Because the Bay Area’s weather stays mild, gophers remain busy underground even in summer. Moreover, dry soil pushes them to dig deeper for roots and moisture, so you’ll still see fresh mounds and damage if you ignore them—even after spring.
As a result, homeowners who pause pest control risk sudden infestations that threaten lawns, plants, and garden stability.
When Gophers Are Most Active
Spring: Peak tunneling due to breeding and flush vegetation.
Summer: Continued digging, often deeper in search of moisture.
Fall: Renewed tunneling with cooler soil and occasional rain.
Winter: Still active—burrows shift but they don’t hibernate.
How to Trap Them Humanely—and Effectively
First, locate active burrows.
Poke fresh mounds gently. If they collapse, that tunnel is in use.Next, choose the right trap:
Gophinator: Best overall, especially for larger gophers.
Macabee or Cinch: Work fine, but add restraints for bigger ones.
Then, place the trap correctly:
Clear away debris, set it straight across the tunnel, stake it down, and optionally cover it. Also, skip gloves—it won’t affect success.Afterward, check often.
Inspect traps every 1–2 days. If nothing’s caught, move it to another active tunnel.Finally, repeat.
Keep resetting until tunnels stay clear for days, proving the area is free.
Steps for Long-Term Yard Protection
Install buried barrier mesh
Place galvanized hardware cloth around gardens—2 ft deep—to block gophers.Plant deterrents
Garlic, daffodils, lavender, and marigolds can discourage them naturally.Encourage natural predators
Build owl boxes. Owls often dine on gophers, helping control them.Use sound deterrents
Sonic stakes may offer temporary relief, but they don’t always work long-term.
Why You Should Choose Got Gophers This Summer
At Got Gophers, we focus on humane, seasonal solutions:
We map active tunnels before trapping.
We deploy proven traps, such as Gophinators, for fast results.
We check often, especially in dry months when gophers stay busy.
We install barriers and redesign landscaping to make yards less inviting.
We follow up, ensuring no survivors return.
Plus, you won’t deal with poisons—just targeted, eco-friendly removal.
Ready To act?
Summer is peak time for gopher activity. Don’t wait until mounds return. Instead, protect your yard now.
📞 Call Got Gophers today or fill out our form for a free estimate for Bay Area gopher removal. We serve San Jose, Mountain View, Santa Cruz, Marin, and everywhere in between.