Signs & Damage

How to read the signs

• Fresh mounds (moist, loose soil) = active tunnels nearby. One gopher can create several mounds per day.
• Mounds cluster over main tunnels that run 6–12 inches deep; openings are usually plugged to keep light and air out.

Typical damage

• Landscape: dead/wilted plants from root feeding, irrigation line chewing, and unsightly mounds.
• Agriculture: yield loss in alfalfa/orchards, buried plants, diverted irrigation water, equipment wear.
• Structures: foundation damage from soil heaving, burrow collapse under slabs, and increased erosion.

Seasonality

• In non‑irrigated settings, activity peaks in cool, moist months.
• In irrigated landscapes, expect activity year‑round.
• Gophers may dig deeper in summer to reach moist soil.