This week I spoke with Paul, who was frustrated by the damage pocket gophers had caused to his lawn and gardens. If you’ve noticed fresh mounds, wilting plants, or collapsing turf, you may also be dealing with one of Minnesota’s most persistent underground pests. (Not to be confused with the thirteen-lined ground squirrel, which is a completely different species.) Reports from homeowners across Minnesota suggest gopher activity has been higher than usual this year, likely influenced by extended drought, warmer-than-average temperatures, and decreased food supply. These factors cause gophers to expand their tunnel systems more aggressively, leading to increased damage. Effective control requires understanding their seasonal activity, applying evidencebased measures, and knowing when to hire a professional.

Correct Identification

Pocket gophers create fan-shaped or crescent-shaped mounds with a plugged entrance off to one side. Moles, by contrast, leave symmetrical volcanoshaped mounds.

When Pocket Gophers Are Most Active

Pocket gopher activity follows clear seasonal patterns:

• Spring (March–May): Peak mound formation in moist soil. Fresh mounds may appear daily, making this the best time to trap.
• Summer (June–August): In drought or heat, gophers retreat deeper, often beyond 24 inches, reducing trap success.
• Fall (September–October): A second peak of activity as soil softens another prime trapping window.
• Winter: Activity slows but continues below frost depth in unfrozen soils.

Begin control within 48 hours of new mound formation, as gophers revisit feeding tunnels every 1–3 days. Waiting more than 72 hours reduces success by up to 40%.

Evidence-Based Control Measures

• Trapping: Most reliable method. Probe for the main tunnel 8–12 inches from the mound’s plug, set two traps facing opposite directions, cover the opening, and check daily.
• Baiting: Can work but poses risks to pets and wildlife. Effectiveness depends on soil moisture and tunnel accessibility.
• Exclusion: Hardware cloth buried 18–24 inches, raised beds lined with mesh, or rootguard baskets protect plants but do not reduce populations.

When to Hire a Professional

Professional wildlife control is often the best option when multiple mounds appear, DIY trapping fails, or reinvasion is constant. Professionals use advanced probing techniques, place traps precisely, and monitor activity over several visits.

For More Information

For researchbased guidance on managing pocket gophers , visit: https://naturalresources.extension.iastate.edu/encyclopedia/pocket-gophers-damage-management

By University of Minnesota Extension