Use of gopher traps is one of the more reliable forms of controlling gophers from ones compound. Gophers are similar to moles but their traps are somehow different and cannot be used interchangeably. Since both burrow the lawns and gardens, it is important to know which one of them one is trapping to use the right trap. Gopher feed on trees, shrubs, vines and garden crops. Gophers are also found in peri-urban towns. Below is an outline on how to set a gopher trap.
You will find gopher tunnels from about five inches below the ground level way down to a foot or lower. The shallow tunnels are used for hiding or feeling and are open most of the times. However, try to look for deeper tunnels when setting traps for these pests.
As stated earlier, feeding tunnels are shallow and living ones deeper into the soil. Gophers may stay temporary on the feeding tunnels and abandons them when they have exhausted food sources. They are thus not good for setting traps. You will find deeper ones by looking for soil mounds deposited on the surface. Unlike the moles, gophers deposit the soil asymmetrically and mostly in a crescent shape. This is because they push the soil with their foreheads when creating tunnels. Traps are best set here.
When you identify a tunnel, it is good to probe it to ensure it is active and set a trap deep into the network of tunnels. You can buy a gopher probe to do the job or improvise one of a metal rod. You can the dig up to a foot using the probe or a shovel. When you realize a sudden dip when probing, that is a tunnel. You can try poking deeper to look for deeper tunnels. Set the trap in the deeper tunnels.
There are several traps in the market that one can use the more common ones include chocker style box trap, and two pronged pincer style traps. Each of them comes with a users manual that gives step-by-step instructions about how to use the traps. The more the number of traps one uses the faster the rate of capturing gophers.
The most common brand is Macabee Pincer trap. It works well in living and feeding tunnels. One places the pocket trap in the tunnel on the way that gopher passes. One should follow the steps below when setting it up.
One should start by swinging the wire trigger from the under frame. He or she should then spread its jaws by pushing the thumbs down. From this point on uses the index finger to bring the trigger wire to the edge of the trap. Without letting the trap free, the straight end of the trigger wire is brought in through a hole in the silver plate. This puts pressure onto the wire so that it snaps when the gopher hits it.
You can widen the tunnel where you will set the tap by use of a shovel or a trowel. This is also desirable when you are placing two traps. Place trap on the widened area. If you a putting two traps, ensure they face opposite directions to be able to capture a gopher coming from either direction.
You will find gopher tunnels from about five inches below the ground level way down to a foot or lower. The shallow tunnels are used for hiding or feeling and are open most of the times. However, try to look for deeper tunnels when setting traps for these pests.
As stated earlier, feeding tunnels are shallow and living ones deeper into the soil. Gophers may stay temporary on the feeding tunnels and abandons them when they have exhausted food sources. They are thus not good for setting traps. You will find deeper ones by looking for soil mounds deposited on the surface. Unlike the moles, gophers deposit the soil asymmetrically and mostly in a crescent shape. This is because they push the soil with their foreheads when creating tunnels. Traps are best set here.
When you identify a tunnel, it is good to probe it to ensure it is active and set a trap deep into the network of tunnels. You can buy a gopher probe to do the job or improvise one of a metal rod. You can the dig up to a foot using the probe or a shovel. When you realize a sudden dip when probing, that is a tunnel. You can try poking deeper to look for deeper tunnels. Set the trap in the deeper tunnels.
There are several traps in the market that one can use the more common ones include chocker style box trap, and two pronged pincer style traps. Each of them comes with a users manual that gives step-by-step instructions about how to use the traps. The more the number of traps one uses the faster the rate of capturing gophers.
The most common brand is Macabee Pincer trap. It works well in living and feeding tunnels. One places the pocket trap in the tunnel on the way that gopher passes. One should follow the steps below when setting it up.
One should start by swinging the wire trigger from the under frame. He or she should then spread its jaws by pushing the thumbs down. From this point on uses the index finger to bring the trigger wire to the edge of the trap. Without letting the trap free, the straight end of the trigger wire is brought in through a hole in the silver plate. This puts pressure onto the wire so that it snaps when the gopher hits it.
You can widen the tunnel where you will set the tap by use of a shovel or a trowel. This is also desirable when you are placing two traps. Place trap on the widened area. If you a putting two traps, ensure they face opposite directions to be able to capture a gopher coming from either direction.
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