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Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration |
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PEST MANAGEMENTPocket GophersOver the past few years pocket gophers have become a serious problem for many Prairie farmers. These rodents are especially prevalent in pasture and haylands where they kill plants by eating their fleshy roots. As the pocket gopher searches for underground roots, it builds extensive burrow systems which may extend up to 800 feet. The soil excavated from these burrows is pushed to the soil surface forming mounds. These mounds can suffocate plant material as well as damage farm machinery. One animal may make up to 50 mounds per year, causing substantial damage to crops.
DescriptionPocket gophers are burrowing rodents which are characterized by their fur lined external cheek pouches. They are commonly referred to as "moles" and should not be confused with the common ground squirrel or "gopher" which does not have external cheek pouches. Pocket gophers only rarely come above ground, and when they do, they are extremely cautious. They are usually from 7-9" long, and from light to dark brown in colour. They have very small eyes, and ears are almost absent. Their front limbs are very muscular and have large claws which are used for tunnel building. They are solitary rodents, with one animal per burrow system except during the spring when females are raising their young. The female has one litter of 4-6 during late May or June.ControlHerbicides: One effective method of preventing and reducing gopher populations is achieved by reducing their food source. Since the gophers eat the fleshy roots of broadleaf plants such as dandelions, the elimination of weeds on headlands, roadsides and cropland will reduce gopher populations.In the case of broadleaf crops such as alfalfa, other controls must be used. However, ensuring the surrounding land is free of broadleaf weeds can help prevent gopher invasions. Trapping: Trapping is labour intensive, but effective for small areas such as vegetable gardens. Traps, like all other control measures are most effective in the spring when mounds are newly formed and gopher populations are low. Two types of traps which have proven effective are the Guardian Gopher Trap and the Victor Gopher Getter. Both are widely available in Western Canada from most farm supply outlets and good hardware stores. Poisoning: Sulfur bombs are sometimes useful for rodents which have less extensive burrow systems, such as ground squirrels. However, for pocket gophers, gas bombs are not very effective because of their ability to close off the treated portion of the burrow and prevent the gas from moving throughout the burrow system. The best method for pocket gopher control is to use baits treated with strychnine. Several years of field tests have shown that a number of different types of bait materials may be used with good success. These include milo grain (premixed with strychnine), hulless oats or fresh carrot slices. The appropriate mixture of bait and poison is indicated on the strychnine label. Oats, carrots or other treated baits must be dried well before use or they may rot underground or fowl the application equipment. If carrot slices are used, slices should be at least 1 1/2" long to ensure they are chewed and not just stored in the fur lined pouches. Adding powdered sugar to the bait has been reported to make the baits more attractive.
Hand baiting is a process used to deposit poisoned bait directly into the established burrow. This can be accomplished by hand or by using a device called a "Gopher Getter Jr.". Mechanical borrow builders are tractor-drawn devices that build burrows and automatically deposit small quantities of bait at measured intervals in the artificial borrow. Pocket gophers readily enter these new uninhabited borrows and encounter the poisoned bait. These machines are best used in the spring or fall when the gophers are actively collecting food. The burrow builder is more effective when used on relatively level loam soils, free of rocks. For heavy clay soils, hand baiting is more effective.
The Western Canadian supplier of pocket gopher traps, Gopher
Getters and Burrow Builders
is: Many Rural Municipalities, farm equipment outlets and other farm supply agencies rent this equipment as well. |
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