Gophers Destroying Gazanias on a Slope: Shock-and-Awe Control

Winning the War Against Pocket Gophers

Gazanias on slopes are gopher magnets. Sonic devices fail. Escalate to proven methods:

Most Effective

• Maccabee traps (farm supply stores). Set in freshest tunnel (1–2 ft down). Bait with carrot tops/greens. Check daily.
• Road flares (smoke): Light, stuff in tunnel, seal entrance. Watch for escape hole—plug it. Repeat daily.
• Smoke bombs: Similar, less intense.

Less Reliable

• Flooding (tunnels too complex).
• Castor oil/detergent spray (kills gophers—questionable humanity).
• Cat litter, dog waste, human hair, bubble gum (psychological, inconsistent).

After Control

Replant gazanias from cuttings of survivors—they root fast in California sun. UC Davis gopher guide: PDF