You walk outside and notice a new pile of dirt in the lawn. A plant suddenly looks unhealthy. Maybe another mound appears a few days later.
Something is happening underground, but what is causing it?
Gophers are one possible culprit. Because they spend most of their time underground, identifying the problem usually starts with recognizing the signs they leave behind.
Here is how to determine whether gophers may be affecting your yard and what you can do next.
1. Do I Have a Pest Problem in My Yard?
Repeated changes to your lawn or garden are worth investigating.
Look for:
- Fresh piles or mounds of loose soil
- Plants that suddenly wilt or disappear
- Damage to roots or underground portions of plants
- Disturbed garden beds
- Damage around irrigation or sprinkler lines
- New mounds appearing repeatedly in the same area
Fresh activity is especially important. If new soil disturbances continue to appear, something is likely still actively digging.
2. What Is Causing the Damage?
Gophers are not the only animals that can leave signs around your yard. Moles, voles, and ground squirrels can create different types of damage.
Signs that point toward a gopher
A gopher becomes a stronger possibility when you see:
- Crescent or fan-shaped soil mounds
- A tunnel opening plugged with soil
- Damage to roots or underground plant material
- Plants wilting or disappearing
- Little or no above-ground activity
If instead you are seeing raised surface ridges and volcano-shaped mounds with very little plant damage, you may be dealing with a mole.
3. What Can I Do About a Gopher Problem?
Once you believe gophers are active in your yard, there are several ways to approach the problem.
Protect important plants
Underground barriers or wire baskets can help protect garden beds, young trees, shrubs, and other valuable plants by making it more difficult for gophers to reach their roots.
Trapping
Trapping is an established method of controlling active gophers. Traps are placed inside active underground tunnels and require locating the burrow system correctly.
This can be effective, but not every homeowner wants to use lethal control.
Poison baits
Poison baits are another traditional option. However, some homeowners prefer to avoid toxic products around children, pets, wildlife, or gardens.
Always follow product labels and local regulations when using pesticides or rodenticides.
Professional pest control
If activity is extensive, continues despite your efforts, or you cannot determine what animal is responsible, a pest-control or wildlife professional may be the best option.
Deterrence
Other homeowners simply want to make part of their property less attractive to burrowing pests without trapping or poisoning them.
That is where a deterrent-based approach may fit.
4. Use Stink Stake to Help Discourage Burrowing Pests
If you want to discourage burrowing pests without using traps or poison, Stink Stake offers a reusable, non-lethal option for areas such as lawns, gardens, flower beds, landscaping, play areas, and other outdoor spaces.
The stakes are placed in areas where burrowing activity has been identified and use Stink Grass material to create an odor intended to make the surrounding area less inviting to underground pests.
Using Stink Stake is a simple three-step process:
1. Find the problem area
Look for fresh mounds, tunnels, damaged vegetation, or other signs of active burrowing.
2. Place the Stink Stakes
Position the stakes around the area you want to protect according to the product instructions.
3. Refill as needed
Refresh the Stink Grass material to maintain the deterrent over time.
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