Prevention Options
Exclusion & Repellents
There are a couple things you can do to keep gophers away, or at least make it a less inviting place for them to live and forage.
Exclusion
However, you could use exclusion methods to protect certain plants, like especially prized trees or valuable ornamental plants, instead of your entire yard:
- Use mesh wire fencing material that has small enough openings to keep gophers from getting through. Look for 1/4 to 1/2 inch mesh.
- Bury the fencing underground at least a foot and a half deep.
- To protect the plant above ground, leave about a half a foot of fencing above ground.
- Doing this will help prevent gopher damage if gophers do make their way into your yard.
Repellents
Repellent products work best if they are applied before you ever have a gopher problem, and if they are used consistently and correctly. They have to be reapplied often, about every two weeks, depending on the product. They come in granular and liquid formulas, and must be watered in to penetrate into the soil. Follow directions carefully.