Methods That Don’t Live Up to the Hype

Research reviews consistently report poor performance for:

• Ultrasonic/vibrating stakes and wind gadgets.
• Castor‑oil and other “natural” repellents; “gopher‑repellent” plants.
• Smoke bombs and most gas cartridges (gophers quickly plug tunnels).
• Flooding (gophers can hold their breath for 15+ minutes and often escape).
• Predator urine (little evidence of effectiveness).
• Surface poison baits (gophers rarely come to the surface).
• Trapping with leghold traps (inhumane, low success rates).
• Glue boards (inhumane, unreliable, and not recommended for gophers).
• Shooting (difficult and unsafe in most settings).

Bottom line: Invest in trapping and barriers instead.