Gopher eradication

[LowRiver2]

Did a search in the lounge:
Not much
I know water doesn’t work. I’ve done road flares, .22 air rifle sniping , in ground traps
I have about 1/4 acre I need to knock down on these bastards before spring. Neighbor has adjacent acre of open land and they burrow right into my yard

Open to all ideas....
I know one can do over 100 surface holes. I have at least 4 based on my observations of hole “groupings”

Post away

 

[Xring01]

where are located..?
I love shooting them with my pcp air rifle.

 

[monkeyswrench]

Not "legal"...for use in Cali. The parks/city guys up here had a badass thing. Looked like a metal detector, with a hose to a propane tank! Cover a hole, initiate gas sequence, push the bbq lighter piezo electric button...boom! Get smoke and sometimes flames out of other holes. They got in trouble by management for posting vids, so it got locked up.

I'm sure a guy of your background can get some MacGuyver equivalent setup fairly easy.

 

[4Waters]

Air rifle is the most fun. Engine exhaust or CO poisoning, preferably something without a catalytic converter.

 

[Rayson1971]

Just watch Caddyshack.

 

[westair]

traps seem to be the only way that works for me ..... you can get a rodinater which would get rid of them pretty quick and fun too but it's expensive

 

[4Waters]

Not "legal"...for use in Cali. The parks/city guys up here had a badass thing. Looked like a metal detector, with a hose to a propane tank! Cover a hole, initiate gas sequence, push the bbq lighter piezo electric button...boom! Get smoke and sometimes flames out of other holes. They got in trouble by management for posting vids, so it got locked up.

I'm sure a guy of your background can get some MacGuyver equivalent setup fairly easy.

You mean this? He would have too much fun with this

Gopher And Prairie Dog Control Using Propane And Oxygen Pest Control

rodentblaster.com

 

[DLC]

I use water.....it’s a process

flood all the holes in the afternoon like 3-5pm before dark the little F’r with go around to all open hole and plug em back up with dirt when that happens flood em again and he will pop up out of the ground then hit him over the head with a shovel.

 

[DWC]

traps seem to be the only way that works for me ..... you can get a rodinater which would get rid of them pretty quick and fun too but it's expensive

X2 on the trap. Poison, water, mower hooked up to a dryer duct doesn’t seem to work. Had a little success with 6 flairs and shop vac on blow. Couldn’t ditch the last couple until i trapped them. Use gloves to hide the scent. Put some veggies in and wait.

 

[DLC]

I have one of these also, hook the boot over exhaust pipe turn on car put other end of garden hose in gopher hole

 

[DWC]

I have one of these also, hook the boot over exhaust pipe turn on car put other end of garden hose in gopher hole

View attachment 966192

I gotta look for one of those. Pretty sure my neighbor (5 houses down) breeds gophers. F’g guys lawn is a mess. They make it down here once every 12-18 mos. My job is to make sure i get them before it makes it to my 89yr old neighbors house. She’s not a fan of gophers.

 

[Looking Glass]

I

Not "legal"...for use in Cali. The parks/city guys up here had a badass thing. Looked like a metal detector, with a hose to a propane tank! Cover a hole, initiate gas sequence, push the bbq lighter piezo electric button...boom! Get smoke and sometimes flames out of other holes. They got in trouble by management for posting vids, so it got locked up.

I'm sure a guy of your background can get some MacGuyver equivalent setup fairly easy.

I have done it many times Back where "You are on your Own" Use a propane tank with a hose stick the hose down as far as you have hose length, then just crack the valve a bit and comeback in the morning or some time later. The Propane Zaps their lungs or ? and they will be on the surface. Problem solved.


No need to Cause an explosion or Draw attantion yourself. This is quiet and Ultra effective.

 

[HotRod82]

I have one of these also, hook the boot over exhaust pipe turn on car put other end of garden hose in gopher hole

View attachment 966192

I bought a hi temp 1.5" industrial hose and hooked it to my diesel tractor and was surprised how ineffective it was...then I hooked it up to my 56 Ford pickup and it works incredibly well! I guess the rich running carb combined with no Catalytic converter does a great job of displacing the oxygen.
God I hate gophers.

 

[nowski]

Get a conservative cat they know how to hunt unlike there liberal cousins. They kill birds, rats, mice, lizards and gophers...

