Gophers can be quite a pest around a residence. We have 3 main types in Eastern South Dakota: The "Flickertail", is the largest one we have. (I'm NOT including "Prairie Dogs" in this, although they're in the same family) The "Striped" gopher, is the smallest. The "Pocket Gopher" is right in the middle in size, but is different, and will be talked about separately.
The "Flickertail" and "Striped" gophers are generally seen in the daytime. When they set up a colony, their underground living chambers will have from 4 or 5, to as many as 12 openings that are spread out within usually a 500 to 1000 square foot area. These openings serve as work passageways, escape routes when they are in danger, and ventilation shafts allowing the flow of fresh air to their underground chambers. The dirt and sand that is pushed out of the holes during their construction, is banked up in a mound around the opening; providing them with a certain degree of flood protection during heavy rains. Some of the control methods for gophers include flooding out the tunnels with a garden hose, which just sends them into another neighborhood to set up shop. Small livetraps baited with seeds or nuts work OK, but take them well away from town to release them. Most farmers won't want you releasing them near their farms, either; so choose your release site well. Poison grains have some effect on them, but they often push some of the grain out of their holes during normal housekeeping chores, and they are devastating to the bird population. Poisons should ONLY be used by licensed individuals trained in their proper use, and NEVER placed above ground! Gophers can also be manually "snared" with some good cord string, tied in a weak slipknot, and placed against the sides of the tunnel walls about 1 to 2 inches below the top of the hole. You run the string back 30 or 40 feet, and when you see their head peek out, the loop will be around his body section. A quick but light tug on the string, and you have him. You don't want to use a loop that will be hard to loosen, because it will be hard to release the gopher into your waiting container. A loop, dropped through another loop (Much like a choker for a dog) is the best way. If you need help learning how to do this, give me a call.
Pocket Gophers are a completely different type of gopher. They are nocturnal, and rarely seen above ground. They have a massive series of tunnels, and will just plug up the one they're in if you try to "flood" them out. If you (suddenly) find yourself with this type of gopher in your yard, the signs will usually be the over- night appearance of large, black mounds of dirt. They will usually be in or near a garden area, a fenceline, or site of any recent digging or excavating work. They tunnel around underground feeding off the roots of a variety of plants, and are quite content to never see the light of day. They have short, stubby tails, and long, curved claws used for digging. I don't like to recommend poisons for ANYTHING, but that IS one of the best methods for ridding your yard of this type of gopher. There are a few types of "body-grab" traps that are effective, as well; but they're time consuming, and not high on the list of "Humane Animal Control" methods. See me for more info. on these traps and methods. Pocket gophers are notorious for eating into insulation around wires, and often disrupt phone, cable, and even power services to people. Once again please remember, poisons should ONLY be used by licensed individuals trained in their use, and NEVER above ground!
