If you’ve recently stepped outside to find your lawn full of random piles of dirt, sunken patches of grass, and mysteriously disappearing plants, you could have a gopher problem.
Here at Smith’s Pest Management, we’ve been providing gopher control services to Concord residents for decades, and we know how frustrating it is to watch these pests destroy the yard you work so hard to maintain.
In this blog, we’ve gathered our top tips and tricks to help you understand what’s going on and what to do next.
Key Takeaways
- Signs that gophers are present include fresh soil mounds, dying or disappearing plants, soft or sinking soil, destroyed irrigation lines, and raised ridges in your lawn.
- If you think you have gophers in your yard, confirm which mounds are active, avoid quick fixes, and consider which (if any) DIY tactics are right for you.
- The fastest and most effective way to get rid of gophers is to contact Smith’s Pest Management: 925-318-7213
5 Signs Gophers are Destroying Your Yard
Gophers are burrowing rodents that spend most of their lives underground, munching on roots and creating expansive tunnel systems.
Here are a few signs that you may have a gopher infestation in your yard:
1. Fresh Soil Mounds
Unlike mole mounds, which are neat and conical, gopher mounds have a fan-shaped appearance with a small exit hole plugged on the side.
New mounds typically appear overnight, especially after you’ve watered your lawn heavily.
The soil in fresh mounds is typically darker than older mounds that have dried out.
2. Dying or Disappearing Plants
Unlike some burrowing animals that eat insects or grubs, gophers eat vegetation.
That means that they’re likely attacking your shrubs, flowers, trees, and vegetables from below.
When this happens, you may notice:
- Plants pulled all the way underground
- Roots gnawed off cleanly at ground level
- Plants that are suddenly wilted despite consistent watering
3. Soft or Sinking Soil
As gophers dig and expand their tunnels, the soil above becomes unstable.
You might notice that your lawn feels spongy underfoot, or that there are sunken depressions where tunnels have collapsed.
Besides ruining your lawn’s appearance, these uneven areas can become trip hazards if you don’t address them.
4. Destroyed Irrigation Lines
Gophers don’t limit themselves to eating plants: they also chew through drip irrigation and sprinkler lines.
If you’re noticing that your watering is suddenly uneven or that your lawn now has unexplained dry spots, gophers could be the culprit.
5. Raised Lines in the Soil
As gophers dig their underground tunnels, they leave small raised lines on the top of the soil. These tend to be most visible first thing in the morning or after you’ve irrigated your lawn.
Signs it’s NOT Gophers
Keep in mind that not every mound or tunnel indicates the presence of gophers.
Here’s a quick overview of some of the most common burrowing pests and the signs they leave behind:
| Animal | Sign | What it Means |
| Gophers | Fan-shaped dirt mounds with a plug | Gophers are making tunnels to feed on plant matter and roots underground |
| Moles | Volcano-shaped mounds with no plugs | These critters prefer to eat insects, and usually aren’t known to damage plants |
| Voles | Open, shallow holes and grassy runways | Voles are small rodents that aren’t known for digging or making large dirt mounds |
| Ground Squirrels | Larger, open holes that are visible above-ground | These are some of the largest burrowing mammals, and they’re known to create large mounds |
What to Do Next
Once you’ve determined that you have gophers in your yard, here are a few steps to take to get rid of these persistent little critters:
1. Locate Active Mounds
Keep in mind that not every gopher mound indicates an active infestation.
Here’s how to check if gophers are currently using said mound:
- Gently open the mound with a shovel or spade and mark it with a small flag.
- Come back in 24–48 hours. If the mound has been repaired or plugged, the gophers are alive and busy.
- Track where fresh mounds are appearing over a few days.
This simple step helps you gauge the severity of the infestation before you take action.
2. Avoid Quick Fixes
You may have seen gadget-style repellents, flooding tricks, castor oil treatments, or DIY deterrents online.
Unfortunately, most of these don’t work. In fact, some tactics – like flooding or insecticide bombs – can damage your yard or violate California pest control regulations.
At Smith’s, we only use methods that are proven to work while also being safe for your family, pets, and landscaping.
3. Decide if DIY Tactics Make Sense for You
If the infestation is very minimal or isolated, you may be able to get away with DIY tactics like trapping and exclusion.
Keep in mind that gophers reproduce quickly, though, and an infestation that starts as a few tunnels can quickly become widespread and hard to get rid of.
If you’ve noticed signs like multiple fresh mounds, spreading plant damage, or dripping or leaking irrigation lines, it’s clear that it’s time to call in the pros.
4. Call Smith’s Pest Management
Whether you need help confirming that the damage you’re noticing really is from gophers or you want to create a targeted removal plan, Smith’s Pest Management is here for you.
When it comes to gophers, our team doesn’t guess: we locate active tunnels, assess the severity of an infestation, and attack it accordingly.
Here’s the process our team takes to get rid of gophers:
- Expose Gopher Tunnels. Our technicians identify active gopher tunnels, open a small section, and set a professional-grade stainless steel trap inside.
- Mark Trap Locations. After the trap is set, we cover the opening and mark it with flags. We prefer to use trapping rather than poisons because it works faster, costs less, and poses no risk to the surrounding environment.
- Remove Gophers from the Property. Our techs will return within a few days to remove empty traps and reset them as needed.
Don’t Let Gopher Damage Destroy Your Yard – We’re Here to Help!
Gophers are no joke in Concord yards.
From fresh mounds and sunken soil to disappearing plants and broken irrigation lines, their damage can escalate quickly – unless you act fast.
Fortunately, Smith’s Pest Management is ready to help.
Give our team a call today to learn more about our services or request your quote: 925-318-7213
Why are gophers so common in Concord?
Gophers are common in Concord, CA, because the area offers everything they need to thrive. The city’s soft, loamy soil is easy to tunnel through, and Concord’s mild climate allows gophers to stay active most of the year.
The city’s open spaces, like Markham Nature Park, provide natural habitat, while well-watered lawns and gardens in surrounding neighborhoods offer easy food sources.
This mix of open land, fertile soil, and irrigated landscaping makes Concord a perfect environment for gophers.
When are gophers most active in Concord?
Gophers tend to be most noticeable in spring and fall, when soil conditions are ideal for tunneling and finding food.
How fast can gophers damage my lawn?
Fast! Gophers can make their presence known in just a few days. The sooner you address the problem, the better – waiting only gives gophers more time to destroy your property.
