Hi! I’ve already told you how to poison gophers if you have an infestation. But what should you do if the infestation is still a potential danger? To my mind, the best thing that you can do is to learn how to keep gophers out of the garden using effective gopher control products.
Although these critters are rather small and cute, they can cause a lot of damage to your yard. Gophers usually move to households because they need a new food source. They are very aggressive when it comes to protecting their territory.
They can bite your family members and pets, and transmit rabies, plague, LCM, hantavirus, and leptospirosis. That being said, it’s very important to stay away from these animals. From this article, you will learn how to choose the best gopher repellent as well as how to use it properly to prevent the infestation.
Top 5 Best Gopher Repellents
- Mole/Gopher Repellent
- Victor M9012 Sonic 2 Spike
- Toro Products 4 Pack Mole Repellent Solar Powered
- Sweeney’s Mole & Gopher Repellent
- Tomcat Mole & Gopher Repellent Granules
It’s important not only to know how to use repellers correctly but also to opt for the products that have already proved their efficiency during tests of professionals and average consumers. Choose the one that provides the best features for solving your problem and follow the tips given below the reviews.
1. Repellex Mole, Vole & Gopher Granular – Best Granular Gopher Deterrent
Specifications:
- Active Ingredients: Castor Oil, Cinnamon, Garlic, White Pepper
- Item Form: Granules
- Item Weight: 25.9 Pounds
- Package Dimensions: 10.5 x 9.75 x 13.25 inches
- Target Species: Mole, Gopher
Repellex Granular repellent is an original US-manufactured product with such active components as castor oil 20%, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate 10%, garlic oil, cinnamon oil, white pepper, and cellulose 69% as a carrier. Such a combination provides a strong and long-lasting repelling effect.
Moreover, a 24lb container is enough for treating over 2200 square meters of land. You can simply sprinkle the granules into entrances of each active tunnel and wait several days for the pests to go away. I recommend you to repeat the procedure 2-3 times to achieve the needed effect. Fortunately, a single container is enough for large yards.
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2. Victor M9012 Sonic 2 Spike – Best Ultrasonic Gopher Control Device
Specifications:
- Material: Plastic
- Number of Pieces: 2
- Item Weight: 13.7 ounces
- Product Dimensions: 2.6 x 2.6 x 11.5 inches
- Target Species: Mole, Gopher
This 2-pack of ultrasonic spikes by Victor is a competitor of Toro Products sonic repellent. There are several differences, though. First of all, Victor’s device doesn’t have solar batteries, so you will have to change batteries when the item discharges.
However, they’re not likely to drain out faster than 4 months. The reason is the manufacturer claims the device will work from one set of D-type batteries up to 6 months, while 7-14 days is enough to make pests start leaving the area.
Two spikes cover almost 1400 square meters, which is enough for small and medium yards. I like that this gadget is designed to pulsate through the ground, and it reaches gophers perfectly well, but you have to install it carefully not to break thin plastic cone.
Compare my sonic gopher repeller reviews and choose the item that will cover your yard and work long enough without sunlight to help you get rid of rodents.
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3. Toro Products 4 Pack Mole Repellent – Effective Battery-Operated Gopher Stakes
Specifications:
- Color: Black
- Material: Plastic
- Number of Pieces: 4
- Item Weight: 1.43 pounds
- Package Dimensions: 15.3 x 3.15 x 3.75 inches
- Target Species: Mouse, Scorpion, Snake, Gopher, Mole
The ultrasonic gopher sonic spike by Toro Products is an effective clean repellent that can cover up to 650 square meters of your territory. Due to the long spike, you can insert the device up to 10 inches deep to reach gophers when they’re hiding in their tunnels.
It’s powered by solar batteries that need less than 5 hours for the full charge, which is enough for up to 5-7 days of effective 24/7 functioning. The system remains effective independently from weather conditions. The high-quality non-recycled ABS plastic is safe for your soils and doesn’t suffer from water and direct sunlight.
The repeller emits different patterns of ultrasonic pulses and vibrations that scare the pests away. Before activating the item, install it in the needed location and wait for 24 hours until full charge. After that, switch the knob into the “on” position to let the repeller emit 450Hz pulsations every 30 seconds.
To ensure high efficiency, place at least 4 spikes at a distance 30 meters far from each other, and wait 4-12 weeks to reach the result. I also recommend you to combine this method with other remedies.
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4. Sweeney’s Mole & Gopher Repellent – Quick Natural Gopher Repellent
Specifications:
- Active Ingredients: Castor Oil 10%
- Item Form: Granules
- Item Weight: 9.98 Pounds
- Coverage: 10000 Sq. Ft.
- Target Species:Moles, Gophers, Voles, Armadillos And Other Burrowing Animals
Sweeney’s granular repellent lets you get rid of gophers in 4 stages that usually take just 4 days. You have to sprinkle the pellets around the infested area and water them for around 20 minutes.
You have to water this gopher deterrent at least 4 days in a row so that the concentrate could penetrate the soil and make the gophers’ habitat unsuitable for life. There are no toxic or poisonous components, which makes the item totally safe for your pets and children. I recommend you to use it while fighting with severe infestations.
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5. Tomcat BL34784 Mole & Gopher Repellent Granules – Economical Castor Repellent
Specifications:
- Active Ingredients: Castor Oil 9.9%
- Item Form: Granules
- Item Weight: 3.12 pounds
- Package Dimensions: 3 x 12 x 10.3 inches
- Target Species: Mole
Similarly to the previous product, granules by Tomcat include highly concentrated castor oil. It quickly penetrates the ground and wards off all pests in 4 days by making ground in burrows smell and taste too bad for consumption.
