Gophers
How To Identify A Gopher Infestation
How To Identify A Gopher InfestationAppearance - Gophers weigh around 0.5 lb, and are about 6–8 inches in body length, with a tail 1–2 in long. Most gophers have brown fur that often closely matches the color of the soil in which they live. Their most characteristic features are their large cheek pouches, from which the word "pocket" in their name derives. Gophers have small eyes and a short, hairy tail, which they use to feel around tunnels when they walk backwards.
Behavior - Pocket gophers create a network of tunnel systems that provide protection and a means of collecting food. Gophers do not live in large communities and seldom find themselves above ground. Tunnel entrances look like small piles of loose soil covering the opening. Their burrows are found in many areas where the soil is softer and easily tunneled. They often appear in vegetable gardens, lawns, and farms, as gophers like moist soil. This has led to their frequent treatment as pests.
Pocket gophers are solitary outside of the breeding season. They aggressively maintain territories that vary in size depending on the resources available. Males and females share some burrows and nesting chambers if their territories border each other, but, generally, each pocket gopher inhabits its own tunnel system.
Depending on the species and local conditions, pocket gophers may have a specific annual breeding season. They may breed repeatedly through the year as well. Each litter typically consists of two to five young. The young are born blind and helpless, and are weaned around 40 days old.
Why You Might Have Gophers
Gophers like loose, moist soil. Gophers eat plant roots, shrubs, and other vegetables such as carrots, lettuce, radishes, and any other vegetables with juice. If you have a large yard with this type of soil, then you are more likely to have a Gopher problem.
Reasons To Treat Your Gopher Problem Immediately
Gophers should be removed as soon as a problem is evident since they can cause severe damage. Damage to your yard and gardens can end up being costly. Plus, Gopher tunnels compromise the sturdiness of the ground below you and your property. The tunnels lead to unsafe conditions for you and your family.
When threatened, they may attack other animals, including cats and humans, and inflict serious bites with their long, sharp teeth. Pocket gophers often carry external parasites as well.
Although Gophers are not protected by any law, they are tough to trap and remove due to their elusive nature and underground tunneling.
Gopher removal is a complex task. Trapping and other Gopher removal tactics are often effective. However, they depend on the placement of the Gopher traps. A qualified local wildlife removal professional can handle you gopher removal. Local professionals are familiar with the habits and know the most efficient way to go about trapping and removing them.
Call us today for Gopher control, so you and your family can rest assured your home will be safe.