Title: Gopher, Mole and Vole Control Strategies | Safe Rodent Control
Headings: Gopher, Mole and Vole Control Strategies
Gopher, Mole and Vole Control Strategies
Got Gophers, Moles Or Voles?
Gopher, Mole and Vole Control Basics
Common Gopher Attractants
Common Mole Attractants
Common Vole Attractants
Guidelines to Maintaining a Gopher, Mole and Vole Free Yard
Three Guiding Principles
Recommendations for Prevention
Constructing Barriers
Promote Natural Predators
Treating Garden and Landscape Infestations
Summary of Gopher, Mole and Vole Control Recommendations
Types of Traps
Benefits of Using Traps
Live Traps
Rodenticides
Additional Resources

Content: Rodents caught in these traps might urinate or carry lice, fleas, ticks and pathogens, which increases the risk of spreading diseases. Also, if you release a captured mole, gopher or vole the animal will resume its destructive activities on your property, or it may become a problem for someone else to deal with. In some states such as California and Virginia it is unlawful to release a captured rodent on any property other than the one on which it was caught. Often, not enough consideration is given to the capture and release process, including how to transport the animal, where to free it, how the animal could continue its destructive behavior or harm resident wildlife populations at the release site. If you are considering live traps as an option, please see the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife’s webpage on Trapping Wildlife. Common Gopher Traps
Trap Type
Description
Two-pronged Pincher Trap
This trap is triggered when the gopher pushes against a flat, vertical pan. Pinchers close around the neck and squeeze tight. Click here to watch an instructional video on how to safely set a Macabee gopher trap. Box Trap
The choker-style box trap contains a spring-loaded, ridged wire mechanism that snaps shut on the gopher, killing it quickly. Black Hole Trap
This trap is made from a tube the same diameter as a gopher tunnel.