This deterrent is perfect for gardens and lawns where you don’t grow edible plants. Still, you don’t have to worry that your grass and flowers will be damaged.
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Buyer’s Guide
As you can assume from the reviews, you may choose between ultrasonic and granular repellents. The first type lets you deal with the problem in a passive regimen. You can just install spikes and let them do the job.
On the other hand, ultrasonic devices can’t deal with severe infestations as fast as castor oil concentrate that penetrates every burrow in less than 5 days.
This being said, I recommend you to apply sonic repellers as a measure for driving pests away and making your land unattractive for them for a long time. Granular repellents are a remedy that you’d like to use for immediate results.
How to Repel Gophers
Repelling gophers from your territory requires a combination of measures. The first step that you have to undertake is to detect active tunnels of rodents and find signs of typical critter damage. These creatures are very cautious and never stray from their underground dwellings.
To identify damage done by these creatures, you should look for mounds that are used to close entrances to tunnels. Next, you have to understand how the tunnel system is configured. You can use a straight stick or a metal probe to make holes in the ground, and find main tunnels.
They’re usually 6-12 inches underground, so be careful not to damage them. Finally, you have to mark tunnels with flags or stones as the rodents will quickly fix the holes you made. If there’s nothing to use as a probe, you can draw a line between mounds to determine underground paths.
The next step is to choose the right remedy. My buyer’s guide and reviews of the best products will help you to make a deliberate choice. It’s important to follow direct instructions attached to each product to disturb gophers’ survival senses.
For example, castor repellers have to be sprayed over plants to make them disgusting for rodents, while an electronic gopher repellent has to be placed in close proximity to the active burrows. You should treat every tunnel around your yard as the tunnel system can cover up to 600 square meters!
When the infestation is over, you should remain attentive and continue the treatment to make sure that the critters won’t return to your property.
How Do Gopher Repellents Work
Sonic repellers emit ultrasonic impulses and vibrations that penetrate the ground deep enough to disrupt pests’ everyday life. Although it’s impossible for us to hear these sounds, they disturb rodents and make them look for a better place to live. Gophers cannot live in burrows where they don’t feel safe enough to eat, sleep, and breed.
Granular repellents provide a notably faster effect due to the high ground penetration ability of the castor oil concentrate. By watering the repellent, you deliver it to the tunnels, making the air inside suffocating for rodents.
Castor oil is also an excellent protector for inedible plants around your garden. This oil has a bitter taste that makes roots and leaves unsuitable for consumption.
How to Use Gopher Repellents
The first rule is to read the unique instructions of the remedy you chose. However, there are common rules too. Using sonic repellents, you have to place them close enough to each other to avoid gaps between areas. It’s also important to change batteries on time if there are no solar batteries.
You should also keep repellers from drowning in water as water always finds its way, you know. As for ground-penetrating granular repellents, you have to spread them around the infested area evenly and follow the watering schedule until you achieve the needed result.
FAQ
How to Repel Gopher from Your Garden?
Here is a brief algorithm for repelling gophers from your yard:
- Locate active tunnels – first of all, you have to find signs of rodents on your land. You have to identify mounds, tunnels, and mark them. Be attentive to catch the difference between voles and gopher damage.
- Choose the repeller – pick up the one from my list, or find other options.
- Apply or install the chosen product as directed in the unique user manual.
- Stick to expert tips given above and ask someone who faced the problem in your area to share their experience with you.
How Do Ultrasonic Repellents Work?
Ultrasonic repellers emit sounds that are irritating to pests. Humans and pets cannot hear the sound as the frequencies are too high for perception. However, the right ultrasonic frequency can disrupt the eating habits of rodents and make them want to escape from the inconvenient area as fast as possible. Continuous exposure to ultrasonic waves can persuade pests to start looking for a better place to live.
Where to Place Gopher Sonic Spikes?
Similarly to other repellents, you should place sonic pikes as close to active burrows as possible. Even if the manufacturer claims that the coverage area of the devices is large, you have to focus on the main tunnel system to achieve the best effect. It’s also wise to expose the entire territory to ultrasonic waves to keep rodents from digging new tunnels to safer areas.
Are There Plants That Repel Gophers?
Although plants cannot be used as a comprehensive solution, they may complement the complex treatment. Gophers are afraid of gopher spurge (Euphorbia lathyris), lavender, rosemary, oleander, marigolds, salvia, catmint, and crown imperials. Plant a border around the yard, vegetable patches, and flower beds.
Also read:
Gopher, Stay Away!
Combine one of the best remedies from my list with the application guidelines from the second part of the article, and you will ward gophers off your land forever. Be patient, and never neglect unique instructions attached to the item you chose.
Gophers are clever animals, so you always have to be one step ahead. If the repelling methods don’t seem to work in your case, ensure that you do everything right or try other options for dealing with rodents.
Have you tried any other methods of repelling gophers? You can share your findings in the comments section below. If you have any questions after reading, you can also ask me in the comments. I always read all comments and reply as soon as possible.
References:
- Pocket Gophers (R.A. Baldwin, Wildlife, Fish and Conservation Biology, UC Davis):
https://www2.ipm.ucanr.edu/agriculture/pistachio/Pocket-Gophers/ - Difference between Voles damage and Pocket Gopher damage (Adapted by Eric Hammond, Adams County Extension, from the CO-Horts blog originally authored by Irene Shonle, Gilpin County Extension):
https://planttalk.colostate.edu/topics/wildlife-issues/2310-difference-voles-damage-pocket-gopher-damage/ - Options for Dealing With Rodent Infestations (United States Environmental Protection Agency):
https://www.epa.gov/rodenticides/options-dealing-rodent-infestations
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