Glenn Sulzberg

Pocket Gopher

Burrowing rodent – get their name from the fur-lined, external cheek pouches, or pockets, they use for carrying food and nesting materials

Very prevalent in the western 2/3 of the US5 species found in California – most

prevalent Thomomys bottaeRange from 5 to 14 inches in lengthForepaws are large-clawedLarge incisors used for digging and

burrowing

Pocket Gopher Overview

Birth rates and breedingGestation 18 daysUp to 4 litters a year depending weather conditions3 to 4 pups on average per litter can be as high as

12Average life span 1 to 3 yearsYoung born blind and helpless weaned around 40

daysLifestyle

Usually inhabit their own tunnel systemThey are solitary outside of breeding season

Pocket Gopher Lifecycle

Damage to propertyBurrow systems loosen soil can create erosion issuesMounds can interfere or damage equipmentRuin aesthetics of the siteDamage to sprinkler infrastructure

Damage to plants3 ways they feed on plants

1. feed on roots2. feed above ground on vegetation3. pull plants into the burrow

Grapevines are damaged when gophers chew on roots or bark below the soil line. Vines damaged in this way will look water stressed or will die as

a result of girdling

Pocket Gopher Damage

Pocket Gopher Damage - Pictures

Monitoring for signs and symptoms of Gophers should be done every time anyone enters the vineyard.With potential 4 generations a year and 3 to 4

per litter monitoring is essentialMany different types of controls availableNeed to assess cost benefit based on the

controls chosenNeed to assess labor required for each type

of control

Pocket Gopher Monitoring & Management

Biological ControlThe gopher has a number predators that can be

used to control them: snakes, hawks, owls, skunks & coyote (effective)Environmentally friendly alternative for gopher controlServices for hire that can bring hawks or snakes to

your locationNot that effective when there is an established gopher

populationGophers are underground most of the time so can be

difficult for the predator to captureIf you don’t already have the predator at your site you

need to bring them in

Pocket Gopher Management

Chemical Control options-Fumigation – aluminum phosphide (very effective)

Very effective when soils are moistRequires certification and license to apply

Poison – zinc phosphide, strychnine, anticoagulant baits (very effective)Can be very effective when baited properlyDangerous to other animals or humans

Fumigation – road flares or car exhaust (marginally effective)Not legal in California, not very effective in large areas or

large established populationsFumigation – gasser sulphur sticks (marginally effective)

Effective for a small area. The gophers can block the burrows blocking the gas

Pocket Gopher Management

Mechanical & Physical ControlsTraps (very effective)

Different types of traps, can be very effective if used properly. Very effective when paired with fumigation.

Burrow Flooding (marginally effective)Forces them out of their burrows or traps and kills

them. Can cause erosion and also if they are able to escape they can re-establish

Rodinator (marginally effective)Destroys burrows and kills gophers. Not as

effective when there are large populations. Can be dangerous.

Vibrating stakes or sonic stakes (not effective)Not very effective, gophers get desensitized to

them. Can be expensive for large areas and establish populations.

Pocket Gopher Management

Cultural ControlRemoval of plant materials removes habitat

and food sources (marginally effective on its own)Removes protection from predatorsCan help contain in certain areas but won’t rid you

of existing populationsLow cost method for controlCan lead to more effective use of other controls in

conjunction with this control.

Pocket Gopher Management

Use multiple controls if possibleDo not wait to treat once signs or symptoms

appear, with up to four birth cycles a year populations can grow rapidly.

Monitor your site on a scheduleTrack any activity and their locationsBe diligent, be diligent, be diligent

Pocket Gopher Recommendations