Pocket gophers are medium sized burrowing rodents, often confused with moles. They get their name from the fur lined external pockets on the sides of their cheeks. Pocket gophers are a common yard pest, leaving behind unsightly mounds and eating plants and flowers.
What does a pocket gopher look like?
- Depending on the species, they range in size from 6-10 inches in length.
- Pocket gophers have a powerfully built front end with heavy claws for digging.
- Fur is fine and short and varies in color from yellowish brown to black.
- The pocket gopher has small eyes, small external ears, and highly sensitive facial whiskers.
- Small fur lined pockets on either side of the face are used to transport food and nesting materials.
Behavior
Gophers are active year round - they do not hibernate. They also can be active at all hours of the day. Gophers are solitary creatures except for mating cycles and females caring for young pups. There may be up to 16 to 20 pocket gophers per acre in effected areas.
Pocket gophers often invade lawns and flowerbeds but seem to prefer to live in rangeland, alfalfa fields, roadsides, introduced pastures and railroad rights-of-way. They feed mostly on roots of trees, grasses, alfalfa, dandelions, seeds, leaves, tender stems, tubers, and bulbs.
Burrows
Pocket gophers live in a burrow system that can cover an area of 200 to 2,000 square feet. Feeding burrows are usually 6 to 12 inches below ground, whereas the nest and food storage chamber may be as deep as 6 feet. Pocket gophers seal the entrances to the burrow system with earthen plugs.
What type of damage can pocket gophers cause?
Pocket gophers cause damage to lawns and gardens because of their feeding habits. Gophers dig and tunnel beneath plants and eat the roots. These rodents have also been known to pull entire plants down into their burrows. Just one pocket gopher moving down a row in a garden can cause significant damage. Pocket gophers can also cause damage to plastic water lines and sprinkler systems when they gnaw through the lines.
*For Pocket Gopher Control, please read our article on How To Get Rid of Pocket Gophers
We reccommend: Dr. T's Whole Control Whole Control works by coating the rodent's food with a castor oil substance. This causes stomach upset and eventually encourages these rodents to move on. Whole Control is applied using a hose end sprayer (comes with product).
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