A gopher in yard in Albuquerque | Pest Defense Solutions

For homeowners in Albuquerque, NM who take pride in their lush green lawns and vibrant gardens, the presence of gophers can quickly turn from a minor annoyance into a major headache. These industrious rodents can wreak havoc on your outdoor spaces, causing damage to plants, irrigation systems, and utility lines, and even posing a tripping hazard with their burrows. There are a few well-known eradication methods like poison and gas, but their effectiveness comes at the expense of our ecosystem. For those seeking to address this issue with compassion and ethical consideration, the professionals at Pest Defense Solutions are here to provide effective and humane wildlife removal methods.

Identifying A Gopher Infestation

Identifying a gopher infestation early on is crucial to prevent extensive damage. Here’s what to look out for, if you suspect you may have these unwelcome rodents on your property:

Mounded soil: Gophers create mounds of dirt as they dig their tunnels.
Unexplained plant damage: Voracious plant eaters, gophers prefer to feast on plant roots so keep an eye out for gnaw marks on the lower parts of your plants or trees.
Visible Holes: Gophers are complex and systemic diggers. You may notice raised pathways across your lawn, accompanied by holes in a straight line.
Gnaw marks on utility lines and PVC pipes: A less obvious sign of gophers, but they are known to chew on utility lines, PVC pipes, water lines, and irrigation systems.

If you come across any of these signs, don’t hesitate to contact the professionals at Pest Defense Solutions for humane wildlife removal.

Most Common Non-lethal Gopher Management Techniques

Dealing with a gopher infestation in your yard doesn’t have to involve harmful chemicals or lethal traps. Non-lethal gopher removal methods offer effective solutions while prioritizing the well-being of these rodents and the ecosystem. A few non-lethal wildlife removal techniques are:

Live Traps: Designed specifically to capture gophers for relocation. Wildlife can be aggressive, so we recommend leaving this option to the professionals.
Ultrasonic Repellents: These devices emit high-frequency sounds or vibrations that are unpleasant for gophers, and can be inserted into the ground near their burrows.
Castor Oil: Safe for your plants and the environment, gophers hate the taste of castor oil. It can be purchased in granules that you’ll spread in areas you seek to prevent or push gophers out of your yard. Be sure to water afterward, so the oil spreads down into the soil.
Gopher Mesh: Highly effective at preventing gophers from burrowing into your garden beds while allowing water and nutrients to pass through. Gopher mesh needs to be installed at least one foot deep, and stick up above ground a few inches, to be properly effective.
Gopher Baskets: If you have a landscape you need to regularly dig, gopher baskets are a gopher mesh alternative that works great for rose bushes, succulents, fruit trees, and vegetable gardens.

Plant Selection: Plant a protective border of lavender, rosemary, or salvia around the landscape you seek to protect from gopher activity. Paired with garlic stakes, this natural gopher repellent is quite effective and doubles as a bonus repellent for many other unwanted garden pests.

Professional Help with Heart

The team of highly trained professionals at Pest Defense Solutions has been dedicated to ethical and effective pest control for nearly 15 years. If you suspect you may be dealing with a gopher infestation, you can count on Pest Defense Solutions to safely and humanely care for your home as if it’s our own. Give us a call today for a free estimate!