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Pocket gophers and ground squirrels are pest and create serious problems in the landscape. Managing them is an art all into itself. There are traps,cages,pesticides,polymers, and various other 'control' methods that are being used to control and/or eliminate the furry visitors on a long term basis.
I have found a couple control methods that have proved quite effective and human friendly. The first control product I highly recommend is a food grade polymer called 'Gopher Goo' that when poured into a gopher or squirrel hole and hydrated with water, will in turn swell up to at least 4 times it's size inside the hole and fill the opening and create a long term ' barrier plug' that seems to force the gophers to move on from our job sites. The polymer also contains a small addition of organic compost that helps in the rebuilding process of the damaged roots. The polymer will last up to 2-3 years in the soil before it breaks down naturally , There is no toxic ingredients inside this product so it is extremely safe to use around children and pets. The polymer creates a sticky goo all over the pelt of the pest and this creates a big problem for them as the pelt needs to be smooth so that they can move through the holes and tunnels in the ground. The pest are forced to move on from the site since they despise getting the goo on their pelts and we end up managing the pest off our job sites. You can learn more about Gopher Goo at www.gophergoo.com. The next pest management product that I have had really great success with is a cage device called a squirrllnator. ( www.squirrelinator.com) This cage has two openings on two sides of the cage and a cage door on top to take out dead squirrels or release them elsewhere if you choose to do so. I have found the best 'Bait' for the squirrel is orange pieces,sunflower seed, and mixed nuts. This mixture of goodies seem to attract the squirrels into the cage and once they are in there the door they entered is a one way access. they cannot get out once they enter. This cage is a lot better than using poison baits and seems to work fast and efficiently and by using one or both of these management tools in your quest to rid your site of pocket gophers and squirrels, I am sure you will have great success.
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Pocket Gophers are a unique landscape pest. They love to search out areas that have available grubs, plant and tree roots, and other insect goodies in lawns and bedding areas. They are easy to spot by their signature pile of freshly extracted soil that shows up on your property. There are various methods of control or management that can be used but, I remember in my pest management course over at U.C. Riverside, you really do not get rid of pocket gophers, you actually "manage" them. That means you incorporate methods of control that will force the little furry vandals to seek out their meals else where. Traps have always proved effective but, setting and placing the traps plus, getting rid of the dead gophers creates a sometimes queezy or undesirable situation for the home or business owner. Poison baits are effect but pose a problem with the safe use of the poison around children and pets. Water hose flooding is wasteful and not that effective due to the fact the gophers will just scat and come back after the flood is over. I have discovered an effective method of "Managing" pocket gophers that is safe around pets and children. This product contains no poison and is very eco-friendly. "Gopher Goo" is made from a natural polymer similar to the types used in baby diapers. The product also has an peppermint type of additive that the gophers are not to fond of.
The Gopher Goo is mixed into solution with water and poured into the gopher hole. Once the gopher gets the product on it's pelt, it is determined and forced to come out of the burrow and attempt to rid the goo off of it's body. At that time, the gopher()s) can be captured and disposed of in what ever way you feel comfortable. Gopher's move through the tunnels with the use of their furry pelt and with the goo on their body, this just messes up their travel through the tunnels. The natural extract also forces the gopher to find another place to want to hang out as they do not enjoy the scent of the extract. Lastly, the food based polymer fills the gopher tunnel and produces a blockage so that gopher cannot return to the tunnel. The polymer also acts as a mini "Hydroponic Zone" for the damaged root system that the furry invader has been munching on and helps the plant recover from it's damage from the gopher. Check out the web site www.gophergoo.com to learn more about this amazing product and rid your property today of your uninvited furry guest. |
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