Gopher Identification & Prevention
What You Need To Know About Gophers
Even though some may find the general appearance of the gopher quite cute, this pest is known for its tunneling activities and can be quite disruptive to Arizona property owners.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gophers
Have questions? We are here to help. Still have questions or can't find the answer you need? Give us a call at 623-321-2992 today!
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What are gophers?
A type of burrowing rodent belonging to the order Rodentia and the family Geomyidae, gophers grow approximately five to ten inches in length, have soft brown fur, and long, hard teeth that they use to gnaw through almost any material, much like other rodents.
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Where do gophers live?Gophers live underground in a system of complex tunnels that they dig for themselves. They prefer to live alone in these burrows and will fill the extra space with large numbers of food they scavenge. Gophers rarely emerge above ground, doing so only to scout out more food and water sources, and the only time more than one gopher is in a burrow is during the breeding season.
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Are gophers dangerous?
Gophers can be quite dangerous when they invade your property for several reasons. This pest is quite destructive, and their digging can damage outdoor areas, native plant life, and any underground utility lines as the gopher bites and gnaws their way through them during tunnel creation.
This pest may also attack cats, dogs, or humans that disturb them or that they deem a threat. Their bites can be painful due to their long, sharp teeth. They can also transmit diseases such as lymphocytic choriomeningitis, leptospirosis, hantavirus, and rabies, all of which need medical attention and may be severe.
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What are the signs of a gopher infestation?
There will likely be signs if gophers are burrowing around your property. We list these below so you can keep a look out for this pest.
Dirt mounds that appear fan-shaped or oval-shaped, depending on where the gopher is in the excavation process, are signs that a gopher is tunneling on your property.
Visual sightings of a gopher scouting food or digging tunnels are also a clear sign of infestation.
Damage to plants from the root indicates that a gopher is scavenging for food and succeeding.
Seeing one or more of these signs indicates that you might have a gopher problem; contact H&N Pest Control immediately if this is the case.
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How do I get rid of gophers for good?
To deter gophers, try implementing a few prevention steps:
Grow sage, thyme, and geraniums to keep gophers away; they hate the smell of these plants.
Use underground netting or screening in flowerbeds and vegetable gardens to prevent scavenging.
Consider using plant boxes to elevate vegetation and protect it from underground scavenging.
Place an in-ground fence around outdoor areas that goes down about one to two feet in the ground to make the space less hospitable to gophers.
If prevention tactics don't work, contact H&N Pest Control at the first signs of a gopher problem to benefit from the safe removal and professional eradication of gophers from your property.
