Gopher Traps

Choosing the Best Gopher Trap

There are several types of gopher traps available to you, and you will have to choose the trap that best suits your needs. Some people would rather not kill the gophers and choose to try using live gopher traps, which are mainly used above ground. The good thing about using these kinds of traps is that they can also one be used for catching other types of small animal pests.

The downside to using live gopher traps is that they generally won’t be as effective of a gopher removal strategy, since gophers are rarely above ground. This does not mean that you can’t catch a gopher with a live trap, it just means that using the right gopher bait, and placing the trap in the right location will be crucial. For this reason, most people choose to just use snap-like traps, box traps with a choker loop, or the CINCH gopher traps we carry, which do kill the gophers and offer a greater chance of success. (Also see our CHINCH gopher trap deluxe kit)

How To Trap A Gopher

There are many ways to bury and set your traps, but there are many resources available that can help to guide you through how to catch a gopher. Here is a quick guide with some basic steps on how to get rid of a gopher.

• Check laws and regulations in your area to ensure it is not illegal to kill or remove gophers from your property.
• Locate tunnels: Find freshly made soil mounds. These will be fan shaped with a hole (plugged) on one side. Placing the traps in the main tunnel will help you catch gophers faster. You will need to probe for the tunnel openings with a rod; you will meet resistance when you locate the tunnel.
• Dig in: With a spade, dig down to the tunnel, removing any dirt blocking the tunnel. Place a set trap as far away from the opening as possible. Putting two on each end will increase your chances of trapping. Be careful, as gophers will not hesitate to bite you.
• Mark location: Connect a thin wire to each trap and attach them to a stake above ground. This way the gophers or other critters can’t move or steal your traps and you won’t lose it.
• Cover or uncover: People have had success with covering up the holes they’ve made (with a thin piece of wood) or leaving them exposed. Gophers tend to plug holes regardless if they are covered up or not, so the gophers will most likely come to that area anyways. If you don’t cover the hole, make sure you mark it with a flag.
• Be patient: You will most likely encounter many false traps, as gophers can set off traps by pushing dirt, digging, and moving the traps around. Check every couple days, monitoring traps and resetting them if necessary.