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Date Posted

Danville, CA (petman2@yahoo.com)

I have now trapped two and just lost one of my 802 La Rue's (the entire plant) to a gopher. Pics in my diary. Is trapping the only way to rid myself of them. Did not think I needed wire mesh when I planted and now is too late. Does repellent work?

Also, I know I am late and not sure where to post this as I am a newbie and "late" in the season, but if anyone has a seed or two from good parents that they wouldn't mind parting with, could ya send to me? I can send bubble or a whatever, but with my gopher situation, I want to start a couple more large pumpkins to replace anything that goes. I am going to use wire mesh for anything new to ensure anyones seed is not going to waste. I think if I plant now, I can still get to good size plant and flower by early July. Thanks and you can email me at petman2@yahoo.com if ya can help a guy out. Thanks again.

6/1/2006 11:23:03 PM

Mocksville, NC

I lived in Ca for 21 years, they make a flare thing that you just spark the end, and put down the hole, and bury the hole up they work ive done it.There made for gofers, and far as seeds, i do have a seedling that is one bad to the bone big pumpkin machine. I could overnight it to you if you want will save you alot of time. and i have seeds of your choice. the seedling is 723x1260.4 Weir. Just let me know, No cost to you! Roger

6/2/2006 7:07:43 AM

Farmville, Virginia (mfowler@hsc.edu)

Have you located the den? If they are anything like groundhogs you can leave the carcass of one in the hole and the rest will move out. I used to hunt groundhogs regularly and I know this for a fact. Depending on how close the den is to your patch (or home) this is not as desirable a solution as Rogers but it is a thought.

6/2/2006 8:56:42 AM

Farmville, Virginia (mfowler@hsc.edu)

Also, I know people here who have used the same tactic on groundhogs that Roger is talking about and he is exactly right, it works!

6/2/2006 9:05:23 AM

Danville, CA (petman2@yahoo.com)

They have the flares at my Home Depot. I did it in the front yard and it sort of worked or at least temporarily and therefore I thought it wasn't as effective. Based on replies above, I will try again.

What I did that seemed to work well was put the a flare or two down a main hole and then put my shop vac on "blow" and forced the smoke down the tunnels. At one point it looked like my front lawn was on fire as smoke seeped through the tunnels. I had read of this technique to ensure the smoke actually got to the gophers. Will try this again, but had also heard that the gopher can plug a hole quick and therefore was less than effective. Thanks again and I will post back with results.

6/2/2006 9:20:33 AM

Danville, CA (petman2@yahoo.com)

PS - Just got back inside from the patch and did indeed trap a very large gopher. Reset the trap and hoping for another (actually hoping against but...) If nothing in trap by noon, will start the flares. Hopefully will catch them asleep and unaware.

Does the smoke have residual or hurt pumpkins?

6/2/2006 9:23:23 AM

Cottage Grove, MN

http://www.rodenator.com

;-)

6/2/2006 11:16:11 AM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

The smoke is a sulphur..It does produce a lot of heat.

6/2/2006 11:43:35 AM

Mocksville, NC

The Smoke is sulfur ,and arsnec so dont breath it ok.
the e-mail i sent ya sorry i cant send the seedling its my wifes now shes still mad, but seeds on the way! Roger.

6/2/2006 1:59:14 PM

San Jose garysand@pacbell.net

if you have any plants left, dig a trench, away from the plant, lets say 5', dig maybe 2' deep, and put some wire mesh in there and bury, i dont think gophers dig too deep, should keep them away from the plant. I am in San Jose, maybe we could get together later this year, for a patch tour

Gary

6/2/2006 9:44:41 PM

Danville, CA (petman2@yahoo.com)

Ok, so I have trapped 3 in total and they all went off without a hitch. Mound, dig, set, voila the next morning he was gone. Now I apparently have a "smart" gopher which has sprung the "Victor Black Box" trap twice now. I see no activity and only know he is there as he has sprung the traps and plugged the holes. Unfortunately I only get one chance a day at this bugger and that is overnight. I can get up at 5 am and reset but still no activity until the next night.

Anyway, one guy told me to put road flares down the holes (similar to the gasser but BIGGER) but I don't want to damage the soil for future plantings. I am aware of the harmfull effects if inhaled and such, but I am also aware of the harmfull effects of a gopher. I am going to continue to try and trap for a few more days but wondered if anyone had any other tips. Is there a food/attractant they like other than my AGs? This black box had gone 4-0 (one at my dad's) on a next day catch until this bugger. Any help is appreciated.

6/5/2006 1:07:48 PM

Danville, CA (petman2@yahoo.com)

I know I am posting again and again to my own thread but I caught two more gophers today. That makes 5, 4 adults and one junior. I thought these dang things were supposed to be solitary. These were all caught in an area of about 5,000 sf. Should I expect more and more and more? I think I have read just about everything on the web about them.

6/8/2006 1:23:58 AM