of Gophers

The Complete Guide to Gopher Removal for Southern California Homeowners

The most effective way to get rid of gophers is underground trapping placed directly in active primary tunnel runs. No other method — repellents, vibration stakes, poison, or fumigation — consistently eliminates gophers from residential properties.

Step 1 — Confirm You Have Gophers

Before treating, confirm the pest is actually a gopher. Look for:

Fan-shaped or crescent-shaped dirt mounds with a plugged hole on one side

Fresh mounds appearing every few days (indicates active tunneling)

Plants wilting or dying with intact stems (gophers eat roots underground)

Severed drip irrigation lines (gophers chew through soft tubing)

If mounds are volcano-shaped with a central plug, you have moles — not gophers. See our gopher vs mole guide to confirm which pest you have.

Step 2 — Choose Your Removal Method

Professional Trapping (Most Effective)

Professional gopher exterminators achieve results most homeowners cannot replicate. The key is locating the primary tunnel run — the deep main tunnel the gopher uses as its central highway. Lateral tunnels leading to mound openings are not reliable trap locations.

A professional probes the soil, locates the primary run, opens a small access hole, and sets traps in both directions. Traps are checked within 24-48 hours. Most residential gopher problems resolve in 1-2 visits.

DIY Trapping

Macabee traps and Gophinator traps are the most effective DIY options. Probe the soil 8-12 inches from a fresh mound until the probe drops into a tunnel. Dig down to the primary tunnel (not the lateral leading to the mound). Set two traps facing opposite directions. Cover the hole loosely to block light. Check every 24 hours.

Most DIY attempts fail because traps are set in lateral tunnels rather than the primary run. If you have not caught a gopher within 3-4 days, the trap location is likely wrong.

Carbon Monoxide Treatment Carbon monoxide treatment pumps CO gas directly into the tunnel system, reaching areas traps cannot access. Fastest method for extensive tunnel networks. Requires professional equipment — not a DIY option.

What Does NOT Work for Getting Rid of Gophers

Save your money — these methods do not work:

Vibration stakes and windmills — Gophers habituate within days. No scientific evidence supports these.

Ultrasonic devices — Controlled studies show no measurable effect on gopher behavior.

Castor oil repellents — May temporarily discourage surface activity but does not eliminate gophers.

Flooding tunnels — Gophers simply relocate within their tunnel system.

Chewing gum — A persistent myth with no supporting evidence.

Is Gopher Poison Safe?

Poison bait carries serious risks for most residential properties. Dogs and cats readily dig up and eat poison bait or recently poisoned gophers — anticoagulant rodenticides can be fatal to pets days after exposure. Hawks and owls that eat poisoned gophers suffer secondary poisoning. Many HOA communities prohibit rodenticide use. Trapping and carbon monoxide treatment produce comparable or better results without these risks.

How Long Does It Take?

For a typical residential gopher problem, professional treatment resolves the issue in 1-2 service visits over 1-2 weeks. All service includes a 60-day guarantee — if activity returns, we return at no charge.

How to Prevent Gophers From Coming Back

Once gophers are eliminated, the empty territory will eventually attract a new gopher. Prevention options include underground wire mesh around garden beds, gopher baskets around individual plants, and recurring monthly or quarterly professional maintenance for properties with persistent pressure.

Call 909-599-4711 to schedule service or discuss the right approach for your property.

Gopher Control Service | Burrow Blasting | Gopher Extermination