Gophers/ Pocket Gophers Cancel The title field is required!

1. Christopher Sorrell

   

   0 posts
   
   4/14/2012 8:04 AM

   How can you tell the difference between gophers and pocket gophers? There is a lot of activity on a course that I am considering managing, and I don't know which of these rodents is the culprit. Any information on their habits and behaviour, and the best way to kill them would be appreciated.

   
   
   
   
2. Andy Jorgensen

   

   1 posts
   
   4/14/2012 4:04 PM

   http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw081
   
   For pocket gophers, we use snare traps. See a mound, dig down to tunnel, set trap and wait. Tie a string to the trap and stake it in the ground so they won't pull the trap back into the tunnel.

   
   
   
   
3. Bear Doug A

   
   4/15/2012 9:04 AM

   I have caught hundreds at our course. What I do is get an old cup cutter and cut some jagged edges on the bottom to make it easier to get through the turf. I locate the tunnel by probing around the fresh mound with a long screwdriver. Once I find a tunnel, I'll cut down with the cup cutter and pull out the plug. If there is a tunnel going in two directions, set two spring traps, one going in each direction. I tie some irrigation wire on the trap to locate it later and so mowers don't disturb the area. Take the plug out of the cup cutter and gently set back in the hole to create darkness and check the next day. Darn near full proof. Once it comes back to tunnel out again, bang!