Gopher & squirrel help!!!!

[monkey]

My yard is being overrun with the little pests. There are so many tunnels underground that my front yard is starting to seriously sink. They have ruined my lawn, but that doesn't bother me as much as the damage underground the that I am losing the whole yard. There must be hundreds of them. Does anyone have any suggestions? I hate to poison them, but don't see an alternative. Any suggestions, please?
For you wise guys, I will NOT make a stew of them. http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/freak.gif

[Yosemite Joy]

I would say poison, but I am a cruel, cruel human. http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/sad3.gif

[Kahlua Kid]

Kitty cats...

[Yosemite Joy]

Originally posted by Kahlua Kid:
Kitty cats...

I hear that. I will loan you mine if you want. She loves gophers.. she puts her paw down the holes and stalks them. *Jaws musak*

[Yosemite Joy]

http://www.critter-repellent.com/gopher/how-to-get-rid-of-gophers.php

[Mibrew]

Fox pee http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/yes.gif

I love birds, and enjoy their beauty and songs, so I really dont want cats around killing my birdy's and dragging strange dead creatures around the house, so use the Fox pee

[beautiful_mess38]

I have cats for that.

How in the h*ll do you get fox pee? Do they sell it at raley's http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/rofl5.gif

[Mibrew]

Pee for everyone, this is your pee connection, we have pee everywhere, we even have Butterfly pee, yes thats right...Butterfly pee...

We are currently working on aquiring Ant Pee http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/wink3.gif

pee connection (http://www.predatorpee.com/)

[honeybee]

I have the same problem. There are literally hundreds of squirrels that invade my yard every summer. They are not only destructive, but there are so many that within a couple of summer months they start to look skinny and diseased. Not comforting when they lounge on your patios and drink from your pets water bowls. I don't blame the little guys, they just want to survive, but there are just too many for them to be healthy, and I don't want to chance the diseases they are known to carry.

My cat loves to eat them, but he is no match for the oodles and oodles of them, he just can't keep up. If you truly are infested like we are, you know how futile the cat thing can be. Poisoning them, if you have any pets that have access to the outdoors, is just not an option as the squirrels/gophers that come above ground to die make a dangerous meal.

I have found that the most efficient yet humane way to rid yourself of gophers and squirrels is by gassing them. I bought a rubber device at True Value, which is quite effective. One end slips over the exhaust pipe of your car and the other to a garden hose. You stick the hose down a squirrel/gopher hole, turn on your car and the carbon monoxide makes them fall "asleep" for good. You have to be sure to fill the main hole around the hose with dirt so the carbon monoxide can't escape. Also, ground squirrel burrows have many tunnels that come off them, up to a dozen or more, so you must fill each opening before you start the process, or again, much of the exhaust will escape. If you have an option, use the oldest car you have that has the stinkiest exhaust. I think the instructions say to let the car run about 20 minutes per hole.

Good luck!

[Californee Girl]

I gave in long ago. My cats bring gophers and mice to me every single day, but its still not enough. Those suckers are everywhere. I cant poison them not so much out of anti-cruelty, but because I dont want any form of poison around where my kid plays. I heard that stuffing m&ms down their holes will kill them, but Ive never tested that theory. Instead, I started putting all my plants in pots. http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/shrug.gif

[Nascar8Fan]

My words exactly KK >^..^< Mine do a great job keeping the critters under control.

Originally posted by Kahlua Kid:
Kitty cats...

[honeybee]

I would have to have a dozen cats to even dent the population.....truly infested

Originally posted by Nascar8Fan:
My words exactly KK >^..^< Mine do a great job keeping the critters under control.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Kahlua Kid:
Kitty cats... </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

[monkey]

Thanks for all the tips. I really don't want a bazillion cats around because I would feel so responsible for them and have to get them fixed, shots, etc. And believe me, it would take a bazillion cats to make a dent in the population. I also don't want to poison them because other animals might eat their dead little bodies and get sick also. I don't wanna shoot them 'cayuse I don t have a gun and don't want one. I was looking out the window at a new batch of squirrels born and watching them play with each other. I said to my husband, "oh, how cute they are, where a gun?" So, maybe fox pee is the way to go, if I can find it. I will check into it and let you all know how it works.
Or, maybe I could have you all over and give you mallets and we could all play "Whack a mole" in my front yard!

[wandaful]

"Wack a Mole" might be good. I talked to the county ag agent and he conceded that shooting them would work best if you don't want to use poison. We have put poison down and are watching closely to try to make sure none come above ground and die. I didn't know what else to do....a squirrel was plastered up against my front window the other day, staring at me....enough is enough.

