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Gophers may look small and harmless, but it doesn’t take long for them to tear up a yard. One week, your lawn looks fine, and the next, you’re dealing with dirt mounds, collapsing tunnels, and plants suddenly struggling because their roots have been chewed apart underground.
The frustrating part is that there’s rarely one fix that works for everyone. Some yards respond well to barriers or traps, while others need a mix of methods before the gophers finally move on. A trick that works in one garden may do almost nothing in another.
That’s why most people end up testing a few ideas before finding what actually helps. Some solutions are simple and fast, while others are better for keeping gophers away long term. From natural deterrents to physical barriers and old-school garden tricks, here are 20 ways people try to outsmart gophers and protect their yards.
1. Install Underground Fencing
If you’re serious about keeping gophers out, underground fencing is a solid long-term fix. You’ll need to dig a trench about 2 feet deep and line it with metal mesh with tiny holes (no bigger than ½ inches). Let some fencing stick out 6 to 12 inches above the ground so gophers can’t climb over it.
It’s a bit of work up front, but once it’s in place, you won’t have to worry about gophers tunneling into your garden anytime soon.
2. Use Gopher Baskets
These little wire baskets go right around the roots of your plants when you plant them. They let roots grow through but block gophers from chewing them. Gopher baskets are great for protecting delicate, high-value plants. Over time, they naturally break down in the soil, but your plant is usually strong enough to survive.
3. Build Raised Garden Beds
Raised beds give you more control and better protection from gophers. By lifting the garden off the ground, you block gophers from sneaking in from underneath. If you also add underground fencing, it becomes nearly impossible for gophers to get in. Plus, they just look nice and are easier on your back when gardening.
4. Plant Gopher-Repelling Plants
Some plants have smells that gophers don’t like. Daffodils,
They’re not a guaranteed fix, but they can help as part of a bigger plan. Plus, they add color and beauty to your garden.
5. Apply Castor Oil -Based Repellents
When castor oil mixes with soil, it messes with a gopher’s sense of smell and taste. You can buy it as a spray or in granular form and spread it across your lawn or garden.
It won’t hurt your plants or pets, but gophers find it gross and usually move away. Just reapply it after heavy rain or watering to keep it working.
6. Use Strong Scents
You can make simple repellents with strong-smelling items you have at home.
7. Use Masking Scents
Gophers usually avoid areas where they think predators live. You can mask your garden with scents like fox or coyote urine to trick gophers into thinking danger is nearby. These scents are available online or at garden stores. Remember to reapply after it rains and don’t overdo it, or your garden will smell awful.
8. Install Ultrasonic Devices
Ultrasonic repellents are small gadgets you stick into the ground to send sound waves and gentle vibrations that gophers find annoying. You won’t hear anything, but underground pests like gophers can sense it. Most of these devices are solar-powered, so they don’t need much maintenance.
However, they only work in a small area, and the sound doesn’t travel far underground. You’ll likely need more than one if you have a bigger yard. Also, gophers can sometimes get used to the sound over time, so it’s best to pair this method with others.
9. Use Wind-Powered Noise Makers
These are simple tools like pinwheels, spinning fans, or even metal cans tied to a string. When the wind blows, they rattle or spin, sending vibrations into the soil. Gophers don’t like the shaky ground or the unexpected noises, so they might move away.
But like ultrasonic repellents, there’s a catch. They only work when there’s wind, and even then, they only cover a small area. Gophers may just shift their tunnel a few feet over. So again, this is a helpful trick, but it’s more effective when combined with other methods.
10. Encourage Barn Owls
Barn owls love eating gophers; a family of owls can eat dozens of gophers each week. It’s a natural way to keep the population down, and it adds a cool wildlife element to your yard. If you live in a more rural area, consider putting up an owl box to attract these natural hunters.
11. Allow Pets to Patrol
Letting dogs or cats roam your yard can naturally deter gophers. Their scent alone can scare gophers away, and they’ll often chase after them if they spot movement. Just ensure your pets don’t dig up the garden while on patrol.
12. Flood Gopher Tunnels
Running water into active gopher tunnels can make them uncomfortable enough to leave or flush them out. Use a garden hose and aim for fresh tunnels. It might take a few tries to work, and you’ll want to be careful not to overwater your plants.
13. Apply Spicy Sprays
Mix hot sauce, cayenne,
14. Use Peppermint Oil
Soak cotton balls in
15. Insert Dryer Sheets
Stuff some dryer sheets in burrows and any openings in your garden. If there’s a gopher, dryer sheets’ strong, artificial smell messes with its senses. It’s not a permanent fix, but it can help reduce gopher activity while you work on a longer-term solution.
16. Set Live Traps
Live traps are a good option if you want to get rid of gophers without hurting them. Put fruit or vegetables in the trap and place it near an active tunnel. Once caught, take the gopher far from residential areas before releasing it. Make sure to check the trap often.
17. Employ Kill Traps
When things get out of hand and the gopher infestation becomes uncontrollable, kill traps are the most effective control method. Place them right into the active tunnels, and they’ll snap shut once triggered.
Always wear
18. Regularly Till the Soil
Breaking up the soil with a tiller or garden fork destroys gopher tunnels. If you do this before planting or a few times a year, your garden will no longer be a cozy habitat for them. It’s also a great way to prep your garden beds.
19. Remove Food Sources
This is more of a prevention method than a control. Don’t give gophers a reason to stick around in your garden. Pick your crops on time and clear away fallen fruits or leftover roots. The less food around, the less attractive your garden will be to them.
20. Monitor for New Activity
Stay on top of things by checking your yard regularly for new mounds or tunnel signs. Catching gopher activity early means you can take action before they do too much damage.
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