What can I put in a gopher hole to get rid of it?

Gophers may look small, but the damage they cause to Dallas lawns, gardens, and landscaping can feel enormous. These underground diggers create unsightly mounds, chew through plant roots, and weaken the soil structure with their tunnels. Homeowners often notice their grass or flowers suddenly dying, only to discover a hidden network of burrows below the surface. When frustration sets in, the first thought is usually simple: what can I put in a gopher hole to make them leave?

The truth is that not everything you toss into a gopher hole will work, and some common remedies can actually harm your soil, pets, or other wildlife. Understanding which substances are safe and effective is key to solving the problem without creating new ones. This article breaks down what really works in gopher control, what to avoid, and why professional solutions often provide the most lasting results.

Understanding Gopher Behavior

Gophers are solitary rodents that spend nearly all their time underground, digging elaborate tunnel systems. Each tunnel serves a purpose, from storing food to nesting and traveling between feeding areas. Their powerful claws and sharp teeth allow them to chew through roots, tubers, and almost any vegetation they come across.

They are especially drawn to well-watered lawns and gardens because loose, moist soil makes digging easier. In Dallas neighborhoods, irrigation systems and neatly maintained yards provide perfect conditions for them to thrive. Once a gopher finds a spot that meets its needs, it will create multiple mounds as it pushes dirt to the surface while expanding its burrow network.

What makes them especially destructive is their feeding style. Gophers pull plants into their tunnels from below, often killing flowers, shrubs, or vegetables without being seen. Because they rarely emerge above ground, it’s easy to underestimate how many tunnels exist until the damage becomes widespread. This secretive nature is also what makes getting rid of them such a challenge.

Substances People Commonly Use (And Their Risks)

Toxic Baits and Poisons

One of the most common approaches homeowners take is dropping toxic baits or poison pellets directly into gopher holes. While these products can kill gophers, they also present serious risks to pets, children, and other wildlife that might come into contact with the poison. Birds, cats, and even neighborhood dogs can suffer secondary poisoning if they consume a poisoned gopher.

Another issue with toxic baits is that gophers don’t always take them. They may ignore or bury pellets, leaving toxins in your soil that remain long after the intended target is gone. This creates an unnecessary hazard without solving the root problem.

Gas Cartridges and Fumigants

Some homeowners try to smoke gophers out with gas cartridges or fumigants placed inside their tunnels. These products release toxic gas that fills the burrow, with the idea of suffocating the gopher. While this may occasionally work, the complexity of gopher tunnels means the gas often dissipates before reaching the animal.

Fumigation also carries risks for soil health and underground water sources, especially in residential neighborhoods. Improper use can expose people and pets to harmful fumes. As a result, fumigants are rarely recommended for safe, long-term control.

Household Remedies (Ammonia, Mothballs, Bleach)

DIY solutions like pouring ammonia, dropping mothballs, or even dumping bleach into gopher holes are often shared as “quick fixes.” Unfortunately, these methods usually don’t work and can be harmful to your yard. Mothballs, for instance, contain chemicals that can leach into the soil and contaminate the surrounding environment.

Bleach and ammonia are corrosive substances that not only fail to guarantee gopher removal but can also kill grass, damage plants, and pose safety risks to anyone handling them. These household chemicals provide more harm than help when used as gopher deterrents.

Safe and Effective Items to Place in Gopher Holes

• Castor Oil Granules
  Castor oil is one of the most widely recommended natural repellents for gophers. When sprinkled into holes and watered in, it coats the soil and makes the environment taste and smell unpleasant to them. This method is safe for pets and children while still pushing gophers to relocate.
• Garlic or Peppermint Oils
  Strong-smelling substances like garlic and peppermint oils are natural deterrents that irritate a gopher’s sensitive nose. By soaking cotton balls in the oil and placing them in holes, homeowners can make tunnels uninhabitable. Though not always a permanent fix, it can help drive gophers away from active burrows.
• Non-Toxic Repellent Pellets
  Commercially available repellent pellets are designed specifically for pests like gophers. These pellets use natural ingredients to create unpleasant conditions in the soil without introducing toxins. They are easy to apply, safe around gardens, and provide a longer-lasting solution than quick DIY remedies.
• Ultrasonic Devices Near Burrows
  Some devices emit vibrations or sound waves underground that disturb gophers and make their tunnels less comfortable. By inserting these close to burrows, they disrupt gopher activity and encourage relocation. While effectiveness may vary, they work best when paired with other control methods.

