Gophers spend much of their time underground in the extensive tunnel systems they create around your home and property, causing damage to dirt banks and structural foundations. While working, gophers will gnaw through utility lines, cables, and irrigation systems. They like to eat the roots of plants and trees, causing them to die. Many dig tunnels that lead directly to your garden, where gophers will steal your crops.
Gophers carry diseases that can be transmitted to humans, so it is crucial to call for professional help when removing them from your property. They also have powerful jaws and claws, which can cause great harm. Call the expert at Critter Control as soon as you see signs of gopher damage. They ensure the safe and humane removal of all nuisance wildlife.
Yard Damage
Gophers are incredibly destructive in your yard, as their behavior targets your plants and soil. The first signs of gopher yard damage are the dirt mounds they make all over your yard. Each mound represents a tunnel entry. They dig one to three mounds per day, on average 70 per month, and they can excavate hundreds of feet of tunnels underground. Gopher damage to your yard may also include killing vegetation, like green and succulent plants. They will either chew on them above ground or use their tunnels to pull plants and roots out from below.
Garden Damage
Gophers destroy your garden and ruin your trees and vines by feeding on the crowns and roots, killing young plants and hindering the growth of older ones. Gophers and their damage can be deceiving since they can eat from underground. Your trees and vines may not show evidence of a problem until it’s too late to save them. Gopher damage may also include destroying your utility cables, sprinkler systems, and natural irrigation and drainage under your house.
Contact Critter Control at the first sign of gopher lawn damage to avoid these issues.
Gophers vs. Moles
While gopher vs. mole damage is similar, these creatures differ in other ways, such as in appearance. Both are members of the rodent family, but you can tell them apart by the following traits:
- Gophers are usually about 14 inches long, while moles grow to 7 inches.
- Gopher fur is brown or shades of brown, while a mole’s fur has multiple colors, like brown, black, and gray.
- Gophers have long claws, and moles have pink paws that resemble paddles.
- Gophers’ eyes and ears are visible, but a mole’s eyes and ears are hidden behind fur.
Gophers and moles have long claws, pointy noses, and beady eyes. You may mistake them for oversized rats. However, they can create more yard damage than other rodents.
Holes and Mounds
Other than appearance, you can tell the difference between gophers and moles by the holes and mounds they create in your yard. You may see a gopher popping out of the holes in your yard, but it is rare to see a mole. Gopher mounds are larger than mole mounds, and they differ in shape. Gopher mounds tend to be flat, crescent, or horseshoe-shaped, with the holes slightly on the side of the mound. Moles create small holes that look like cones, similar to a tiny volcano, with the plug in the center of the mound.
You will likely see gopher and mole damage in the spring and fall. They prefer moist soil, which is prevalent during these times. They are also typically active at dusk and dawn.
Mole Damage vs Gopher Damage
Aside from the holes and mounds rodents create, gophers and moles damage your yard in other ways. Both create tunnel systems underground, but a mole’s tunnels are much more extensive than a gopher’s. They can tunnel up to one foot per minute.
Moles separate the roots of plants, trees, and shrubs from underground. Gophers mostly eat the roots and tubes at the surface level. Gophers and moles can damage structures, pathways, and landscaping from beneath the ground. Mole tunnels, however, may affect backyard pools, sidewalks, and patios. Gophers will gnaw and ruin sprinkler systems, utility cables, and underground dog boundary systems.
A gopher hole is dangerous for unsuspecting people or pets who step into it. They are also known to erode the soil in your yard. Mole holes can go undetected by humans and cover more areas.
Exclusion and Prevention
If you don’t have a gopher problem, now is a great time to prioritize prevention. Exclusion methods prevent gopher yard damage and keep them from returning to your property once removed. Effective exclusion methods include:
- Protect garden plants with wire fencing or baskets.
- Install underground fencing around gardens, plants, and shrubs.
- Wrap plastic netting around the roots of trees and plants.
- Grow plants in container pots or raised beds lined with mesh or wire.
- Lay down landscaping fabric when planting.
- Surround underground cables and pipes with gravel.
- Grow plants and shrubs that gophers hate, like rosemary, lavender, and oleander.
Wildlife control experts offer free inspections to help you determine the exclusion and prevention methods that will work best in your yard. They can also safely and humanely remove any gophers already living on your property.
Call Critter Control for Gopher Removal
Since gophers can cause so much underground damage, such as gopher lawn damage, that you cannot always see, it is best to call for professional help to remove them. Critter Control technicians have the knowledge and training to quickly and humanely remove gophers while keeping you and your family safe.
Visit the Critter Control locator map to find the nearest office, or contact them using their secure contact form.
Get them out.
Keep them out.®
Experiencing a wildlife or pest issue? We can help! Complete this form and your local Critter Control® office will contact you to assist.
