Sunday, September 9, 2018

How To Trap A Gopher Like A Professional

By Jason McDonald


A gopher is a type of rodent that is fur lined and mostly found underground. It stays underground rarely exposing itself on the surface. When underground, it digs tunnels as it looks for food. It can dig very many tunnels within a short period of time and completely destroy a garden or a well-manicured lawn. If you have encountered a gopher, you probably have seen the damage it can cause and you are now looking for a guide on how to trap a gopher. Read this article to give you ideas on how to deal with it.

The one thing that you have done right is detecting the gopher early enough. This means you have a better chance of trapping it before it digs too many tunnels. You have also reduced the overall damage it can cause before you can get rid of it. You will need to identify the main tunnel that it frequents so that you can set the trap there. This is the tunnel that most of the short tunnels connect to. Setting the trap in the main tunnel increases the success rate of the gopher.

One of the best ways to catch a gopher is the use of traps. There are several types of traps that are available in the market. The most common ones are the box traps. These are traps that are triggered when a gopher pushes against a trigger.

The box trap is easier to use and to set up. It is set in the main tunnel facing opposite directions. This enables it to intercept the gopher when it comes from either side. One thing that you should note about this trap is that it requires more excavation. It may not be your preference if the gopher is on your lawn.

After you set the trap, you will need to cover the tunnel and prevent light from entering it. You can use a soft material to cover and seal it properly using fine soil around the edges. The gopher may try to bury the trap with soil if it can see it.

Give yourself three days before you decide to check on the trap. This is ample time for the trap to be effective. If the gopher is not caught yet, you can set the trap on another point along the main tunnel. Sometimes the gopher can detect human scent on the trap and keep off.

Trapping a gopher is the most effective way of catching it and is also friendly. If one has other pets such as dogs and cats, baiting is not recommended. The bait is usually poisonous and is not advisable to be used as it can be exposed to children or other animals. Even though they are placed underground, some animals especially dogs are able to dig them out.

The best seasons to set the traps is during fall or spring. If your garden has only one or two gophers, you can successfully trap them and eliminate them on your own. However, if you are faced by a community of gophers, seek the services of a professional. Do not attempt to eliminate them on your own. A lot of experience and time is needed to remove such a colony from your property.




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