Garden Minute - Pocket Gopher Control

Pocket Gopher Control - January 22, 2019

This is Jason Lamb with your Gardening Minute.

Pocket gophers are common here in Quay County and are damaging to crops and vegetable gardens. They can chew up underground electric lines, water lines, and make unsightly mounds in lawns and gardens.

Pocket gophers are burrowing rodents, named because they have fur-lined cheek pouches on either side of their mouth in which they carry food. Their diet consists of forbs, grasses, shrubs, and even small trees.

Pocket gophers can be identified by the soil mounds they leave on the surface of the ground. The mounds are usually fan-shaped, and the tunnel entrances are plugged, keeping intruders out of their burrows. These gophers are often confused with other rodents like ground squirrels and prairie dogs. 

Pocket gophers are not protected in New Mexico by federal or state law. Controlling Pocket gophers can be problematic because of their vast tunneling systems. Trapping is a good way to control gophers on small areas. Toxicants and fumigants can also be used but must be placed in their tunnel systems. Many are restricted use and the user should read and follow the directions carefully. 

Pocket gophers can also be beneficial in certain areas and can increased soil fertility, increased soil aeration, and decreased soil compaction. So control should be considered on a case by case basis. 

For more information about pocket gopher control please contact us at the Cooperative Extension Office at 461-0562. This has been your Gardening Minute with Jason Lamb your Quay County Ag. Extension Agent. Where are programs are open to everyone.

(Adapted from NMSU Guild L-109- Controlling Pocket Gophers in New Mexico)