Gophers

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gophers in the garden

Gophers might look like harmless little diggers, but when it comes to your garden, they can do serious damage beneath the surface. These underground pests feed on roots, bulbs, tubers, and even bark—often destroying entire plants from below before you ever see a problem above ground.

Whether you’re managing a backyard vegetable garden or a food forest, gophers can quickly become a persistent, frustrating issue. Fortunately, there are natural, non-toxic ways to deter and manage them.

What Are Gophers?

Gophers (often referred to as pocket gophers) are burrowing rodents that live underground and are active year-round. They typically range from 5 to 14 inches in length and have powerful front claws, small eyes and ears, and short tails.

These solitary animals dig extensive tunnel systems and feed primarily on:

  • Roots and tubers
  • Bulbs and rhizomes
  • Vegetables like carrots, beets, potatoes
  • Grass and plant crowns
  • Young tree bark

Each gopher can create several mounds per day, and their tunneling can collapse garden beds and irrigation systems.

Signs of Gopher Activity

It’s not always easy to spot a gopher until damage is done, but here are the most common clues:

  • Fan-shaped or crescent-shaped mounds of soil (typically 12–18 inches wide)
  • Wilting or collapsing plants with roots chewed off underground
  • Sudden disappearance of small seedlings
  • Holes in the ground without visible entry/exit tunnels
  • Raised ridges in lawns or garden beds

Unlike moles, gophers don’t leave surface tunnels but do push soil up from their digging.

When Are Gophers Most Active?

Gophers are active year-round, but you’ll usually notice the most damage in spring and fall when the soil is moist and easier to dig. They’re also more visible during mating season (late winter to early spring) and after rainfall.

They are solitary animals, so if you spot multiple mounds, you’re likely dealing with more than one gopher.

What Plants Are Most At Risk?

Gophers tend to go after plants with tender, juicy roots and underground storage organs. Common targets include:

If you’re growing root crops or maintaining a young orchard, gopher control is essential.

Organic Ways to Get Rid of Gophers

There’s no one-size-fits-all solution for gophers, but combining a few natural methods usually provides the best results. Here are the top organic strategies to try:

✋ 1. Physical Barriers

Creating a physical barrier is one of the best ways to prevent gophers from accessing garden beds.

  • Raised beds with hardware cloth bottoms (1/4″ metal mesh) prevent tunneling from below
  • Underground fencing: Bury 1/4″ hardware cloth 18–24 inches deep and bend it outward at a 90° angle to deter digging
  • Bulb baskets: Use mesh baskets to protect flower or vegetable bulbs from being eaten

This method is especially helpful for high-value crops or young trees.

🌿 2. Gopher-Repelling Plants

Some plants naturally repel gophers. Plant these as borders or in areas where gopher activity is high:

  • Castor bean (Ricinus communis) – toxic to gophers (Note: toxic to humans and pets, too!)
  • Gopher spurge (Euphorbia lathyris) – also known as mole plant
  • Daffodils – contain toxic compounds gophers avoid
  • Garlic and onions – strong odors can help deter tunneling

Interplanting these with your vulnerable crops can offer added protection.

🪤 3. Trapping (Most Effective)

Trapping is the most reliable and humane method of control when done correctly.

  • Use cinch traps, box traps, or Macabee traps
  • Place traps inside a freshly dug tunnel or directly in a mound’s main passage
  • Cover with a board or bucket to block light
  • Check traps twice daily and remove deceased animals promptly

Note: Trapping is labor-intensive but very effective for small-scale gardens.

💧 4. Castor Oil Repellent

Castor oil granules or sprays are a natural way to irritate gophers’ digestive systems and drive them away.

  • Soak the soil around tunnels with castor oil solution
  • Reapply after heavy rains
  • Use in combination with other methods for best results

Available at most garden centers, this is one of the least harmful ways to discourage tunneling.

🔊 5. Sonic or Vibration Devices

Solar-powered or battery-operated gopher repellents that emit low-frequency vibrations can drive them away by disrupting their environment.

  • Install several units throughout the garden
  • Works best in open soil (clay-heavy or rocky soil may muffle vibrations)

While not always 100% effective, they are a good deterrent when paired with other strategies.

Prevention Tips for Long-Term Gopher Control

Gopher prevention is often easier than removal. Here are a few long-term strategies:

🔁 Rotate Crops and Monitor Regularly

  • Move vulnerable crops to different beds or containers each season
  • Check for new mounds weekly and act fast if spotted

🐈 Encourage Natural Predators

Owls, hawks, snakes, and cats all help control gopher populations. Attract beneficial predators by:

  • Installing owl boxes
  • Avoiding rodenticides that may poison predators
  • Leaving areas of natural habitat nearby (if possible)

🌾 Keep Perimeters Clear

Gophers prefer covered travel routes. Maintain a clean border around your garden:

  • Mow tall grass regularly
  • Remove dense weeds
  • Keep compost piles well-managed and away from sensitive crops

Companion Plants That Help Deter Gophers

Use these in your planting strategy:

  • Rosemary
  • Lavender
  • Daffodils
  • Marigolds
  • Castor bean (use caution around pets/kids)

These plants help form a barrier of strong scents or toxic compounds gophers don’t like.

Final Thoughts

Dealing with gophers takes patience and persistence, but by using a multi-pronged approach, you can protect your garden without resorting to poisons or harsh chemicals. Focus on prevention, observe your garden closely, and use a mix of physical, biological, and botanical strategies to reclaim your growing space.