Help With Gopher Problems

Mounds in the yard? Let's find out what's digging

Fan-shaped mounds, wilting plants or chewed drip lines? Tell us what you've noticed and ask about help or a quote.

A few details help: where you see gophers, when they appear, and how long it has been going on.

Open the quote form Call +1 888 546 7983

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By submitting your information, you agree to be contacted regarding home improvement information, using email, telephone or text - including the use of autodialed and/or prerecorded calls or messages to the telephone number provided above, including your wireless number, if provided. I understand that consent is not a condition of purchase.I agree that Gopher Exterminator may share my request with the local service partner that handles work in my area so they can contact me about it. Sending a request does not book an appointment.

Explore gopher control services

Garden border, leaf litter and outdoor water tap inspection setting

Gopher Trapping

Traps set in the main tunnel near fresh mounds and checked until the digging stops.

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Blank inspection checklist, floor plan and inspection tools

Baiting

Labeled baits placed deep in tunnels where they're allowed and safe for the property.

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Service estimate and notebook on a table

Wire Barriers

Hardware cloth under raised beds and wire baskets around tree roots and bulbs.

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Soil mounds and raised turf ridges in a residential lawn

Lawn & Garden Repair

Flattening mounds, filling tunnels and reseeding once the digging has stopped.

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Why do gophers keep coming back?

Pocket gophers eat roots, bulbs and young plants from below, and push up fan-shaped mounds as they dig. A yard usually has just one or two, since each lives alone in its own tunnel system. They're most active in spring and fall, when the soil is moist.

Gophers live in the West, the Great Plains and parts of the Midwest and Deep South. In much of the East, the digging is really moles, voles or chipmunks, and they need different fixes. Getting the ID right first saves money.

Below you'll find how to tell the diggers apart, how traps are set, how to protect beds and trees, and what gopher control usually costs.

Gopher damage at the base of a garden plant

What kind of gopher problem are you seeing?

Fan-shaped mounds

Gopher mounds are lopsided, with a plugged hole on one side. Round, volcano-like mounds are usually moles.

Plants that disappear

Gophers pull plants down from below. A wilting plant that lifts out with no roots is a classic sign.

Chewed drip lines

Wet spots or weak sprinklers in spring can mean gophers chewed through the tubing.

What should you ask before booking?

Ask what the visit includes, how much it costs, and whether a follow-up is included. It’s also helpful to know what you’ll need to do before treatment and when you can use the area again.

Have children or pets at home? Mention them when discussing treatment. For a business, let the company know your opening hours so you can talk about a convenient time to visit.

How gopher activity changes through the year

Spring: Peak digging as the soil warms and stays moist. The best time to trap.
Summer: Heat and dry soil push them deeper. Fewer fresh mounds.
Fall: A second peak before winter. Protect new plantings.
Winter: Frozen ground slows surface work in the North; mild areas see digging year-round.

Keep exploring your options

Gopher Trapping — Traps set in the main tunnel, checked and reset until fresh mounds stop.
Baiting Programs — Review label, legal, non-target, and site-suitability questions before discussing bait with a provider.
Exclusion Barriers — Compare mesh size, depth, drainage, root space, access, and maintenance for selected beds or plants.
Lawn & Garden Restoration — Document confirmed damage and compare repair scope after active burrowing and utility locations are assessed.
Contact and quote request — ask a question or request a quote.

Common questions about gopher control

Gopher or mole?

Gopher mounds are fan-shaped with a plugged hole to one side. Mole mounds are round, like little volcanoes.

How many gophers are in my yard?

Usually one or two. Each lives alone in its own tunnels.

Do sonic stakes or repellents work?

Not reliably. Traps in the main tunnel work best.

How do I protect my garden?

Line raised beds with hardware cloth and plant trees in wire root baskets.

Do gophers live everywhere?

No. They're found in the West, the Plains and parts of the Midwest and Deep South. In much of the East, it's moles or voles.

What does gopher control cost?

Many jobs cost a few hundred dollars. Large properties and ongoing plans cost more.

📚 More help with gopher questions

Explore these guides to learn more about gophers and treatment options.

UC IPM — Pocket Gophersipm.ucanr.edu

UC Integrated Pest Management covers pocket-gopher identification, damage, monitoring, trapping, barriers, and pesticide precautions.

Utah State University Extension — Pocket Gophersextension.usu.edu

USU Extension describes pocket-gopher field signs, burrow systems, damage, and management considerations.

USDA — Wildlife Servicesusda.gov

USDA Wildlife Services provides research-based guidance on humane wildlife management.

EPA — Pesticide Safety & Regulationepa.gov

The EPA regulates pesticide registration, safety standards, and application requirements for professional pest control products.

The CDC provides authoritative information on vector-borne and pest-related diseases, including prevention guidance.

Ready to ask about your gopher problem?

Tell us what you’ve noticed and ask about an inspection or a quote. You decide whether to book after speaking with a company.

Go to contact Call +1 888 546 7983