Title: Gopher and Mole Control | Pesticide Research Institute
Headings: Gopher and Mole Control
Gopher and Mole Control
Think you’ve got a gopher or mole?
Preventing Gopher and Mole Infestations
Create Barriers
Promote Natural Predators
Low Impact Approaches
Benefits of Using Traps
Common Gopher Traps
Common Mole Traps
Rodenticides
Potential Consequences of Using Rodenticides
Recognize that when you use rodenticides, you should be ready to deal with these potential consequences:
Precautions to Take When Using Rodenticides
If you determine that rodenticides are necessary, take these precautionary steps to reduce the potential for adverse effects:
Rodenticides Comparison
Non-Anticoagulant Rodenticides
Regulatory Updates on Rodenticides
References and Additional Resources

Content: Trapping also provides the clear confirmation of a captured rodent and allows you to better judge treatment success. Most importantly, trapping allows you to avoid using rodenticides, which pose a greater risk of exposure to children, pest, and wildlife. While live traps do provide a nontoxic alternative to rodenticides, their use is not recommended. Be cautious with live traps as rodents might urinate or carry fleas, lice, ticks and pathogens, which increases the risk of spreading diseases. 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. Box Trap
The choker-style box trap contains a spring-loaded, ridged wire mechanism that snaps shut on the gopher, killing it quickly.