Guide
Regional & Seasonal Tips
When to control, soil considerations, and protected species notes.
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.