In this region, various types of wildlife exist in natural, outdoor settings, which may include residential areas. Often, these creatures pose health risks to people and pets and they might also create costly property damage. Among the most problematic forms of wildlife that plague homeowners in this region include raccoons, skunks, groundhogs, and gophers.
Who provides gopher control services near you? Boogeyman Wildlife Control is an experienced provider of Holt pest control solutions. As one of the leading gopher pest control companies in this region, we understand the best gopher control methods that will safely expel these unwanted creatures from the premises.
Signs Of Gophers
What are some of the most common signs that indicate a need for professional gopher pest control services?
Property owners should familiarize themselves with the appearance of pocket gophers. These rodents appear brownish, measure between 5 and 14 inches long, and have small eyes and ears. Although pocket gophers are generally solitary creatures, they breed during the spring and summer months. The newborn gophers remain with their mothers in underground nests for several weeks.
Aside from seeing live gophers, homeowners might notice signs including:
- Mounds of extracted dirt will appear in yard areas
- Damage to various types of plants that they eat
- Other creatures that prey on gophers such as dogs, cats, foxes, or hawks might hover at the entrances to gopher tunnels
Pocket gophers are often misidentified as moles (and vice versa). Moles have very small teeth, while gophers have overgrown teeth that extend outside the mouth. Also, the tunnels that gophers create are typically well below the surface, while the tunnels formed by moles are commonly visible on the surface.
Gophers Can Damage Your Lawn And Garden
Gophers have teeth that are good for grinding up types of plant material and vegetation including flattened molars and premolars. In some cases, gophers will feed on above-ground vegetation; yet, they generally feed from the base. When they feed on root systems below the ground, the plants often become visibly weak and discolored.
As they tunnel below the surface, gophers might create damage to utility cables or pipes. In rare cases, gopher tunnels weaken the earth below small above-ground structures that could collapse.
The presence of gophers might also attract badgers, which are another troublesome form of wildlife. As with most forms of wildlife, gophers may carry harmful parasites that pose health risks
The Best Way To Get Rid Of Gophers In Your Garden
Implementing exclusionary measures, which physically prevent entry, is typically effective against gophers. Install a durable fence composed of metal mesh or a similar material. First, install above-ground fencing that prevents access to the garden from the surface. Next, dig a trench around the garden and install the fencing below-ground.
For those planting trees, consider using a 15-gallon “gopher basket” to limit access. Many of these basket materials naturally break down in a couple of years.
Some research suggests that some natural materials will repel gophers. Some examples include castor oil, peppermint oil, or Tabasco sauce.
Simple Tips To Prevent Gophers From Coming Back
Too many local property owners try to take matters into their own hands by purchasing traps and other mass-marketed gopher control devices that are sold in home improvement stores. Many of these store-bought products are cleverly marketed using exaggerated claims such as representing a “quick and easy” solution for unwanted forms of wildlife. In reality, most of these options prove ineffective.
Boogeyman Wildlife Control has years of experience safely and efficiently assisting homeowners with home pest control in the Eaton Rapids region. Our staff is properly equipped for getting the job done. Contact our office today for further details.
Boogeyman Wildlife Control LLC
Eaton Rapids, MI 48827