[Peppermint Patti]

This seems to come up every year-and there is never a good answer. they live here too! I think the cats are the ultimate answer but as a part-timer I realize that is not the best answer. We have had some sucess with a mole/gopher battery powered stake from Gemplers.com that seems to put a dent in the population. You have to move it around every few weeks and keep the batteries up but it is not dangerous to pets so we like it.

[electroman]

I used to think ground squirrels were cute little animals, but as I see them destroy my yard and come into my garage and chew stuf up I see them for what they really are - they're just rats with fuzzy tails http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/angry.gif

[wandaful]

I agree, but I still feel guilty about murdering them and miss watching them play. I just keep telling myself it was necessary. And there are still quite a few left way out back. I just wonder what keeps our house from falling in one giant squirrel tunnel.

[wandaful]

You know, the M&M thing just might work....chocolate is toxic to other animals. Might be worth a try....wonder if it would have to be peanut M&Ms.

Originally posted by Californee Girl:
I gave in long ago. My cats bring gophers and mice to me every single day, but its still not enough. Those suckers are everywhere. I cant poison them not so much out of anti-cruelty, but because I dont want any form of poison around where my kid plays. I heard that stuffing m&ms down their holes will kill them, but Ive never tested that theory. Instead, I started putting all my plants in pots. http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/shrug.gif

[Mibrew]

Or ya just might attract some other creatures or bugs...

[Dodie]

Forget about containing them unless you have the metal gopher traps and use the poison which can be received at your soil conservation office. Plant all your plants in 1/2" aviary wire baskets to protect them, that goes for bulbs too! Buy it by the 50-100' rolls and cut the wire for the size and depth of the hole and then use a 3" nail to weave the cut sides and bottom together, place it in the hole, put your foot in to spread it around and start planting.Dodie

[electroman]

I checked out thepee connection (http://www.predatorpee.com/) place and they have the 'sampler pack'. It's got fox, wolf, coyote, bobcat, and mountain lion. Do you know if any one is actually better than the others? I think they'd all eat the little bastards if they had the chance.

[wandaful]

I was just reading up on it and it seems that bobcats are a major predator, so my assumption would be that would be the best.....a bit surprised that coyote wasn't. Our poisoning seems to have slowed them down, but don't think it is worth the worrying I've done about another critter getting poisoned.

[honeybee]

I gassed mine with my car and it worked great. Turned it into a squirrel ghost town around here. You do have to keep it up to keep them away, but it does work if you do.

[wandaful]

There are just so many holes and tunnels, I can't imagine how I could plug them all for the gassing to work.

[electroman]

I've taken up sitting on the porch just before sunrise in my underwear with a cup of coffee in one hand, a cig in the other, and a shotgun across my lap. I'll get the little bastards...

[wandaful]

I may have to resort to that. We were gone to the bay area for the long weekend and they have moved under our patio. I dumped a dirty ashtray down the hole, hoping to poison them.

[electroman]

I think I've actually got them under control. I've been watching them, finding their holes and feeding them oatmeal-dumping a cup or two into the main tunnel... then when they're comfy and feeling sated and secure I drop gas bombs into ALL their holes and plug them up with rocks. It's been a few days now with no sightings or evidence of activity and I used to see several every day. I'm keeping the shotgun warm just in case...

[Yosemite_Wolf]

Nothing works better on gophers thant CATS!! Toss the cats out side.... feed the cats just dry kibbles in the AM.. and when the cats get bored and hungry... Voila! they devise a new sport "gopher hunting". Just remember... don't get a soft heart and go feeding Lil Tigger a bunch of gourmet tinned cat food before tossing him out to play with the gophers. That shotgun best be reserved for Quail season.

[wandaful]

Speaking of which, when is quail season? Deer? Dove? A friend was just asking about deer season and I told her I had no idea and didn't think you could hunt anywhere around here, but now I am guessing that was a naive answer.
My problem is squirrels, not so much gophers, and the cats can't put a dent in the population.

[honeybee]

Originally posted by Yosemite_Wolf:
Nothing works better on gophers thant CATS!! Toss the cats out side.... feed the cats just dry kibbles in the AM.. and when the cats get bored and hungry... Voila! they devise a new sport "gopher hunting". Just remember... don't get a soft heart and go feeding Lil Tigger a bunch of gourmet tinned cat food before tossing him out to play with the gophers. That shotgun best be reserved for Quail season.