Physical Solutions That Work Better Than Hole Treatments

Traps Placed in Active Tunnels

Trapping is one of the most reliable ways to control gophers because it directly targets the animal rather than trying to make the burrow unlivable. By locating active tunnels and setting traps inside, homeowners can catch gophers as they move through their system. This method avoids the risks of poison and works faster than most repellents.

There are both humane and lethal traps available, giving homeowners options depending on their preference and local regulations. The key is proper placement, which can be tricky since gophers constantly build new tunnels. For best results, traps should be checked often and moved as needed.

Barrier Mesh or Hardware Cloth

Installing underground barriers is a proactive approach that prevents gophers from reaching valuable areas like gardens, flower beds, or tree roots. Mesh or hardware cloth can be buried 1–2 feet deep, creating a physical wall that gophers can’t chew through. While labor-intensive, this solution protects plants long-term.

Barriers are especially effective in raised garden beds or around new landscaping projects. Although they don’t remove gophers from your yard entirely, they reduce the damage to high-value areas. Once installed, they require little maintenance and act as a permanent safeguard.

Flooding Tunnels

Some homeowners try flushing gophers out of tunnels with water from a garden hose. This method can sometimes force a gopher to surface, but it rarely eliminates the entire problem. Most tunnel systems are extensive, and gophers can quickly escape to drier sections underground.

Flooding can also create muddy patches and damage your lawn if overused. While it may work for small or new infestations, it is not dependable as a standalone solution. In most cases, it only adds temporary disruption without preventing the gopher from returning.

Why DIY Hole Treatments Often Fail

Many homeowners assume that dropping something strong-smelling or toxic into a gopher hole will drive the animal away for good. While it may cause temporary disruption, gophers are resilient and often adapt quickly. Within days, they can seal off treated sections of their burrow and start digging new tunnels elsewhere in the yard.

Another reason DIY treatments fail is the way substances break down in soil. Scents and chemicals often lose their potency after a few days, making the effort short-lived. By the time you’ve treated one tunnel, the gopher may already be working on another, leaving you stuck in a cycle of repeating treatments without lasting results.

On top of that, DIY methods can create more risks than solutions. Household chemicals can damage grass, contaminate soil, or even harm pets and beneficial wildlife. Instead of solving the problem, many of these tactics simply mask it while the gopher population continues to grow underground.

Professional Alternatives with Lasting Results

• Expert Inspection and Tunnel Mapping
  Wildlife professionals know how to identify active tunnels quickly and accurately, something that can be difficult for homeowners. By mapping out the gopher’s network, they can target the right spots instead of wasting time on abandoned burrows. This precision makes removal faster and more effective.
• Targeted Trapping and Removal
  Licensed specialists use proven trapping techniques that are both safe and efficient. They understand gopher behavior and place traps in strategic areas to ensure a higher success rate. Unlike store-bought traps, professional methods minimize risks to pets and non-target animals.
• Long-Term Prevention Plans
  Professional services don’t just remove the current gopher, they also focus on preventing new infestations. This may include recommending barriers, habitat adjustments, or ongoing monitoring. By addressing the root cause, professionals help ensure your yard stays protected over the long run.

Conclusion: The Best Way Forward

Trying to solve a gopher problem by tossing random items into their holes may feel like a quick fix, but it rarely provides lasting relief. Most household remedies lose their effectiveness quickly, and poisons or chemicals create unnecessary risks for your yard, pets, and family. The frustration comes from chasing solutions that simply don’t match how gophers behave.

Safer alternatives like castor oil granules, peppermint oils, or non-toxic repellents can push gophers out temporarily, but they often need to be combined with other strategies. Traps, barriers, and consistent monitoring are far more reliable methods for real results. Even then, the persistence of gophers makes it hard for homeowners to stay ahead on their own.

That’s why professional wildlife removal offers the best long-term solution. Experts bring knowledge, tools, and preventive strategies that stop gophers in their tracks and help keep them from coming back. If your yard is showing signs of tunnels and mounds, contacting AAAC Wildlife Removal of Dallas can save you time, money, and endless frustration.

Take Back Your Yard Today

Don’t let gophers turn your lawn and garden into a maze of mounds and tunnels. The longer they’re left unchecked, the more damage they cause to plants, soil, and landscaping. Instead of wasting time with trial-and-error methods, call in the experts who know how to handle the problem right the first time.

At AAAC Wildlife Removal of Dallas, we specialize in safe, effective gopher removal tailored to your property. Our team not only removes the pests but also puts preventive measures in place to keep them from coming back. Contact us today to schedule an inspection and reclaim your yard from unwanted burrowers.