DIY gopher Trapping
Feel like you have a gopher issue you can solve yourself? We have you covered! Here we have step-by-step directions on how you can capture a gopher yourself. If you have the free time and are willing to learn by trial and error read on to find out how to trap gophers.
Pro-Tip: Use clean gloves when digging and setting traps, gophers will notice the scent of a human in their tunnels and on the traps and dig around them.
4 Step DIY Instructions for Gopher Trapping:
Step 1) Find an active gopher tunnel
Gophers are active during the day, but they are most active nearing the end of the day. This means you should try your best to hunt down the active gopher tunnels early in the morning. Find a gopher mound with loose fresh soil. Using a long screwdriver stab gently into the ground in all directions about a foot away from the mound. When you can stab fully into the ground with little resistance you have found your tunnel!
Step 2) Create an opening into the tunnel
Using a small shovel or gardening trowel dig down into the tunnel. Make sure to carefully remove any loose soil that falls into the tunnel. When you can reach about wrist deep into either direction of the tunnel you are ready for step 3.
Step 3) Set your traps
Now that you have opened the tunnel place two gopher traps into the tunnel, one facing each direction of the tunnel carefully following the manufacturer’s directions. Remember to place the trap as flat as you can within the trap, you do not want to leave any chance of escaping or bypassing the trap. The key to successful gopher trapping is proper placement.
Step 4) Mark the traps
Attach the traps using wire or string to a stake placed in the ground. This will help to a) help you find your trapped gopher when it is time to collect and b) keep other wild animals like coyotes or dogs from running off with your trap (i.e. money) and its content in its jaws.
Pro-Tip: When collecting and cleaning used traps make sure to clean with unscented soap and warm water to get rid of any scents left on the trap from dead gophers or human hands. Let dry completely before re-using the traps.
What type of gopher traps to use
There is more than one way to trap a gopher! Though sadly, all gopher traps do require you to kill the gopher. It is illegal in many states to transplant trapped gophers to other areas. Luckily all modern traps are able to dispatch the pests with speed and efficiency, making them the most humane way to get rid of a gopher infestation.
Here we have our best recommendations for gopher traps if trying to give it a go yourself. Keep in mind no single tunnel is similar to another, and not all traps are made to solve every gopher situation. This means that you may need to invest in multiple trap types to get rid of a larger infestation if you decide to DIY.
Wire Traps
Also known as pincer traps these types of traps use tension and a trip plate or wire to trigger a set of strong wire prongs to grab the gopher and hold it in place. The design of these traps has changed little in the years since its creation 1900, that’s over 100 years ago. The only downside to these traps is it can take a little finesse and several attempts to set these traps without triggering them.
Though they can be tough to master, wire traps will definitely be the cheapest option when shopping for gopher traps.
Box Traps
The box trap is another old design that hasn’t changed much since its creation, much like the wire trap. The original design was made of wood (which you can still find), though the newer version is made of hard plastic.
The box trap uses a stiff wire at the bottom of the trap that is set off when the gopher climbs over it and hits the trip plate. The bottom wire lifts and traps the gopher, a quick and humane solution. These are best used when the gopher tunnel being targeted is too narrow for a wire trap.
The downside to using box traps is that it will require you to remove quite a bit more soil in to place them in comparison to the wire traps. To solve for this when working on a lawn, remove a few large pieces of sod above the main tunnel and place in a shaded area until you are done trapping.
Pro-Tip: When covering box traps, remember to leave enough room for the spring to release otherwise you will have taught the gopher a lesson in evasion. Gophers can learn to avoid traps!
Whatever trap you decide to use remember that it takes time, effort, and consistency. It may happen that a gopher discovers your trap and fills it in with dirt. Just give it a few days and try again.
Key Take aways on how to trap a gopher
·It takes more than one
In most cases, it is worthwhile to invest in multiple types of traps. This will help in situations where you find a wily gopher that is evading capture.
·Don't Waste Time
Getting started right away as soon as you see a mound is the most important way to defeat an infestation.
·Two Traps Are better than one
Increase your odds of trapping success by placing 2 traps at once, each facing different directions.
Gopher trapping can be hard work, especially if you have a large infestation!
Got Gophers is here to help. Contact us now for a free consultation to help get rid of these pesky yard-ruining critters!