In this episode, Matt describes what it's like to deal with pocket gophers, a very frustrating varmint. Matt goes over some do-information technology-yourself methods for eliminating pocket gophers and speaks with gopher experts Jim Martell, who is the director of Coulee County Idaho's Weed and Pest Control Commission, and John Turpin the possessor of Idaho Gopher Command.

Eliminate Pocket Gophers - Pocket Gopher Emerging from Hole

What'southward the difference betwixt a pocket gopher and a ground squirrel?

You will almost never see a pocket gopher. Footing squirrels will stand outside of their holes and run around until you lot become close earlier running back into their pigsty If you accept pocket gophers, all yous will see is a big pile of dirt. The gopher volition always plug the opening to its tunnel. The just exception would be if you scared it before it could plug it but it will plug it once you are gone.

What do gophers feed on?

Roots. They will pluck vegetables from your garden and pull down flowers.

What are some do it yourself options to get rid of pocket gophers?

One choice is to discover the tunnel and place a smoke bomb into the tunnel. Brand sure to cover the hole used to find the tunnel so the smoke tin disperse into the tunnel. Smoke bombs are sometimes ineffective if the pocket gopher is deep in the tunnel and is able to tunnel to the surface to await information technology out. Carbon monoxide from a tail piping tin piece of work similarly to a smoke bomb only it has the same weakness. Toxicant pellet is another option where you accept the probe and pull the trigger of the probe to release the pellet. The aim is when the gopher returns to the mound that the poisonous substance is consumed. A downfall is that if the first time the poison pellet is used the gopher eats enough to be ill but not exterminated, it will place the pellet as a bad food source and never eat it once more. Traps are another option. A "gut clench trap" otherwise known equally a DK1 trap. Prepare the trap at the entrance and every branch you tin notice. Make sure to fasten it downwards into the footing. Other traps are available but the DK1 has been the virtually successful for Matt. Cats may also be successful catching ane or 2 likewise as using an owl box to attract owls to take intendance of the pocket gophers for you.

What if I would prefer someone else to practise information technology for me?

You can hire professionals to practise the any methods higher up. Other methods professionals have that you may non accept is fumigation with high pressure that will get the poisonous substance throughout the tunnel more than effectively. Another professional choice is to have a mixture of propane and oxygen pumped into the tunnel that is then triggered for combustion which destroys the tunnel entirely.