Pocket Gophers: Pocket Gophers: ddBiology and Damage Biology and Damage

MMManagementManagement

Jeff SchalauJeff SchalauAssociate Agent, ANRAssociate Agent, ANRAssociate Agent, ANRAssociate Agent, ANRUniversity of Arizona Cooperative ExtensionUniversity of Arizona Cooperative ExtensionYavapai CountyYavapai Countyp yp y

Gopher BiologyGopher BiologyGopher BiologyGopher Biology

Live in the soil spending a small amount of timeLive in the soil, spending a small amount of time above ground to feed, find new territory, or get around obstaclesaround obstacles3 species in Arizona 5 7 i h l ( i h il)5-7 inches long (without tail)Large headLong, sharp, chisel-like teeth Powerful front legs with long clawsPowerful front legs with long claws

Gopher Biology (cont.)Gopher Biology (cont.)Gopher Biology (cont.)Gopher Biology (cont.)

Short tail with tactile hairsPouches on both sides of head to hold food and soilHave one or two litters per year (usually 3-4 per litter)Soon after weaning, the young leave the nest and disperse above groundAdults live solitarily (except when mating)

FeedingFeedingFeedingFeeding

Plant FeedersRoots encountered undergroundSurface feeding a body length or so away from g y g yburrow openingsPulling plants into burrow from belowg p

Preferred Foods Include:lf lf dalfalfa, grasses, root crops, tap rooted

weeds, shrub roots, tree roots, garden cropscrops

Gopher BurrowsGopher Burrows

Control MethodsControl MethodsControl MethodsControl MethodsTrapping – excellentE l i d h li blExclusion – good where applicableBiocontrol – cats, dogs, snakesFumigants – marginalToxicants – not recommended for residential areas, secondary poisoningFlooding – rarely effective for residential areasgCultural Controls – destroy burrows, remove food, plant selectionRepellents - ineffective

FumigantsFumigantsFumigantsFumigants

Sonic Devices Are Not EffectiveSonic Devices Are Not EffectiveSonic Devices Are Not EffectiveSonic Devices Are Not Effective

TrappingTrappingTrappingTrappingLethal traps are the only effective methodLethal traps are the only effective method

How To Set A TrapHow To Set A TrapHow To Set A TrapHow To Set A Trap

Two traps wired to a stakeTwo traps wired to a stakeTwo traps wired to a stakeTwo traps wired to a stakeLocate main tunnel using probeLocate main tunnel using probeS i h di iS i h di iSet one trap in each directionSet one trap in each directionCover the holeCover the holeObliterate fresh moundsObliterate fresh moundsCheck the following dayCheck the following dayCheck the following dayCheck the following dayReset as neededReset as needed

Box TrapsBox TrapsBox TrapsBox Traps

ExclusionExclusionExclusionExclusion

ToxicantsToxicantsToxicantsToxicantsStrychnine on grainStrychnine on grain

ddOther products tooOther products tooCan be dangerous to Can be dangerous to nonnon--target organisms if target organisms if not used correctlynot used correctly

Cultural ControlsCultural ControlsCultural ControlsCultural Controls

Weed ControlWeed ControlWeed ControlWeed ControlFlooding only works Flooding only works when:when:when:when:

The entire field is floodedThe entire field is floodedS ilS ilSoils are porousSoils are porousGophers are below the Gophers are below the hi h khi h khigh water markhigh water mark

BiocontrolBiocontrolBiocontrolBiocontrol

Dogs/CatsDogs/CatsDogs/CatsDogs/CatsCoyotesCoyotesO lO lOwlsOwlsSnakesSnakes

Experimental DeviceExperimental DeviceExperimental DeviceExperimental Device

Repellents are IneffectiveRepellents are IneffectiveRepellents are IneffectiveRepellents are Ineffective

Gopher Purge (Gopher Purge (EuphorbiaEuphorbiaGopher Purge (Gopher Purge (Euphorbia Euphorbia lathyruslathyrus))Human HairHuman HairHuman HairHuman HairJuicy Fruit GumJuicy Fruit GumIrish Spring SoapIrish Spring SoapChocolate ExChocolate Ex--LaxLax??????