 

[gqchris]

I use water.....it’s a process

flood all the holes in the afternoon like 3-5pm before dark the little F’r with go around to all open hole and plug em back up with dirt when that happens flood em again and he will pop up out of the ground then hit him over the head with a shovel.

X2. This worked for me last time. I tried everything else. Waited about an hour and thr fucker popped up. I blasted him with air rifle 2x, didnt phase him. Shovel to head was the winner. I also hung him up for others to see. No problems since then!

 

[Done-it-again]

Get this and I guarantee you will get 1 in 24 hrs. It’s the only trap that will.

You need to dig the mound out till you find the hole. Then set the trap with the open end in the hole and keep the back side open to light. Then cover the sides. Works like a charm.

 

[Ziggy]

 

[Flying_Lavey]

I have a few friends that have had gopher problems for years. They went and bought a couple of these and have been killing them left and right. Absolutely swear by them.

Amazon.com : GopherHawk Trapping Set, Includes Wedge and Probe Tool, 1 GH-SET : Garden & Outdoor

Amazon.com : GopherHawk Trapping Set, Includes Wedge and Probe Tool, 1 GH-SET : Garden & Outdoor

www.amazon.com

Sent from my SM-G781V using Tapatalk

 

[lenmann]

Cinch traps and a regular program work for me. I live on 10 acres in the country and gophers are just part of living here. That said they can be managed if you are diligent in eradicating them when they show up. In my neck of the woods (NorCal) they are most active in the spring and fall. I work a perimeter program, when they start mounding about 200' out I set the Cinch traps. There is a bit of a technique to using the traps but once you figure it out they are pretty sure fire. They key to the program is to respond when you first see the mounds, wait too long and they multiply like crazy. Oh, and when you kill one, release it from the trap and bury it in the hole. Sends a message to the off-spring that there are better times outside the 200' perimeter.

Amazon.com : Cinch Traps-Medium Gopher Trap Kit: 3 Gopher Traps with Tunnel Marking Flags and Instructions- Made in America : Cinch Traps For Gophers : Garden & Outdoor

Amazon.com : Cinch Traps-Medium Gopher Trap Kit: 3 Gopher Traps with Tunnel Marking Flags and Instructions- Made in America : Cinch Traps For Gophers : Garden & Outdoor

www.amazon.com

 

[Jefftowz]

I used the Gopher flares for a few days and put a few rocks in the holes and now my neighbors have a gopher issue.

 

[H20 Toie]

looks like this worked for this guy

 

[Rondog4405]

I tried everything for those lil bastards. Flooding the holes.. smoke bombs.. granules. Finally just bought some of these and had the culprit with 20 mins

 

[arch stanton]

looks like this worked for this guy

This guy used and oxygen acetylene torch you get a neutral flame then knock it in the dirt to knock out the flame and then fill the hole, as you can see it really is to explosive to be used around anything of value but is fun in an open field. The propane one does not add oxygen so the explosion is way less destructive. I want to try the exhaust from a lawn mower it should work well. I have good luck with the traps I leave the hole open but cover with wood leaving space for light to enter and I do not push the trap all the way into the holes, also use a little grass on the trap were the gopher will crawl and a citrus leaf crushed and put behind the paddle to hide your sent it also helps to rub on your hands.
You also need to make sure the traps are sensitive enough they are not all the same a little bending or filling of the catch may be needed if the gopher pushes dirt over the trap and it does not spring you can be sure it needs adjusting also tie a string to the traps then around a stake you don't want the little bastards pulling your trap way down the hole.
There is some satisfaction pulling the dead little bastards out of the hole and releasing them into a trash can. once I get one I will reset trap in the exact same spot and sometimes get another one I keep resetting until 4 or so days with no activity.

 

[Bob Bitchen]

Not "legal"...for use in Cali. The parks/city guys up here had a badass thing. Looked like a metal detector, with a hose to a propane tank! Cover a hole, initiate gas sequence, push the bbq lighter piezo electric button...boom! Get smoke and sometimes flames out of other holes. They got in trouble by management for posting vids, so it got locked up.

I'm sure a guy of your background can get some MacGuyver equivalent setup fairly easy.

They are called the "Rodenator". They are a little pricy but fun as hell. They fill the hole with oxygen and propane and light it with the peso lighter in the tip.
http://rodenator.eu/

Sorry for the VIN

 

[wash11]

I have a few friends that have had gopher problems for years. They went and bought a couple of these and have been killing them left and right. Absolutely swear by them.

