Expert guidance from Southern California's chemical-free gopher control specialists.
909-599-4711 Book ServiceIf you have pets and need to control gophers, the safest option is professional mechanical trapping. But if you're researching options, here's what you need to know about gopher control methods and which are safe around pets.
Gopher trapping looks straightforward but requires experience to do effectively. Key challenges include:
Many homeowners try DIY trapping and get frustrated when they catch nothing, even though gopher activity is clearly present. The difference is technique, and it takes experience to develop it.
Professional gopher trappers typically use pincher-style traps or box-style traps placed directly inside the main tunnel. These must be placed correctly to be effective and are not dangerous to pets when properly installed inside active tunnels — gophers travel underground, not pets.
Note that surface-level snap traps or cage traps placed above ground are much less effective and carry risk of non-target catches. Professional in-tunnel trapping is the standard for licensed pest control operators.
Ultrasonic gopher repellers that you stick in the ground are widely sold but not scientifically proven to work. Most pest control professionals — and independent research — finds these devices ineffective for long-term gopher control. They may cause temporary disruption but gophers typically resume normal activity within days.
For reliable, pet-safe gopher removal, professional mechanical trapping from a licensed operator is the gold standard. Gopher Guys serves all of Southern California with chemical-free trapping backed by a 60-day guarantee. Get a free quote or call 909-599-4711.