Moles and gophers are small mammals that are common in many parts of the world and especially in Oklahoma City. They are often seen as pests because they can cause significant damage to lawns, gardens, and other outdoor spaces. Preventing these pests from coming into your yard can be quite a challenge. There are many things that attracts gophers & moles to your yard but mainly, they come to your yard for the same reason why other animals come to your yard: food & shelter.
What are Moles and Gophers?
Moles and gophers are small burrowing mammals that are often mistaken for each other. Moles have pointed snouts, small eyes, and no visible ears. They are usually dark brown or black in color and have very soft, velvety fur. Moles are about 6-8 inches long and weigh only a few ounces. Most people think moles are blind, but this is not true, although they are colorblind. Moles are insectivores and love to eat earthworms.
Gophers, on the other hand, have a stockier build and are about 9-12 inches long. They have small eyes and ears and a short, thick tail. Gophers are usually brown or gray in color and have rough fur. Gophers are considered rodents, are herbivores and get most of their water from the plants they eat.
Both moles and gophers are known for their ability to dig tunnels underground. They are often considered pests because of the damage they can cause to lawns and gardens in their search for food and shelter.
Why do Moles and Gophers Come to Your Yard?
There are several reasons why moles and gophers might come to your yard. One of the main reasons is that they are searching for food. Moles feed on the insects, grubs, and other small creatures that live underground. A healthy backyard will have many of these insects underground. Gophers love to eat the fleshy part of plants. Again, if you have a healthy backyard, you will probably have plenty of plants that gophers enjoy to eat. If your yard has an abundance of plants & insects, it is more likely that moles and gophers will be attracted to it.
Another reason that moles and gophers might come to your yard is that they are looking for shelter. Both of these animals prefer to burrow underground and create tunnels and dens. If your yard has loose soil or other conditions that are favorable for burrowing, moles and gophers are more likely to make their homes there.
What Do Moles and Gophers Eat?
As mentioned earlier, moles and gophers primarily eat insects & plants that live underground. Moles are particularly fond of earthworms, which make up a large portion of their diet. Gophers, on the other hand, are herbivores and primarily feed on roots, tubers, and other plant material. If you have spent time beautifying the landscape of your yard, your yard has a high potential to attract gophers and moles.
How Do You Stop Moles and Gophers from Coming to Your Yard?
If you have a problem with moles or gophers in your yard, there are several things you can do to discourage them from coming back.
Remove Food Sources
One of the most effective ways to deter moles and gophers is to remove their food sources. Unfortunately, this means removing the beautiful plants & landscaping you have painstaking installed & maintained. If you have a problem with grubs or other insects in your yard, consider treating your lawn with an insecticide. This will reduce the number of insects in your yard as well as chemically deter these pests from wanting to enter your yard.
Encourage Predators
Another way to control moles and gophers is to encourage natural predators to visit your yard. Some animals that prey on moles and gophers include owls, hawks, foxes, and snakes. You can attract these animals to your yard by providing birdhouses, nesting boxes, or other shelter for them to use. Using natural predators is a natural option versus using a chemical option.
Hire Pest Control
If you have tried these methods and still have a problem with moles or gophers, you may need to hire a professional pest control company like Priority Pest & Mosquito Solutions. The pest exterminators at Priority Pest & Mosquito Solutions are experts in removing gophers & moles from your yard and have successfully helped many OKC residents reclaim their yard. We use a variety of methods to eradicate gophers & moles and we choose our method based on what is best for your property & your family.
Here at Priority Pest & Mosquito Solutions, not only do we provide pest control services for gophers & moles, we provide total pest control for your home. Our pest control services include extermination of cockroaches, spiders, mice/rats, ants, termites, wasps, fleas/ticks, and of course mosquitos. We provide pest control service for both residential & commercial buildings. Visit our website and see why our company is becoming the Oklahoma Standard when it comes to pest control.