WHAT is this wretched beast?!

[ARgardener]

bringing back the mulch then

[zeuspaul]

The problem with mulch is it makes it more difficult to find and trap a gopher. The mounds may be hidden under the mulch making it difficult to see.

Originally Posted by ARgardener

Does removing mulch help with gophers?? When I thought it was voles, a friend instructed pulling away mulch would help. Being that it's not voles, and that it's 90* daily now.. I'd prefer to mulch if it wont have a negative impact.

What do y'all say??

[AlittleSalt]

Originally Posted by ARgardener

Does removing mulch help with gophers?? When I thought it was voles, a friend instructed pulling away mulch would help. Being that it's not voles, and that it's 90* daily now.. I'd prefer to mulch if it wont have a negative impact.

What do y'all say??

A Boarder Collie loves hunting down moles voles and anything like them. It's instinctive. Ask our Boarder Collie

[ARgardener]

Lost 5 peppers, 1 eggplant, and one roselle last night.

WHAT CAN I DO?! I know people say trapping... but these guys arent making big mounds/ holes/ plugs. I dont even think they're coming up?!

[ARgardener]

I was wondering if going up and down my rows stabbing the ground every few inches with my potato fork might work?? I may be lucky enough to kill one, but at the least I'd be disrupting their tunnel systems and I'd be a nuisance. I wonder if I should pack the soil afterwards.. wouldnt want freshly loosened soil to attract em to return.

[Old School]

Not sure what you have. I found a big pile of dirt outside my perennial flower bed today. The hole is maybe 3 inches around and appears to be similar size to a chipmunk burrow I know they have elsewhere in the yard. I'm thinking maybe dynamite. I'm sure Bill Murray would agree

Edit: Hey I like that pitchfork idea. I don't have one but I do have a garden fork with some heavy duty tines on it.

[jillian]

I'm sure I would pass flat out if entire plants started disappearing.
Gosh I feel for you, by golly I hope you get it figured out soon!

[ARgardener]

UPDATE:

I spent the day digging around the "crime scenes"... 6" down there are v large tunnels at least 3 inches across. Found 3 pr 4 good entry points and proceeded to unleash a barrage of 2-minute smoke grenades, firecrackers, etc... trying all I can to annoy the tar out of these things.

[zeuspaul]

I feel your pain. That is bigger than anything I have around here. Smoke grenades might work. You could also try dry ice.

Originally Posted by ARgardener

UPDATE:

I spent the day digging around the "crime scenes"... 6" down there are v large tunnels at least 3 inches across. Found 3 pr 4 good entry points and proceeded to unleash a barrage of 2-minute smoke grenades, firecrackers, etc... trying all I can to annoy the tar out of these things.

[ARgardener]

Wonder what tilling between rows deeply would do... every few weeks??

[Worth1]

Originally Posted by ARgardener

Wonder what tilling between rows deeply would do... every few weeks??

Nothing.
I used to have gopher bombs.
Poison gas.
Have no idea what it was.
Worth

[ARgardener]

I read some .edu agri publications that mention deep tilling as a technique. I have a tiller and gas... so nothing to lose. lol.

[Worth1]

Go Go Gophers cartoon.

[Nan_PA_6b]

Originally Posted by zeuspaul

... I set traps the same day I see evidence...

What kind of traps?

Nan

[zeuspaul]

Originally Posted by Nan_PA_6b

What kind of traps?

Nan

I use the Victor blackbox gopher traps.
https://www.amazon.com/Victor-Black-.../dp/B000FBMFDO

I think they may be too small for this monster gopher or whatever it is. I have tried several traps and like this one best.

I prefer traps because I get a body count and don't want to risk secondary kill with poison.

You get the best results placing the traps after fresh activity.

Set a hair trigger for whatever trap you use. Gophers can be very gentle with dirt so the trap has to spring with the slightest touch.