Mounds Of Soil In Your Vegetable Garden? You May Have A Gopher Infestation!
After spending much of the last several months working tirelessly in your vegetable garden, coming to the realization that your garden is under attack from gophers can be rather depressing. The tell-tale sign of a gopher infestation is a mound of soil that a gopher removed to create a tunnel. Chances are that if you see only one mound of soil then you can expect additional mounds at some point in the near future. Here's what you need to know if you notice mounts of soil in or near your vegetable garden.
Why are gophers attracted to vegetable gardens?
Gophers love vegetable gardens because it gives them a source of food that is all there for the taking... underground. They burrow and create elaborate underground tunneling networks so they are able to feed on the roots and bulbs of the vegetables right in their cozy burrows. Sometimes, they pull an entire plant down into their burrow so they can feast on it.
What kind of damage can gophers do other than eating veggies?
Gophers can chew through underground lines and cables. They can also chew through plumbing lines and uproot sprinkler systems. More importantly, gophers have been known to damage tree roots. Without healthy roots, trees can die. Another cause of concern with a gopher infestation is that they are known to be infested with lice, mites, fleas, and ticks, all of which are disease carriers. This can be particularly concerning for families who have pets or small children.
How quickly do gophers breed?
Gophers breed only once or twice each year. Therefore, you do have a bit of time to investigate your options for gopher extermination further, at least more than you would if you were dealing with mice, which can have 5-10 litters every year. But gophers can have 5-6 babies per litter, so don't take too long in making your decision. Always consider that there are more gophers than you probably realize, so act as quickly as possible.
What are the options to get rid of gophers?
There are a number of different ways to get rid of gophers, both lethal and non-lethal. Lethal measures typically involves the placement of poisons and/or traps. Non-lethal measures typically involve the repellent devices and fake owls. Predator owls and feral cats also make great natural gopher deterrents. Speak with a gopher extermination service that specializes in gophers for more information about the various methods used.
