Gophers are one of the most prevalent and destructive pests in the Pacific Northwest. These burrowing rodents can cause damage to lawns, crops, and irrigation systems with their burrowing and feeding. Gophers can live 3-5 years long and can produce 1-2 litters a year averaging 3-6 young per litter. Gophers are territorial and anti-social, and there are rarely more than one gopher in a nest at a time unless they are mating. Controlling gophers is important because of the damage that they can cause to lawns and fields if left unchecked.
Gophers are active all year long and can grow anywhere from 5 to 14 inches long. Most gopher births take place from March to June. Gophers travel through in ground tunnels and feed on the roots of any type of edible plants. In the winter months, when food is scarcer, they will feed on bark around the base of trees, damaging the trees and possible hampering growth.
The biggest evidence of gophers are their tunnels and resulting mounds. Their tunnels are usually 2 ½ to 3 ½ inches in diameter normally 6 inches below the surface. As they dig they push soil to the surface forming mounds that can be 12-18 inches wide and 4-6 inches high. These mounds can hurt the appearance of lawns rapidly due to the fact that they can form several mounds a day.
Gophers can be difficult to contain because although their tunnels are usually only 6 inches below the surface, their nests can be as deep as 6 ft. below the surface. Also it many rodents are protected by state guidelines, with different states having different regulations for dealing with gophers. Senske Pest Control has the experience and technology available to compliantly handle gophers safely and quickly. Contact us with any other questions or concerns having to do rodent control and gophers.
