Regional & Seasonal Tips

When are gophers easiest to control?

Spring and fall often provide the best combination of moist soils (easy probing, active near surface) and predictable mound building; activity continues year‑round in irrigated landscapes.

How to get the best results:

• Trapping: Set traps in fresh tunnels near new mounds. Check frequently and reset as needed.
• Baiting: Place bait in fresh tunnels; use a probe or bait applicator to reach the main run. Avoid dry, compacted, or sandy soils.
• Barriers: Install before planting or when digging is easiest (spring/fall).

Soils & irrigation

Clay or moist soils make probing (and some professional fumigants) more effective; sandy or very dry soils can reduce fumigant performance and make tunnels collapse. (DIY fumigants not recommended; see Legal & Ethical.) Irrigation can encourage gopher activity year‑round but may also cause tunnels to collapse, so check for fresh mounds often.

Species & protection

Check for protected Mazama pocket gophers in parts of WA before any lethal control. See Legal & Ethical for details.