Gopher ControlGopher ControlDustin BlakeyDustin BlakeyCounty Extension Agent—AgricultureCounty Extension Agent—Agriculture

Sebastian CountySebastian County

Know your enemy Know your enemy (or: How to think like a varmint)(or: How to think like a varmint)

Fun factsFun facts

•Gopher bite: 18,000 P.S.I.Gopher bite: 18,000 P.S.I.•1 Gopher can move 2 ¼ tons 1 Gopher can move 2 ¼ tons

soil / yr.soil / yr.•Gophers can swimGophers can swim•Gophers do not hibernateGophers do not hibernate

Gophers vs. Moles:Gophers vs. Moles:

GOPHERSGOPHERS• Eats plantsEats plants• Big moundsBig mounds• RodentRodent• Digs thru soilDigs thru soil• Big yard Big yard

problemproblem

MOLESMOLES• Eats crittersEats critters• Tunnels mostlyTunnels mostly• Not rodentNot rodent• Swims thru soilSwims thru soil• Small yard Small yard

problemproblem

Wanna know more Wanna know more about moles?about moles?

Google:Google:

““FSA-9095”FSA-9095”

Gopher moundsGopher mounds

How to tell:How to tell:

GophersGophers MolesMoles

Ft. Smith Nat’l Hist. Site

PlugPlug

Gopher tunnel Gopher tunnel systemsystem

““Connect the Connect the Dots”Dots”

Gopher Gopher Control Control with with BaitsBaits

NOT LEGAL!

Trapping is best Trapping is best control!control!

Other TrapsOther Traps“Black Hole” “Victor”

Typical siteTypical site

StepsSteps

1.1. Locate newest moundLocate newest mound

2.2. Find / excavate tunnelFind / excavate tunnel

3.3. Place opening toward older Place opening toward older moundsmounds

4.4. Block all light except hole in Block all light except hole in traptrap

5.5. WaitWait

TunnelTunnel

How long do I wait?How long do I wait?

•Traps need period of quiet to Traps need period of quiet to workwork

•20 min. to 24 hr.20 min. to 24 hr.•Usually overnight is goodUsually overnight is good

Help! My trap’s Help! My trap’s filled with dirt!filled with dirt!•Light / air entered in a place Light / air entered in a place

other than the hole at the endother than the hole at the end

•Re-set and try again!Re-set and try again!

Happy Hunting!Happy Hunting!

QuestionQuestions?s?