Gophers! How to Get Rid of Pocket Gophers. Gopher Control. Gopher Removal. Mothballs. Moles.

Here is a compilation of all known methods to get rid of gophers.

You are on your own as to legal consequences, anal-retentiveness of your local government bureaucracy, animal-rights groups, the plausibility of each recommendation, the deviousness of the gophers, and whatever else may obstruct you. Also be advised that this is a compilation list; not a recommendation list. Have fun with it. Many of the items listed here will actually work. It won’t be that difficult to ascertain which is which. Your results may vary.

The pocket gopher is a burrowing rodent found here, there, and everywhere. Their purpose in life seems to be the destruction of plants and land.

They can measure up to a foot in length, depending on the species. They have sharp teeth and claws. Gophers, moles, and ground squirrels are often mistaken for each other. Extermination techniques are different for each.

Gophers often plug their gopher holes, while the others do not. The gopher home is a complex system of tunnels running up to several hundred feet. The main gopher tunnels run about half a foot below the surface and are three inches or more in diameter. Chambers are created off the main tunnels for food storage and breeding nests. Excess soil is piled on the surface. Though most of the burrow system is relatively close to the surface, many parts of the complex can penetrate to as much as six feet deep.

Pocket gopher families are loners and territorial. Their average territory is approximately 40 x 40 to 50 x 50 feet square; or a 20 to 25 foot radius.

Pocket gophers are active 365 days a year. Surface foraging is not their main forte and is only done very near the gopher hole entrances. Most of their feeding consists of the plant parts below ground.

The breeding period for these vociferous critters is spring. The gestation period is estimated at three weeks. Litters average around five. Sometimes there are two litters per season. In late summer of the same year, the young disperse to create their own homes.

Run a hose from your vehicle’s exhaust pipe to the nearest gopher hole. With engine running, start covering up the other gopher holes. If you live in a pro-gun state, have your shotgun handy.

Running a garden hose to the gopher complex seldom works, but it is worth a try; especially if the shotgun option is available to you.

Go to your hardware store and ask for advice. Keep in mind that the store clerk’s objective is to sell you something.

Drop gum down the gopher holes. It is rumored that it will mess up their internal organs.

Show them gay-themed, gopher movies (this one is a long shot).

Traps work when directions are followed.

Gopher bombs sometimes work when directions are followed. The problem is the several hundred feet of tunnels. The gas just isn't able to make it throughout the entire system.

Macabee traps are recommended by “everybody”. They work, but require work.

Moth Balls; apparently gophers don't like them. See comments for full description and attribution.

Use catch-them-alive traps. Then take them far, far away. See comments for full details and attribution.

More pending.

Place on top of fence post for the larger birds.

Give it to your cat.

Sell them on eBay. Important note: health laws may require that you take them to a taxidermist first.

Sprinkle hot spices where you don’t want the gophers to be.

Bury chicken-wire beneath where you don’t want the gophers to be.

Mix broken glass where you don’t want the gophers to be.

Do you have a method not listed here? Odds are that you do. This is a continually updated page for the listing of Gopher Kill Methods. If so inclined, add you method in the Comments Section below. If deemed worthy it will be included in future versions of this page. You do not have to be a HubPages member to make a Comments Section contribution. However, if you would like to join HubPages, you can do so here.