I have 5 acres, 2 of which I concider "my yard". It would take 15-20 cats to even be moderately effective. Who wants to "hire" that many cats. haha. Then they have to be fed in the winter. YIKES!

[monkey]

Originally posted by electroman:
I've taken up sitting on the porch just before sunrise in my underwear with a cup of coffee in one hand, a cig in the other, and a shotgun across my lap. I'll get the little bastards...
Is that you that's on my porch when I'm not home? Some days whenI get home from work I find gun shells, cigatette butts and men's thong underwear lying around http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/shocked.gif http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/laugh.gif

[Yosemite_Wolf]

Originally posted by wandaful:
Speaking of which, when is quail season? Deer? Dove? A friend was just asking about deer season and I told her I had no idea and didn't think you could hunt anywhere around here, but now I am guessing that was a naive answer.
My problem is squirrels, not so much gophers, and the cats can't put a dent in the population.

Its bow season for deer right now. I THINK that Bang Bang season opens for deer next weekend. Dove seasoned opened on 1 sept. Not sure about Quail.. but i sure could use a tasty bbq'd quail dinner.

[electroman]

Originally posted by monkey:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by electroman:
I've taken up sitting on the porch just before sunrise in my underwear with a cup of coffee in one hand, a cig in the other, and a shotgun across my lap. I'll get the little bastards...
Is that you that's on my porch when I'm not home? Some days whenI get home from work I find gun shells, cigatette butts and men's thong underwear lying around http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/shocked.gif http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/laugh.gif </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
OOPS!...uh, yeah... uh... can you send back the thong? (how embarrasing http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/embarassed.gif )

[SheilaMae]

We've been lucky enough to have had a rather large hawk take up residence here. Since then the squirrels and gophers have been few.
-Sheila

[Yosemite_Wolf]

Lucky you Sheila!

[monkey]

Originally posted by electroman:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by monkey:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by electroman:
I've taken up sitting on the porch just before sunrise in my underwear with a cup of coffee in one hand, a cig in the other, and a shotgun across my lap. I'll get the little bastards...
Is that you that's on my porch when I'm not home? Some days whenI get home from work I find gun shells, cigatette butts and men's thong underwear lying around http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/shocked.gif http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/laugh.gif </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
OOPS!...uh, yeah... uh... can you send back the thong? (how embarrasing http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/embarassed.gif ) </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Heck no I won't return it! It's hanging from the chandelier right now! http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/laugh.gif

[Yosemite_Wolf]

ooooh thats totally gross! http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/tongue.gif http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/cool4.gif

[BGW]

YW,

I agree with you on: Toss the cats out side.... feed the cats just dry kibbles in the AM.. and when the cats get bored and hungry... Voila! they devise a new sport "gopher hunting"., to a point. My semi-ferral cat catches and eats 5 or 6 critters a day. After devouring her latest conquest she runs in the house and grabs 3 or 4 bites of kibble and a drink of water. I had thought she was just trying to get the taste out of her mouth. Turns out there are ensigmes, amino acids and protiens in the kibble that they need to digest the 'wild game'.

Perhaps, a cat that doesn't require much house and people time is the answer.

Also, though I don't know how healthy this is, but a non-meat based kibble forces them to go in search of their daily meat requirements.

Honey Bee is right in that she would almost have to put a sign on the road saying "Dump Unwanted Kittens Here" My dogs take care of the backyard (1 acre) and the cat takes care of the front yard. But, I know many people don't like their dogs to be in charge of pest control.

And, even with such dilgent workers, I still get one or two rogue critters. They tend to show up right underneath a hanging bird feeder...go figure. Nothing like realizing you are attracting gophers instead of fighting them off. I now make sure the feeders are hung in places that have cement on the ground underneath them.

[Yosemite_Wolf]

bgirlsworld... can you send your cats over to show my worthless felines how to hunt gophers? If they dont get a bowl full of kibbles.. they are meowing up a storm. and my orange tabby... she's like "what no food? Ill just go eat out of one of my 5 other bowls up the parkway"

[BGW]

I think, the key is that my Itty Bitty is semi-ferral. She was born completely ferral and a little old lady turned her into a scrap cat...scraping off her dinner plates outside for the cat to have. The lady passed away which is how I can to have my little murderer. She is 5 or 6 yrs. old now and is still quite stand-offish with strangers and she has taken to coming and a snuggling for 3 1/2 seconds once a week or so. She is actually slightly more friendly than that, but as a rule, I hardly ever see her indoors and if I do, she's asleep in the rag box in the mudroom. I have recently moved her kibble bowl further inside the house to better monitor her existence. Being under 5lbs. she is still very much Hawk Food.

