Do you have gophers in your Bay Area yard? If so, you’re probably wondering how long it will take and how much it will cost to get rid of them.
In the Bay Area, the cost of gopher control depends on a few factors, including the size of your lot, the severity of the infestation, and the kind of treatment methods applied.
In this guide, we’ll outline what Bay Area homeowners usually pay for gopher control and what you can do to reduce the cost of managing gophers on your property over time.
Key Takeaways
- Gopher control pricing varies based on things like the number of gophers present and the type of control method a company is using.
- Addressing fresh gopher activity early can help protect your lawn, landscaping, and garden plants from further damage by reducing gopher populations before they can balloon out of control.
- Contact Smith’s Pest Management to learn more about our gopher control services and pricing: (408) 871-6988.
How Much Do Bay Area Homeowners Typically Pay to Get Rid of Gophers?
Curious what gopher control could cost in your area?
Here’s a general breakdown.
Keep in mind that all prices offered are approximate, and you’ll need to get a quote from the gopher control team for more exact pricing:
| Company | One-Time Service | Ongoing | What’s Included? |
| Smith’s Pest Management | $150–300 per visit, depending on lot size | Roughly $250–300 per month for comprehensive pest control services; pricing varies | Professional gopher and mole control. One-time service warranty terms apply |
| Got Gophers | A one-time setup fee of $375
Trapping costs $50 per critter. The per-critter rate drops to $40 for more than 3 critters and $30 for more than 5 |
A one-time setup fee of $375 applies
Monthly service starts at $180 for properties under 0.25 acres There are no additional trapping fees A minimum three-month commitment is required at signup Customers can pause and resume service throughout the year after meeting the initial commitment
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The service includes a 60-day callback window after the last visit, with no additional setup fee
After 60 days, a discounted $225 setup fee applies, and per-critter charges restart Technicians visit every 9–11 days for about 3–6 weeks Technicians visit twice per month and set as many traps as needed Customers can call or email about new activity between visits Monthly maintenance customers receive a response within 24 hours for new activity in areas of concern |
| Gopher Trapping Pros | No clear pricing available | No clear pricing available | Contact the company for treatment options and pricing |
| Mole Busters | Pricing requires an on-site property assessment | No clear pricing available | The company assesses the property before recommending treatment and providing a quote |
| Gopher Team | $300 flat fee, including the first gopher caught. Each additional animal costs $120. | Plans start at $95 per month and include 8 visits per year and unlimited additional service calls | One-time service includes trap setup and return visits. If new activity appears within 30 days after trap removal, the company returns without an additional service fee. Per-animal charges still apply |
| Ground Control | No clear pricing available | No clear pricing available | Contact the company for treatment options and a customized quote |
| Avalos Gopher Trapping | No clear pricing available | No clear pricing available | Contact the company for service details and pricing |
Factors That Affect the Cost of Gopher Control Services
1. Property Size and Layout
The size of your property is one of the most important factors in gopher control pricing.
Obviously, a small yard usually requires less inspection and treatment than a large lot with sprawling lawns, landscaping, and gardens.
Larger Bay Area properties, such as those in Los Altos Hills, Woodside, Portola Valley, and Hillsborough, may also be home to sloped terrain, retaining walls, dense landscaping, and hard-to-reach areas, which can make it harder for techs to locate active tunnels and burrows.
2. The Severity of the Infestation
The number of active tunnels, the extent of underground gopher activity, and the amount of affected landscaping all impact how much work you’ll need to invest in.
Fortunately, identifying the problem early usually makes it easier to manage and allows you to address the damage before gophers expand their systems and destroy your lawn.
If gophers have already been digging in your yard for months, your technician will spend more time locating active areas and determining an effective control strategy.
3. Treatment Method
The treatment method also affects the price of the job. Professional gopher control usually involves identifying active tunnels and using traps or other control methods, like baiting.
Because of this, avoid comparing estimates without checking what each provider actually includes. Instead, ask about the treatment method quoted, the number of visits they expect to perform, and any additional charges included in the quote.