Amazon.com : GopherHawk Trapping Set, Includes Wedge and Probe Tool, 1 GH-SET : Garden & Outdoor

Amazon.com : GopherHawk Trapping Set, Includes Wedge and Probe Tool, 1 GH-SET : Garden & Outdoor

www.amazon.com

Sent from my SM-G781V using Tapatalk

Thanks for the link, just ordered it.

 

[Danger Dave]

Maybe build a small section of low income housing on the property? Nothing wants to live next to that.

 

[LowRiver2]

X2 on the trap. Poison, water, mower hooked up to a dryer duct doesn’t seem to work. Had a little success with 6 flairs and shop vac on blow. Couldn’t ditch the last couple until i trapped them. Use gloves to hide the scent. Put some veggies in and wait.

I’ve used the traps (shove in hole), it does work, just takes several days to get one.
I may just have to continue with more traps.
My gophers rarely come above ground and I get dirt mounds to shoot through.
While shooting is fun, too much time for me to sit and wait , lol.

 

[LowRiver2]

I tried everything for those lil bastards. Flooding the holes.. smoke bombs.. granules. Finally just bought some of these and had the culprit with 20 mins View attachment 966218

I have these
I’ve had some luck with them but some of these bastards know something’s up and burrow past it, lol.

 

[4Waters]

looks like this worked for this guy

Thats one way to turn the soil "Hay babe, I'm done rototilling"

 

[LowRiver2]

Cinch traps and a regular program work for me. I live on 10 acres in the country and gophers are just part of living here. That said they can be managed if you are diligent in eradicating them when they show up. In my neck of the woods (NorCal) they are most active in the spring and fall. I work a perimeter program, when they start mounding about 200' out I set the Cinch traps. There is a bit of a technique to using the traps but once you figure it out they are pretty sure fire. They key to the program is to respond when you first see the mounds, wait too long and they multiply like crazy. Oh, and when you kill one, release it from the trap and bury it in the hole. Sends a message to the off-spring that there are better times outside the 200' perimeter.

Amazon.com : Cinch Traps-Medium Gopher Trap Kit: 3 Gopher Traps with Tunnel Marking Flags and Instructions- Made in America : Cinch Traps For Gophers : Garden & Outdoor

Amazon.com : Cinch Traps-Medium Gopher Trap Kit: 3 Gopher Traps with Tunnel Marking Flags and Instructions- Made in America : Cinch Traps For Gophers : Garden & Outdoor

www.amazon.com

I have another 1/4-1/2 acre Of space to defend. If you have 10 acres, I can’t complain lol.

I’ll order some of these and try them.

 

[LowRiver2]

Thats one way to turn the soil "Hay babe, I'm done rototilling"

I have a friend who “may” have done this in his avocado groves in the IE. No more gophers (allegedly)

I have active oil lines running through my land that I get a monthly check for them being there . While they are down a decent depth, I’m not losing my extra income (cracking a pipe), over gophers , lol!
And pretty sure I’d ruin my sprinkler lines ha ha

 

[LowRiver2]

Thanks for all the info. and experiences with these lil’ bastards.
I will order more traps today, along with a Bill Murray Caddyshack hat, and get to work

 

[Blackmagic94]

Det cord from work!!!

 

[Mikes56]

I have tried everything and the only thing that I have found that works is the Exterminator that I use. The company’s name is Enviroworx. He opens a small hole in the gopher mound and drops cyanide pills into the gopher hole. He covers it back up and the moisture in the dirt dissolves the pills and the hole fills with cyanide gas. It’s completely safe for pets and people. The gopher(s) are dead before the next day. He guarantees his work and will come back for free within 30 days. The owners name is Paul, call him at (818) 342-6674.

Don't waste your time trying anything else.

 

[Instigator]

Gopherheaven.com
It is a single cyl gas engine mounted on an upside down stainless dog bowl with the exhaust plumbed into it. You simply set the bowl over the hole and start the engine and it fills the hole tunnel system with carbon monoxide and poisons them to death in the tunnels. No mess to fuss.
The guy sells them to golf courses and makes a killing.

Rodent Control | Glendale, AZ - Gopher Heaven

 

[LowRiver2]

Det cord from work!!!

