5 Best Gopher Traps for 2023 | Catch Gophers

If your once beautiful lawn or garden is now filled with volcano-like soil mounds, you are probably in a gopher situation.

That said, you could also be experiencing a gopher attack if you have sudden unexplained plant loss or damage.

This is because the gophers may enter your property from an adjacent one while digging through their tunnels.

Gophers cause much damage to crops and other farming infrastructure, such as irrigation lines. It is best to control them as soon as possible to avoid further damage.

Initially – You may not notice the damage they are causing, but it will be evident as time goes by. The fact that gophers live underground makes it difficult to catch them.

There are various ways to get rid of gophers, but trapping is one of the safest and most effective.

If you have confirmed that you have gophers on your property, here are some of the best gopher traps you can buy.

Best Gopher Traps

1. Victor the Black Box Gopher Trap

This is one of the most highly effective gopher traps available, the box trap.

Unlike other gopher traps, this trap uses a loop-style chocker mechanism that instantly catches the gophers.

However, the effectiveness of this trap depends on how well you place it. It is, therefore, critical to follow the instructions given.

You start by locating the tunnels using a probe to set them up. Once you find it, dig a hole down to it and place the trap.

Ensure that the trap is in line with the straight portion of the tunnel. You should then cover the hole with dirt to make it look like part of the tunnel.

The trap quality is also an attractive factor. The combined use of weather-proof plastic and galvanized steel means that you can use the trap repeatedly for a long time.

Even more, you can use this trap on all soil types, including sandy soil.

You also don’t have to worry about the safety of your children or pets as they move around your lawn or garden.

This is because all the moving bits of the trap are underground, and it’s non-toxic.

2. GopherHawk Gopher Trapping Set

If you’re looking for a convenient trap to use, this is a great choice. 

The setup process for the trap is straightforward. You begin by identifying the tunnel location using the probe.

Next, use the wedge to make a hole in the trap position. Then set the trap and pull the black tube.

You will know that the trap has been activated when you see a yellow indicator. 

This trap’s visibility is both an advantage and a disadvantage. For the farmer, it makes it easier to locate in the yard.

On the other hand, it may attract curious children and pets who could try to pull it out and injure themselves.

Therefore, it’s advisable to keep children and pets away from the area of the lawn where the traps are set.

This Gopherhawk trap is made of high-quality plastic that resists corrosion and damage by weather elements. It also has stainless steel springs that do not rust. 

You can release and reset this trap multiple times until your property is gopher-free.

3. Victor 0611 Easy Set Gopher Trap

The dimensions of this trap make it easy to use.

With a narrow frame and short base, it easily penetrates tight gopher tunnels.

That way, you don’t have to dig through the soil. The trap also comes ready to use, having all its parts pre-assembled.

You can use this trap in any season as it is made of galvanized steel which is sturdy and rust-free.

Soil type is also not an issue, as the trap works excellently on any soil type your lawn may have.

You don’t have to agonize about potential injuries as the active parts of this trap are all tucked underground.

4. Cinch Gopher Trap with Marking Tunnels Flag Heavy-Duty

This trap gets rid of gophers and other rodents, such as moles, so you can avoid calling pest control.

The trap uses a quick-cinch mechanism which provides a fast and clean capture. It requires a bit of effort when setting up.

You have to widen the hole before placing it, hence needing to use a shovel or spade.

You also need to put it as deep inside the hole as possible to increase its effectiveness. 

The trap is made of heavy-duty steel, which gives it high resilience in all weather. You can use it to catch multiple gophers over a long duration.

The product kit also comes with flags for you to mark the placement spots.

5. The Original Black Hole Rodent and Gopher Trap

The cylindrical shape of this trap makes it easy to place the product directly into the gopher tunnel.

This makes it look like an extension of the tunnel, making it best to trap gophers.

Once the gophers enter the hole, the trap will trigger it, and the metal wiring quickly kills it. 

This trap does not require the use of bait. Also, once you have captured a gopher, you clean it up and set it back.

This black hole trap is rugged plastic resistant to rapid temperature changes, corrosion, and water.

This means that you can use it when it’s freezing or in a heavy downpour. The metal springs are also made of tough stainless steel.

Apart from catching gophers, you can also use their products to capture rats, moles, and other burrowing animals.

Factors to Consider When Buying a Gopher Trap

Here is what you need to look out for when picking your best gopher traps.

The Material Used for traps

Most gopher traps are either made of metal or plastic. The strongest and most durable ones are galvanized iron or stainless steel.

They are also more effective at killing rodents and will do so instantly.

The plastic ones work by trapping the rodent until the user releases them. This is a more humane option for pest control.

Also, plastic traps are typically less expensive than metal ones.

They are also less durable than metal traps and will need frequent replacement.

That said, good-quality plastic can withstand bad weather. Some traps, such as The Original Blackhole, combine both materials.

We also recommend wearing gloves while handling the traps in the yard.