4. Follow-Up Visits and Warranty Coverage
Sometimes it takes more than one visit to get rid of gophers, and additional appointments obviously come at an additional cost.
Warranty coverage is another factor that may affect service prices. Warranties can provide peace of mind when it comes to follow-up service, but they may run up your bill a bit.
5. Local Soil, Landscaping, and Seasonal Activity
Soil and landscape conditions vary across the Bay Area, from the larger residential properties in Los Altos Hills and Woodside to the hillside neighborhoods of Oakland and San Jose. Soil composition, moisture levels, and tree roots can all affect where gophers dig their tunnels and how easily pest control technicians can locate and treat them.
If you have an irrigated lawn, vegetable gardens, or lots of ornamental plantings, your yard may be uniquely attractive to gophers, since there will be plenty of food and shelter present.
With this in mind, it’s important to find a pest management company that bases control approaches on your property, rather than utilizing one-size-fits-all treatment styles.
How to Avoid Paying More for Gopher Control
1. Address the Problem Early On
Whatever you do, please don’t wait until your entire lawn is covered in dirt mounds to realize you need to hire a gopher control service.
The sooner you identify a gopher problem, the sooner you can start addressing it. This can help keep costs down, reduce additional damage, and get rid of gophers quickly.
2. Remove Gophers’ Food and Shelter
Make your yard as unattractive to gophers as possible by:
- Using wire baskets or gopher-resistant barriers whenever you plant new trees, shrubs, and bulbs.
- Inspecting garden beds and landscaped areas regularly for fresh mounds and signs of new gopher damage.
- Adding gopher barriers beneath raised beds to prevent pests from damaging plants from below.
3. Consider Ongoing Maintenance
If gophers are an ongoing problem on your property, consider investing in an annual gopher protection plan.
While this may seem more expensive upfront, it reduces the likelihood of needing expensive one-off, emergency treatments.
4. Hire Smith’s Pest Management
At Smith’s, we’re your local gopher trapping professionals – we’ll help you avoid ineffective treatments and unnecessary expenses.
Our techs are experts in local conditions, which means we have decades of gopher control experience to help you make informed decisions about treatment, follow-up, and prevention.
Dealing with a Gopher Problem? Call us Today!
Ready to find out what gopher control will likely cost for your yard?
Give our team a call today to learn more about our services and get your custom quote: (408) 871-6988.
FAQ
Is it cheaper to get rid of gophers yourself or hire a professional?
DIY gopher control may cost less upfront, but supplies like traps can be expensive, and the cost of getting it wrong is high (wounded animals, repeat infestations, etc.).
While professional control may require a higher upfront fee, it’s a better value over time – especially if your gopher problem is urgent.
Is monthly gopher control worth it?
Monthly gopher control may be a good investment if your property has a persistent gopher problem.
That said, monthly service isn’t right for every homeowner. If you’re considering investing, ask your tech about the specifics of the plan and what it could offer for your property.
When should I call a professional pest control company to get rid of gophers?
Contact the pros as soon as you notice signs of a gopher infestation.
The earlier you act to get rid of gophers, the easier it will be to control the pest population and prevent further damage.
What Does Smith’s Gopher Control Service Cost?
Our prices start at $150-$300 per visit for gopher and mole control services, with prices depending on lot size.
If you want to learn more about how we decide on pricing for our pest control services, check out this page.
For your peace of mind, we also offer a One-Time Gopher & Mole Service warranty.
What About Monthly Pest Control?
If your property has persistent pest activity throughout the year, you might want to consider monthly pest control rather than one-time services.
Smith’s Pest Protection Plan for Home and Yard provides comprehensive indoor and outdoor pest protection for about $250-$350 per month, depending on the size of the home.
Learn more about the plan here.
Keep in mind that comprehensive pest protection is not the same thing as dedicated, unlimited gopher trapping. With this in mind, ask your tech whether gopher and mole control is included in your plan, what follow-up service covers, and whether additional charges apply.
