How To Keep Gophers Out Of Your Vegetable Garden In 2023

Gopher Proofing Your Garden from gopher.mywebcommunity.org

What Are Gophers?

Gophers are small mammals that feed mainly on roots, tubers, and other underground plant parts. They are found throughout North America and are particularly common in gardens and agricultural fields. Gophers are well-adapted to living in the soil and can cause a lot of damage to vegetable gardens if they are not kept out. They can destroy plants by eating their roots, and can also cause significant damage to irrigation and other garden structures.

How to Identify Gophers

Gophers are small, burrowing animals with small eyes, large front teeth, and short, furry tails. They range in size from about four to twelve inches and can be light brown, gray, or black. The most common species in North America is the pocket gopher, which is named for the fur-lined pockets on their cheeks. Gophers are most active during the day and can often be seen poking their heads out of their burrows.

How to Keep Gophers Out of Your Vegetable Garden in 2023

One of the best ways to keep gophers out of your vegetable garden in 2023 is to use exclusion techniques. You can use hardware cloth, which is a heavy-duty, galvanized steel mesh, to line the edges of your garden, as well as any raised beds or containers. This will help to prevent gophers from getting into your garden and damaging your plants.

Repellents

Another way to keep gophers out of your garden is to use repellents. There are a variety of repellents on the market that can be used to deter gophers from entering your garden. These repellents are usually available in a spray form and can be sprayed around the perimeter of your garden. Repellents typically contain ingredients such as garlic, peppermint, and other natural oils and are safe for use around children and pets.

Traps

Traps are another way to keep gophers out of your garden. There are several different types of traps available, including live traps and kill traps. Live traps are designed to capture the gopher without killing it, while kill traps are designed to humanely kill the gopher. Before using traps, you should check with your local wildlife agency to make sure that it is legal in your area.

Natural Predators

One of the best ways to keep gophers out of your garden is to encourage their natural predators. Gophers are preyed upon by a variety of animals, including cats, dogs, foxes, snakes, and owls. Encouraging these predators in your garden can help to keep gophers out and protect your plants.

Plantings

In addition to exclusion and repellent techniques, you can also use plantings to help keep gophers out of your garden. Plants such as marigolds, daffodils, and lavender can be planted around the edges of your garden to help deter gophers. These plants have strong scents that gophers don't like, so they will avoid areas where these plants are present.

Gopher Bait

Gopher bait is another option for keeping gophers out of your garden. Gopher bait is a special type of poison that is designed to attract and kill gophers. It should only be used as a last resort, as it can be harmful to other animals, such as pets and wildlife. It is also important to follow the directions carefully when using gopher bait.

Conclusion

Gophers can cause a lot of damage to vegetable gardens, but there are ways to keep them out. Exclusion techniques, such as installing hardware cloth, are one of the best ways to keep gophers out. Repellents and traps can also be used, as well as encouraging natural predators and using plantings. Gopher bait should be used only as a last resort, as it can be harmful to other animals. By following these tips, you can help to keep gophers out of your garden in 2023 and protect your plants.