I think I was just lucky and since she was spayed a long time ago there will be no babies to pass her traits on to.

[electroman]

RUN! You furry little bastard!

[wandaful]

Awe, the poor little guy. Gotta do what ya gotta do, though.
Do you live next door to me? I heard shooting this afternoon. 10 shots right in a row, then 8 in a row....I guess I hope it was squirrels or gohpers meeting their maker.
I called Sierra Cares about a cat, but they never call back. Would really like a couple of ferral cats.

[electroman]

Nope, that wasn't me. I'm basically a gas and poison guy. I don't actually want to see them die, they're just too damn cute. http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/worried.gif I just don't want my house to slip into the abyss they are working hard to create, no doubt, as I sit here and type this post...

[wandaful]

You old softie!! http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/rolleyes2.gif I have the solution...birth control. We need to set traps and catch the males and cut their little balls off. http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/yes.gif
Another thought....the county ag agent said they usually return to the same dens.....what if one could somehow plug/fill them with concrete. Maybe blow post hole mix in and then some water???

[Nascar8Fan]

OMG!!! I cannot believe my eyes! I walked outside this morning and there are the BIGGEST damn gopher holes in my front yard! I swear it looks like the little sh** used a shovel out there!!! I have 5 cats outside, I guess they aren't doing their jobs!!! http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/rant420.gif Time for a new plan http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/yes.gif

[monkey]

I may have mistakenly come up with a solution. I bought a birdhouse in the shape of 2 side by side birds from my gift shop and hung it in a tree in the front yard. I was hoping to give a bird or two an easy home. Well, the birds have left it alone, but I have not seen a gopher since. After about 3 weeks, I moved it to the back yard frnce where I have been seeing the furry little bastards and whaddya know? Haven't seen them since. Our only guess is that the holes for the birds look like eyes and the gophers are scared off. And yes, the are now gophers in my front yard again now that the birdhouse is in the back. Now I need to get another one for the front and see if it works there again. So, if you are interested in the bird houses, they were priced at $24.95 but are now $59.95. http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/laugh.gif

[Kahlua Kid]

Originally posted by monkey:
So, if you are interested in the bird houses, they were priced at $24.95 but are now $59.95. http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/laugh.gif

Such the entrepreneur!!! Sorry though, our ferals are doing their jobs. There seems to be more gophers this year than the last 3 years.

Our one feral is catching almost one gopher a day. (And he won't come in at night to the Kitty Condo for food cause he's already full!)

[John @ 3300ft.]

My dog likes to dig after them.
Now it looks like I have 80lb. gophers... http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/shocked.gif

[BGW]

Originally posted by John @ 3300ft.:
My dog likes to dig after them.
Now it looks like I have 80lb. gophers... http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/shocked.gif

http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/rofl5.gif I too have gopher holes that could have given birth to Godzilla the Gopher!!

[Kahlua Kid]

Originally posted by John @ 3300ft.:
My dog likes to dig after them.
Now it looks like I have 80lb. gophers... http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/shocked.gif

http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/laugh.gif

We have toads living in some of our recently vacated (feral cats got 'em) gopher holes!

[wandaful]

Yep, I have the 80lb. holes too. I find the bird box idea intrigueing...wonder if one of those owls that the head turns would help. How high does the bird box hang? Wouldn't drawing something on a piece of thin plywood accomplish the same thing?

[father guido]

I have a little experience dealing with gophers and squirrels...traps and flares folks. Traps and flares.

[Newcomer]

I have a sure fire way of getting Gophers.

Required ingredients

1 Bottle Tequila
1 cup large garanulated salt
1-2 limes sliced
1 baseball bat

Step 1. Set up a chair approx 2ft from gopher hole.

Step 2. spread salt around rim of gopher hole

Step 3. Place Lime slices approx 8 inches outside of salt ring on ground

Step 4. Pour approx 4oz Tequila into hole.

Step 5. Sit on chair with baseball bat in hand

Soon the gopher will drink the Tequila poured in hole, when he/she wanders out for the lime SLAM IT with the bat.

If you miss have a shot of the Tequila yourself and sit and wait and try again.

This is a great way to pass the time until you get the gopher.