We have that crap on lockdown. It’s the blasting caps I’d lose my job over , those things are getting super pricey lol

 

[Gelcoater]

I have a friend who “may” have done this in his avocado groves in the IE. No more gophers (allegedly)

I have active oil lines running through my land that I get a monthly check for them being there . While they are down a decent depth, I’m not losing my extra income (cracking a pipe), over gophers , lol!
And pretty sure I’d ruin my sprinkler lines ha ha

Tell me your friends name isn’t Glen, lol.

My neighbor and I were having a gopher problem. Her Gardner planted decorative garlic.
No more gophers.
I don’t think it would work on a large parcel, her lot and mine are about 1/4 acre each.

 

[LowRiver2]

Tell me your friends name isn’t Glen, lol.

My neighbor and I were having a gopher problem. Her Gardner planted decorative garlic.
No more gophers.
I don’t think it would work on a large parcel, her lot and mine are about 1/4 acre each.

No comment ......

 

[Gelcoater]

No comment ......

I know I know.
Not as much fun as blowing shit up but I can’t argue the results.

 

[Taboma]

Pretty obvious, there's a lot of " what works best" opinions. Been whacking these suckers for the past 30 years trying to control their numbers on my property.
My conclusion is, " Some things will work some of the time, but nothing works all the time " I actually picture them attending avoidance training.

Here's a link to a pdf put out by U of CAL Ag dept. you might find interesting --- actually the almond growers have some good info as well if you do a search.

http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PDF/PESTNOTES/pnpocketgophers.pdf

 

[checkrd past]

I don't have a gopher problem , but this makes for a fun read

 

[Blackmagic94]

We have that crap on lockdown. It’s the blasting caps I’d lose my job over , those things are getting super pricey lol

Boooooooooo. I would imagine a few 1000 feet of cord pulled through with a RC car would be epic to watch

 

[port austin pirate]

tried most of the methods, the one that worked best for me was blackhole traps, didnt have much luck with metal traps gassers ect, good luck

 

[H20 Toie]

A buddy of mine had one of his guys do the whole propane thing and lit it. 2 gophers came out of the holes on fire and ran directly into neighbors hay field. Turned into a big deal with the fire department.

 

[CLdrinker]

Did a search in the lounge:
Not much
I know water doesn’t work. I’ve done road flares, .22 air rifle sniping , in ground traps
I have about 1/4 acre I need to knock down on these bastards before spring. Neighbor has adjacent acre of open land and they burrow right into my yard

Open to all ideas....
I know one can do over 100 surface holes. I have at least 4 based on my observations of hole “groupings”

Post away

I thought you dealt with bombs for a living...

Seems you likely have the skills for this situation.

Video will be appreciated.

 

[robusto]

Thanks for the link, just ordered it.

This worked for my gophers also.

 

[67Charger]

Just bought a GopherHawk... I'll report back. Those stupid things are a thorn in my side.

 

[LowRiver2]

I thought you dealt with bombs for a living...

Seems you likely have the skills for this situation.

Video will be appreciated.

I posted in the thread I have oil lines below the surface

Not worth cracking my $200+ a month check I get from oil co. Over some gophers.
The rodenator works for sure, just not with the risk

 

[Taboma]

This worked for my gophers also.

View attachment 966361

Success or failure with this trap style is solely dependent on the type of soil and moisture content. Meaning, they work awesome is certain types of soil, but not worth a shit in others.

This dirt looks great for setting this trap, almost liked it's been tilled.

If you have a softer more damp soil, then tunnels are easier to locate and the hole won't just collapse and fill the tunnel with dirt as you auger and insert this trap. My soil in places is challenging, it's a HARDer than fuck (Unless it's wet) DG capping over soft damp or dry soil beneath.
So probing for the tunnel is challenging because once a probe breaks through the DG, it drops like it's in a tunnel, even if it isn't. Often I think I'm in a tunnel, but when I dig it out, there is no tunnel.

Some love this trap, others think it's a waste of money simply based on their different soil types. Some have put augers on drills, in order to create a hole, which is fine if you can clear the tunnel you just buried. Otherwise you're setting this trap into a pile of dirt, not an open tunnel.

I'll probably get one just to try it, I'd especially prefer it should a gopher get into my lawn, where I tend to find feeder holes, not tunnel mounds and I don't want to dig out large openings.

 

[buck35]

Ive had two oldtimers tell me the exhaust deal works. I'm going to try in the spring.tbey .mentioned an old diesel tractor is better .