What are gophers?
Gophers are rodents with compact bodies, small ears and eyes, a short snout, and a useless tail. They have powerful, short front legs, and claws they use to dig tunnels through the ground. Brown fur covers their bodies, and their underbellies have a lighter-colored coat. A unique feature of gophers is their fur-lined external cheek pouches they use to carry the food they collect.
Gophers are landscaping pests that are difficult to deter, and even harder to get rid of. When these furry creatures live outside and away from our homes, they are helpful and eco-important. As these burrowing pests tunnel through the ground, they help to mix and aerate the soil. They also act as prey animals for owls and other predators.
Are gophers dangerous?
Gophers are dangerous to people and property for a number of reasons:
- The gopher’s feeding habits cause a lot of damage to the lawns and landscapes they invade.
- As gophers tunnel through the ground, they feed on the roots of grasses, trees, and plants causing significant damage.
- A gopher’s tunnel may extend under driveways, cement slabs, and foundations, causing structural damage.
- Gopher tunnels may also cross and damage wires, cables, and pipes.
- As gophers tunnel, they loosen the soil to the surface of the ground creating unsightly tunnels across lawns.
- At their entrance and exit holes, there are horseshoe mounds of dirt that the gophers have pushed out. These dirt mounds cause trip and fall accidents and make mowing a problem.
Why do I have a gopher problem?
Gophers are outdoor pests that do not hibernate and are active year-round, which increases the chance of them finding their way onto your property. Preventing problems with gophers is tricky because they are attracted to yards and other outdoor spaces that have moist, loose soil and healthy grass. They also love to feed on things like dandelions and alfalfa.
Where will I find gophers?
Gophers are most active during the spring and fall. They often become problematic on properties near fields, parks, and golf courses. They also like lawns with irrigation systems that provide them with lots of moist dirt to dig through.
Gophers are outdoor pests that spend their lives digging through the ground. Their burrowing systems range from four to twelve inches under the ground and may contain hundreds of tunnels. When the weather gets colder, gophers will tunnel deep into the ground below the frost line.
How do I get rid of gophers?
You should leave the task of eliminating gophers from your Oklahoma property to professionals. At Thunder Pest Control, we have 50 years of combined pest control experience. We know pests and how to eliminate them from properties once and for all!
We guarantee our results and take pride in treating our customers like family. We are a local company dedicated to using only the most efficient, cutting-edge services possible. If you are looking for exceptional pest solutions for your Oklahoma City area home or business, contact the pest professionals at Thunder Pest Control today!
How can I prevent gophers in the future?
In addition to our professional pest control services, take the time necessary to implement these easy-to-execute prevention tips:
- Protect garden areas by burying fencing at least 18 inches underground.
- Install at least a 10-inch high fence above ground to protect your plants.
- Do not overwater your lawn.
- Contact Thunder Pest Control at the first sign of gophers on your property.