Why Trap Pocket Gophers?
Trapping gophers is the ONLY TRUE METHOD for eradicating these destructive rodents.
Anything with the exception of traps, will only stir up the gophers. Sure, occasionally you may get one or two, but you will never completely eradicate all the gophers using anything other than the traps. I've even seen trappers using traps, handling them improperly and causing more harm than good.
Chemicals, poisons, gasses, baits, will only waste time, money and cause additional tunneling.
Introducing water by flooding, garden hoses and other means will NEVER rid your property of gophers, it will however rid your property of the soil needed to maintain your foundation. Never use water in any amount. For those in areas where the soil has sand, you're on hillsides, etc., introducing water is insane! The foundation will become unstable and slip. Hillsides and homes can be destroyed, and the individual caught doing such practice can be held liable for those damages.
Noisemakers - how do I address these fairly? DO NOT BUY THESE! If a pocket gopher chooses to make her den under your outdoor air conditioning unit that makes noise day and night, why in the world would a small clicking sound that is only capable of emitting though dense soils in mere centimeters? This is one of those, "What were you thinking?" moments. Trust me, I'm saving you the trouble of trying to send it back like so many of my customers have tried to do.
GASSES & ALL FLAMMABLES:
ANYONE using these methods needs their heads examined! First of all, these are explosive devices and should be licensed with ATF. Secondly, gophers tunnel great distances and at incredible depths. NO ONE can see where the tunnels travel, and if someone is forcing gas into a tunnel and igniting it, how will this not damage your home, structures, underground utility lines? This method is one of the most insane we have ever seen. You may get one or two, but they will always come back!
Trapping takes dedication, training and a strong fortitude to get through the handling of the carcasses, but you will know for certain that the gopher is dead, it can never get pregnant again, eat your plants, drip lines, or destroy your foundation. And if anyone claims that gophers will eat anything toxic, walk away. They are clueless about pocket gophers.