The presence of lawn pests like gophers, moles, and voles can present a real dilemma for homeowners. On the one hand, the small furry critters are doing a lot of damage to your carefully nurtured lawns, flowers, shrubs, and vegetables. On the other hand, they are just that – small furry critters with cute faces. Traditional methods of getting rid of pests, such as poison and traps are unappealing, and they can also cause harm to kids and pets. That still leaves you with the problem of how to get rid of ground squirrels and other assorted unwanted rodents. Luckily, animal control experts have developed humane methods that will not harm the animals but just remove them or discourage them from entering your yard.
Yard damage from gophers
Their presence is unmistakable and the damage is very visible. While their habits are different, gophers, moles, voles and other burrowing rodents make their homes by digging long underground burrows. Gopher tunnels can be anywhere from 200 to 2000 square feet. These show up as unsightly furrows and ridges on what was once a pristine lawn. Gopher holes can be tripping hazards, and then there’s the damage they do to the plants themselves.
Many people confuse gophers with groundhogs, but they’re actually much smaller. Gophers weigh anywhere between two to 12 pounds. But even though they’re smaller than groundhogs, they can do a lot of damage. They will eat up your prized plants, vegetables, and flowering shrubs; gophers eat up to 60% of their body weight every day. They may also chew through power lines and tree roots, with dangerous results. Gophers may also attract more dangerous creatures like weasels, skunks, and snakes, who prey on the rodents.
Humane options for gopher removal
Even though gophers do a lot of damage and are classified as pests, many homeowners are reluctant to follow the extreme measures traditionally used to get rid of lawn pests. Many people find the idea of using poisons and traps distasteful, especially on small inoffensive creatures. These methods can be dangerous for kids and pets as well. Luckily, there are humane methods of pest control and many gopher removal services use these.
Humane pest control professionals know many different methods how to get rid of ground squirrels, gophers, and other unwanted rodents. Humane trapping is one of the most commonly used methods of getting rid of gophers. Gopher abatement methods also rely on their sensitivity to smell. Castor oil, peppermint, and fabric softener can all repel them when placed near the entrance to their burrows. Gopher netting can also help keep them out of your yard.
Humane pest control professionals have many methods for how to get rid of ground squirrels, moles, and other yard pests. That’s good news for home owners who are frustrated by the damage these rodents can cause, but who don’t want to kill them outright. Humane methods can just remove the critters without killing them, or find ways to discourage them from staying in your yard.