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Danville, CA (petman2@yahoo.com)

I killed 5 or more gophers in the patch last year and hopefully as a result, there are fewer to reproduce. So I am hoping my troubles go away or are significantly lessened in 2007.

Anyway, my question is, what attracts them to the plant/patch in the first place? Is it the new root growth that sends out a scent? I would really like to use alfalfa pellets at the stump and along the main, but I was worried that the scent or .... might attract more gophers. Does anyone know what specifically attracts them?

Last year I lost a large plant that was entirely taken down the hole so I will put down a limited barrier at the stump but wondered what brought them here in the first place.

I thought I posted this already but can't find it, if I did, sorry for the repost.

2/5/2007 3:40:46 PM

western PA

If gophers have the same mindset as groundhogs, than they know that they are unwanted in the patch. This is the reason they go into the patch.
I have been hunting groundhogs in hope to reduce thier populations in my hay fields. It has taken about 7-8 years of shooting 50 to 60 per year to finnaly see a reduction in population size.
This past year we saw about half as many as we would normally see and only got about 30 or so.
Now I am sad because there will be less fun this summer.

2/6/2007 7:54:00 AM

Montoursville, PA

Both can be live trapped as well. Some of us in surburbia either can not shoot or must be darn careful when we do. Smoke bombs work if all the doors to the den are blocked.

Two years ago I shot eleven on my surburban lot, smoked and closed three dens in the neighborhood off property after dark. Last summer I saw and shot only one. It is real tricky getting them under control. In many instances it is also against one law or another.

2/10/2007 11:52:15 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Years ago we sold a now illegal zinc phosphide powder that would be mixed with an appropriate bait. However unintended kills were too common so this practice is no longer recommended.

Traps are great for the diligent which we have no choice but to be anyway.

2/10/2007 4:00:23 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

They Network...have a command center and recruit insurgents from other lawns and gardens. You are creating a gopher paradise by planting a pumpkin patch on their turf. Light fluffy soil, yummy tender shoots and a plant that covers them from raptors above. They reproduce faster than rabbits. They have the ability to recognize the difference between a hoe and a pellet gun. They will drive you insane with their guerilla tactics. You will recognize that shrill whistle the bark out. If I find one of the little rodents holes I use the weed burner to gas him out then ignite it for a satisfying woof. 90 days until planting time...and the battle for the patch will be more deligent this year. Last year they beat us down...never again... If I have to chain a cat outside his den so be it.
P.S. Thanks for bringing back the horrors...I was just getting over them

2/12/2007 10:23:33 AM

western PA

here is how i get rid of the groundhogs if i cant shoot them.
a long piece of cut hose with a sock tied to the end. place the sock end as far down the hole as you can. now fill in the hole with dirt. fill in any other hole that might be connected. put a funnel on top of the hose and pour in 1 cup of chlorine bleach and then 1 cup of ammonia. make sure that the dirt around the hose is packed tight and pull the hose out. pack the hole left by the hose up. the sock will be left in the hole and be soaked with the chemicals. this will kill anything in the hole.
be careful as this chlorine gas (mustard gas)can be harmfull to you but, not is you do it outside.
NEVER PRE MIX THE CHEMICALS !!!!!!!!!

2/12/2007 12:31:15 PM

Danville, CA (petman2@yahoo.com)

These are all great methods. I like the Victor Black Box Trap myself as it has been 100% within 24 hours everytime. The unfortunate thing is that they often pillage and plunder extensively in their last 24 hours.

As far as "attracting" them then, it seems that the command center has the most credibility. I just wanted to be sure I wasn't doing anything to bring them. I saw my yard listed on Gopherosity.com as a great gopher vacation spot with lovely buffets but I have since had them remove the listing...LOL.

I was thinking of adding a castor oil treatment around the fence lines in fairly high concentrations as well in an attempt to exclude them followed by diligent and immediate trapping. For anyone who has not tried Victor's Black Box traps I HIGHLY recommend them. I have had 0% success with the Black Hole traps and I think it is due to the fact that the box has no bottom whereas the black hole is a tube of plastic. The only "failure" has been when the culprit is a mole, and then I flood them to the surface and we play the wonderful carnival game "Whack-a-Mole" in the backyard.

2/14/2007 11:02:47 AM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Castor Oil is ineffective for gophers...The Black Box trap is very effective. Gopherosity.com that could be my issue...Wisconsin's newest resort vacation and waterpark...with a free buffet. They must receive this information through the grape vines.

2/14/2007 4:07:43 PM

Simi valley, ca

Ihave been useing willco squrill bait !! Dam things ate a fortune worth of it, before they finely are under better control !!

2/15/2007 11:42:12 PM

Simi valley, ca

Also i put a 3 ft high plastis fence inside of plastic fence untill plant gets to big to be reasonable ,(aprox 10- 12 ft long ) And very important to keep moving my main vine protectors , they are a galv mesh quarter in, 3 x 4 ft & 2 ft tall , be carfull as plant could grow enough in 1 day to hit top or other side & snap off main

2/15/2007 11:48:39 PM