A gopher is a fur-lined external burrowing rodent that spends most of its life underground. It rarely comes to the surface, especially during the day. It spends most of the time burrowing as it searches for food from roots and grasses. It can cause a lot of destruction from the many tunnels it digs and with time it can destroy a garden completely. If you are wondering how to trap a gopher, this article will guide you on the best practice that will eliminate it before it completely destroys your garden or well-manicured lawn.
If you detect a gopher early enough you have the chance of catching it before it causes extensive damage to your property. You also have a better chance of trapping it before it digs too many tunnels. Before you start you need to identify the main tunnel the gopher uses. This is the tunnel that it uses the most and you have a better chance of trapping it if you set your trap along this tunnel. You can identify it by the fact that it is where all other short tunnels originate or connect to.
One of the best ways to catch a gopher is the use of traps. There are several types of traps that are available in the market. The most common ones are the box traps. These are traps that are triggered when a gopher pushes against a trigger.
The easiest trap among the two types of traps is the box trap. When setting it you need to ensure the two boxes face opposite directions. This ensures that the trap can catch the gopher regardless of the direction it comes from. You will need to excavate the tunnel further to set it up. This is one disadvantage that many trappers find with this trap as it destroys your lawn further.
Once the trap is set you need to cover the burrow by using a soft material such as cardboard to prevent light from getting into the tunnel. Seal it completely by pouring fine soil around the edges of the material. The gopher may notice the trap and fill it with soil making it ineffective.
Give yourself three days before you decide to check on the trap. This is ample time for the trap to be effective. If the gopher is not caught yet, you can set the trap on another point along the main tunnel. Sometimes the gopher can detect human scent on the trap and keep off.
Trapping a gopher is the most effective way of catching it and is also friendly. If one has other pets such as dogs and cats, baiting is not recommended. The bait is usually poisonous and is not advisable to be used as it can be exposed to children or other animals. Even though they are placed underground, some animals especially dogs are able to dig them out.
It is best to set the traps during spring or fall seasons. If you only have one or two gopher to worry about in your garden, you can easily trap them and get rid of them. However, if your property has been invaded by an entire community, seek professional help. You may not be in a position to put in the time and experience that is required to remove all of them from your garden.
If you detect a gopher early enough you have the chance of catching it before it causes extensive damage to your property. You also have a better chance of trapping it before it digs too many tunnels. Before you start you need to identify the main tunnel the gopher uses. This is the tunnel that it uses the most and you have a better chance of trapping it if you set your trap along this tunnel. You can identify it by the fact that it is where all other short tunnels originate or connect to.
One of the best ways to catch a gopher is the use of traps. There are several types of traps that are available in the market. The most common ones are the box traps. These are traps that are triggered when a gopher pushes against a trigger.
The easiest trap among the two types of traps is the box trap. When setting it you need to ensure the two boxes face opposite directions. This ensures that the trap can catch the gopher regardless of the direction it comes from. You will need to excavate the tunnel further to set it up. This is one disadvantage that many trappers find with this trap as it destroys your lawn further.
Once the trap is set you need to cover the burrow by using a soft material such as cardboard to prevent light from getting into the tunnel. Seal it completely by pouring fine soil around the edges of the material. The gopher may notice the trap and fill it with soil making it ineffective.
Give yourself three days before you decide to check on the trap. This is ample time for the trap to be effective. If the gopher is not caught yet, you can set the trap on another point along the main tunnel. Sometimes the gopher can detect human scent on the trap and keep off.
Trapping a gopher is the most effective way of catching it and is also friendly. If one has other pets such as dogs and cats, baiting is not recommended. The bait is usually poisonous and is not advisable to be used as it can be exposed to children or other animals. Even though they are placed underground, some animals especially dogs are able to dig them out.
It is best to set the traps during spring or fall seasons. If you only have one or two gopher to worry about in your garden, you can easily trap them and get rid of them. However, if your property has been invaded by an entire community, seek professional help. You may not be in a position to put in the time and experience that is required to remove all of them from your garden.
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