How to Stop Gophers From Eating Flower Bulbs

Gophers are known to quickly destroy fruit, vegetable and flower gardens. Since gophers live underground, controlling them is generally more difficult than above-ground pests. The control measures needed to repel gophers from your garden differ from case to case, but natural repellents sometimes get the job done. However, more invasive techniques are often needed to get rid of gopher problems.

Things You'll Need

• Fabric softener sheets
• Coffee grounds
• Used cat litter
• Hose
• Gopher trap
• Radio

Instructions

1. Dump repellents in an opening of the gopher tunnel and block the hole off with dirt. Repellents that may work include fabric softener sheets, coffee grounds and used cat litter. Gophers have a strong sense of smell, so these strong scents overwhelms them and causes them to relocate. Also, try surrounding the flowerbed with these items.

2. Set up a rodent trap near the hole of the gopher's tunnel if the repellents are not effective. If you cannot find the hole, dig one in the center of its tunnel. Flood the tunnel with water, using a garden hose, until the gopher runs out. As long as the tunnel only has one exit hole, the gopher will run out of the tunnel, straight into the trap.

3. Place a radio next to the garden and let it play at all times with the speakers against the ground. The human noise may be enough to keep the gophers away. It may be best to place the radio in a waterproof plastic bag to protect it from moisture.

References

• Pest Information: Gophers
• University of California Integrated Pest Management Program: Gophers