Hope this helps

P.S DO NOT use Tequila with a worm. The worm is an informant and if he slips into the hole he will let the gopher know whats up and you will never get him http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/laugh.gif

[Ironhorse]

http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/clown.gif http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/laugh.gif

[beautiful_mess38]

http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/shocked.gifmg: way to funny http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/rofl5.gif http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/drink.gif

[Yosemite_Wolf]

Originally posted by Newcomer:
I have a sure fire way of getting Gophers.

Required ingredients

1 Bottle Tequila
1 cup large garanulated salt
1-2 limes sliced
1 baseball bat

Step 1. Set up a chair approx 2ft from gopher hole.

Step 2. spread salt around rim of gopher hole

Step 3. Place Lime slices approx 8 inches outside of salt ring on ground

Step 4. Pour approx 4oz Tequila into hole.

Step 5. Sit on chair with baseball bat in hand

Soon the gopher will drink the Tequila poured in hole, when he/she wanders out for the lime SLAM IT with the bat.

If you miss have a shot of the Tequila yourself and sit and wait and try again.

This is a great way to pass the time until you get the gopher.


Hope this helps

P.S DO NOT use Tequila with a worm. The worm is an informant and if he slips into the hole he will let the gopher know whats up and you will never get him http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/laugh.gif

You can catch a "Messy" this way too.. but PLEASE omit the basebal bat http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/rofl5.gif

[Isah Moore]

I'm going to give this a go...
Experimental Gopher Control Device (http://ag.arizona.edu/yavapai/anr/hort/gopher/experimentaldevice.html)

[monkey]

My birdhouse still seems to be keeping them away. http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/shocked.gif I tried to order more from the company, but they are discontinued, so now I have to move the one I have back and forth from the front and back yards.

[John @ 3300ft.]

Originally posted by monkey:
My birdhouse still seems to be keeping them away. http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/shocked.gif I tried to order more from the company, but they are discontinued, so now I have to move the one I have back and forth from the front and back yards.
I don't think mammals that live underground are going to have very good eyesight... http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/rolleyes2.gif

[monkey]

Yea, but they gotta come up sometime. Last year, I had the varmints everywhere and this year I rarely see them. When I do, I put out the birdhouse and they disappear. I don't know why, but something is working. http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/tongue.gif

[BGW]

http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/laugh.gif The is a seemingly generic looking Western Home on Metcalf Gap in Ahwahnee; what makes it stand out and be noticed is that above the garage someone has painted a very large set of eyes. I am thinking they are 2 or 3 feet i size each. I had often wondered the reasoning behind them!! Then a few years ago, it occured to me...this maybe keeping the woodpeckers and other critters at bay. http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/laugh.gif

[Kahlua Kid]

Oh Man - you got gophers - look at ours!!!

Came out this morning and...

[Kahlua Kid]

Just kidding... its our newly planted pumpkin patch. We'll see if this works out or not! PUt in all kinds... Lumina(white), Kakai (Japanese green striped), COnnecticut Field (regular Jack-O-Lantern Type, Grey (From Australia), Atlantic Giants (get to 1,000 pounds when you grow them all year long and know how - which I don't!), Big Max, Bat Man (Half-black, half-orange), Peanut (white and bumpy), Mini Pumpkins, Small Sugar, Valenciano and others...

Can't wait - if they turn out this will be cool!

[monkey]

Dang! You guys sure must love dem punkins.

[Summer]

Hope your pumpkins survive! I love pumpkins - used to "germinate" them in wet paper towels, then transplant to a small container with soil and then after they sprouted about 3" would put them in the ground (around lst of June). Would plant around six plants. Come Oct. (if we were lucky) we would get a pumpkin or two. One year my grandson did the whole process (he was about 5 yrs. at the time). He worked so hard and watered them several times a week. When Oct. came and no pumpkins sprouted I went to the market, bought several and layed them among the vines. I know, I know, it was cheating, but heck no one knew the difference! I am curious how yours fare with the gophers KK. I would like to grow some next year. But I have a bazillion gopher holes - don't think they will last!

[Kahlua Kid]

[quote] He worked so hard and watered them several times a week. When Oct. came and no pumpkins sprouted I went to the market, bought several and layed them among the vines. I know, I know, it was cheating, but heck no one knew the difference!

How cute! I love that you did that for him. He was supposed to have pumpkins - I think that's an awesome story!

We'll see - have never tried to grow pumpkins before. But have done a vege garden or two.

We have gophers, but our feral cats are great at catching them. Man this year, they've almost had one a day... I think they are running out - good! Clean those holes out!