Gopher

Recommended Program Get a Free Quote Description Pocket gophers are medium-sized burrowing rodents. They vary in length from 7 to 13 inches. The color of their fur ranges from light brown to what appears to be black. Pocket gophers have poor eye sight which is compensated by other well developed senses. Gophers are well equipped

for a digging, tunneling lifestyle with powerfully built forequarters, large-clawed front paws, fine short fur that doesn't cake in wet soils, small eyes and small external ears, and highly sensitive facial whiskers to assist movements in the dark.

Habitat

Pocket gophers live in a burrow system that can cover an area of 200 to 2,000 square feet. The burrows are about 2-1/2 to 3-1/2 inches in diameter; feeding burrows are usually 6 to 12 inches below ground, whereas the nest and food storage chamber may be as deep as 6 feet. Gophers seal the openings to the burrow system with earthen plugs. Short, sloping lateral tunnels connect the main burrow system to the surface and are created during construction of the main tunnel for pushing dirt to the surface.

Mounds of fresh soil are the best sign of gopher presence.

Mounds are formed as the gopher digs its tunnel and pushes the loose dirt to the surface. Typically mounds are crescent- or horseshoe-shaped when viewed from above. The hole, which is off to one side of the mound, is usually plugged.

Diet

Pocket gophers are herbivorous, feeding on a wide variety of vegetation, but generally preferring herbaceous plants, shrubs, and trees. Gophers use their sense of smell to locate food. Most commonly they feed on roots and fleshy portions of plants they encounter while digging. However, sometimes they feed aboveground, venturing only a body length or so from their tunnel opening. Burrow openings used in this manner are called "feed holes." They are identified by the absence of a dirt mound and a circular band of clipped vegetation around the hole.

Gophers will also pull entire plants into their tunnel from below. In snow-covered regions gophers may feed on bark several feet up a tree by burrowing through the snow.

Life Cycle & Reproduction

Gophers reach sexual maturity at about 1 year of age and can live up to 3 years. Females produce one to three litters per year. Litters usually average five to six young.

Gophers do not hibernate and are active year-round, although fresh mounding may not be seen. They also can be active at all hours of the day. Gophers usually live alone within their burrow system, except for females with young or when breeding, and may occur in densities of up to 16 to 20 per acre.

Threat

Pocket gophers often invade yards and gardens, and feed on many garden crops, ornamental plants, vines, shrubs, and trees. A single gopher can inflict considerable damage in a very short time. Gophers also gnaw and damage plastic water lines and lawn sprinkler systems. Their tunnels can divert and carry off irrigation water and lead to soil erosion. Mounds on lawns interfere with mowing equipment and ruin the aesthetics of well-kept turf grass.

Gopher control and pest control services available in the cities and towns of UTAH including Alpine - American Fork - Bountiful - Brigham City - Cedar City - Centerville - Clearfield - Clinton - Draper - Farmington – Herriman - Highland - Holladay - Kaysville - Layton - Lehi – Lindon - Logan - Midvale - Murray – Nephi - Orem - Payson - Pleasant Grove - Provo - Riverton - Roy - Salt Lake City - Sandy - South Jordan - South Ogden - South Salt Lake - Spanish Fork - Springville - Taylorsville - Washington - West Jordan - West Valley City and other UTAH cities.