Finding These Holes In Your Yard Means Your Whole Lawn Could Be at Risk. What To Do.

Those little holes in your yard? They might be more than just an eyesore. They could be a sign of an invasion by an elusive but highly destructive pest.

This common pest can wreak havoc on your lawn. They tunnel underground, creating mounds of dirt that can damage your mower and kill your grass. They can even dig up your irrigation pipes, causing flooding.

Here’s what you need to know about this destructive pest, and how to get rid of them.

Signs of the Problem

The most common sign you might have a problem is the presence of holes in your yard. These holes are usually about 2-3 inches in diameter and will have a volcano-shaped mound of dirt around them.

You may also see runways along the edges of your lawn or garden.

I personally ran into this issue in my lawn. I ended up with the holes you see at the top of this article, but I’ve also seen bigger mounds and burrows in other lawns.

If you’re really “lucky”, you might even see the culprit pop his tiny, surprisingly cute little head out of a burrow.

Our readers have had many of the same issues. Here’s what a few had to say about this common lawn problem:

• Angie S says “ugh I had them bad last season and I already have new holes everywhere I need to get rid of mine”
• Amusingly, DeeTraveler says “Caddy Shack!!!😂😂😂”

The Culprit: Pocket Gophers

If you’ve seen these signs in your own lawn, it’s very possible that you’re dealing with pocket gophers.

Pocket gophers are small, round rodents with short legs and large front teeth. They’re found throughout North America and can be a real nuisance for homeowners.

Pocket gophers are herbivores, and they eat the roots and tubers of plants. They spend most of their time underground, in their burrows. These burrows can be extensive, and they can damage the roots of trees, shrubs, and flowers.

How to get rid of pocket gophers

There are a number of ways to get rid of pocket gophers. Here are a few options:

• Trapping: This is a common and effective way to get rid of pocket gophers. There are a number of different traps available, so be sure to choose one that is specifically designed for pocket gophers. These can be dangerous to use around kids or pets, though, so make sure to understand the risks.
• Repellents: There are a number of repellents available that can help to deter pocket gophers from your yard. These repellents typically contain castor oil or other ingredients that are unpalatable to gophers. I hired a pro who used deterrent in my yard for one invasion. It took months but finally drove the gophers away!
• Exclusion: You can also try to exclude pocket gophers from your yard by fencing them out. This can be an effective way to prevent them from damaging your lawn, but it can also be expensive and time-consuming. Remember, the fence needs to extend underground.
• Watchful Waiting/Natural Controls: Sometimes the effort of removing pocket gophers simply isn’t worth it. Another gopher will soon move in to replace the ones you’ve removed. In this case, you can work on hardening your yard against gopher damage, repairing damage that occurs, and in the long term, attracting natural gopher predators like owls to your area.

Other Tips

I recommend calling in an exterminator or pest control pro if you want to remove the gophers, or you need to know if they’re likely to damage your home’s systems. It’s not worth going it alone.

Here are some additional tips for saving your lawn from pocket gophers:

• Keep your lawn mowed: Pocket gophers prefer to live in tall grass. By keeping your lawn mowed, you can make your yard unappealing to them.
• Fill in the holes: As you see them, fill in the holes created by pocket gophers. This will help to discourage them from returning. I like to stamp on them with gardening boots or pat them down with a shovel.
• Choose resistant plants plants: There are a number of plants that are resistant to pocket gophers. Consider planting these types of plants around your property. Often, they’re native plants.

By following these tips, you can get rid of pocket gophers (or learn to live with their presence) and save your lawn.