Traps Size

If a trap is too big, gophers may manage to escape the noose. It is best to ensure that the trap you buy is sized for gophers.

Types of Traps

Wire Traps

A wire trap is a bunch of metal mixed with wires that are set to trigger when the gophers hit a certain wire in the trap. Find the hole and cover the top of the tunnel with the wire. Be careful setting this up, and make sure to follow the step by step information as they are not so easy to set up. This will prevent you from pinching yourself in the wire.

Box Traps

A box gopher traps are the traps where the little guy will get captured. You simply set it up, and the traps work by the gophers going inside. A box trap is ideal for putting at a gopher tunnel.

Sensitivity

The more sensitive a trap, the higher the chances of catching the gophers. Traps made of stainless steel have high sensitivity, making them more effective.

The traps work as the animal goes inside, the mechanism of the trap will trigger closing the door, and you get yourself a gopher inside the mini cage.

Safety

If you have pets and children, it is best to get a safer trap. Considering how fast the traps react to any trigger, they are capable of causing great harm if mishandled.

It’s best to choose a trap that is mostly hidden underground. Avoid using traps that require chemicals or poisons.

This is because they would threaten other organisms in the soil, including the beneficial ones.

Also, your pets could die from the poison if they accidentally run into it.

When Is The Best Time To Set a Gopher Trap?

Gophers are more active in moderately high temperatures. Late spring or early summer is the perfect time to set your trap.

Once the temperatures lower, the gophers become less active and stick in one spot. This makes it challenging to capture them.

Plus, they create holes and tunnels under the ground by digging up dirt in your lawn. This makes it tough to handle unless you find the best gopher trap for your yard.

What Baits Can I Use In My Gopher Trap?

Gophers typically feed on grass, shrubs, and trees. If your trap requires you to use bait, use alfalfa greens, dandelion, or prickly pear cactus.

If those aren’t available, you can use household foods such as lettuce, carrots, apples, or peanut butter.

Whichever bait you choose, ensure that it is the only source of the said food. That way, the gophers will be attracted to it.

Consider the weather when choosing your gopher trap bait. If it’s raining, carrots or peanut butter will endure for a bit longer than other options.

Where Do You Place The Gopher Trap?

You should set your gopher trap at the top opening of the tunnel hole.

Depending on the size and type of your trap, you may need to dig through the soil first.

In addition, it is best to set two traps, one in each direction of the tunnel. This is because you may not know the direction the gophers will be headed.

How Often Should I Check The Gopher Traps?

Different traps become effective at varying lengths of time.

Check your traps’ manual to see how long the first catch will take.

That said, you should check your trap once or twice a day.

If you haven’t captured a gopher after two days, moving your trap to a different location is advisable.

Gopher control can take a few tries till you set the traps in the right tunnel, but once you get the equipment where the gophers are going, trapping will become the best way to remove the animal and not create another hole in the ground.

What Is Attracting Gophers To My Property?

Gophers are attracted to areas with food sources. Plants such as potatoes, radishes, and carrots are among their favorites.

They also like shrubs, grasses, and flowers, such as tulips.

Clay soil is also attractive to gophers due to its moist nature, which they love.

It is also best for their burrowing activity as it has fewer chances of caving.

On the other hand, Sandy soils have poor moisture retention and can easily cave in. The gophers, therefore, tend to avoid them.

What Plants Won’t Gophers Eat?

Planting crops that gophers do not eat is an excellent way to prevent them from digging in your ground.

You can consider planting onions or garlic as they won’t bother eating them. For your flower garden, daffodils are a good option.

The best pest control would be to have plants that repel the gophers.

They include rosemary, lavender, gopher spurge, catmint, and marigolds.

Apart from keeping gophers away, they might also help control insects such as the pesky mosquito.

What Type Of Damage Do Gophers Cause?

1. Gophers cause damage to your plants by eating the roots. If not controlled, they could lead to the death of your plants. In addition, they could feed on the bulb plants you may have in your garden.
   
2. Apart from harming plants, gophers also damage irrigation systems and even electrical lines by chewing on the wire.
   
3. Gophers are carriers of diseases. If bitten by a gopher, you could get rabies as they carry it without any visible symptoms. Other diseases include monkeypox, plague, and hantavirus. However, they are rare to transmit these diseases to humans because they are always under the ground.
   
4. They can transmit ticks and fleas, which could attack your outdoor pets.
   
5. The dirt mounds could cause a walking hazard. When walking around your lawn or garden, your foot could get caught in the holes, causing you to twist your ankle.

Conclusion

With any of our five best gopher traps, your gopher trap problem should be solved soon. Choose the top trap that you prefer considering the factors outlined. 

It is essential to note that this is not an instant method, but it is very efficient. You need to be patient before you manage to catch all the gophers in your area.

Additionally, if your property is large and you are taking too long to eliminate them, consider combining trapping with other control methods.

Lastly, you can seek the services of a gopher control expert to get personalized advice.

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