In Western Canada, the gopher (a.k.a. Richardson’s ground squirrel) digs holes and burrows, frustrating farmers, acreage owners, and home owners. Gophers are found in the northern states of the U.S. In Canada, gophers are found in Alberta and Saskatchewan. Gophers destroy turf and lawn areas. Burrows are dangerous for live stock and unsuspecting people. Gophers are cute to look at but can cause large economic damage. At Peregrine, we have the right pest management programs to control gopher issues on your property. Understanding which product or tool to use to in solving a gopher issue is paramount in providing a safe and effective pest control solution. Other wildlife can also create burrows in your lawn; to find out what species you need controlled, contact your Peregrine specialist!
Professional Gopher Exterminator – Calgary – Gopher Treatment Service
403-475-6523
Peregrine Pest Control – Gopher Removal – Calgary & area
All our gopher treatment technicians are licensed applicators in the province of Alberta.
Peregrine Pest Control is Quality Pro Certified and ISN Certified.
*Our Calgary gopher removal team has 60+ years of combined experience
Check out the Peregrine Pest Control team here
Richardson’s ground squirrels’ burrows are grouped closely together. It is common to see them in grassy areas, both on the sides of hills and in open fields. The burrows of gophers make a mess of lawn and garden areas. In the middle of the summer you can see them run across the surface, pausing and looking at you cheekily as they go about their business. Female gophers are territorial towards other individuals but will tolerate other closely related females.
Typical gopher adults are about 30 centimetres long. Their weight varies greatly with the time of year. In the spring, after emerging from hibernation, gophers weigh between 200 and 400 grams. By the time gophers begin to hibernate in the fall, their body weight may have risen to 750 grams. Male gophers are slightly larger and heavier than female gophers, on average. Gophers are dark brown on the upper side and tan underneath. The tail is shorter and less bushy than in other ground squirrels. Gopher ears are short and, looking head-on at a gopher, you may not notice their ears. Their behavior is more like that of a prairie dog than a typical ground squirrel. Their tail is constantly trembling, so the animal is sometimes called the “flickertail”. Males live for approximately three years, while females live approximately for four years.
There are a number of tools that can be used to control gopher issues on your property. Our service technicians will use a variety of different tools including the Burrow RX, live traps, and see bait to solve your gopher issue. We have pocket gopher programs designed for both acreages and residential settings. As part of our process, before any work begins, we discuss managing non-target animals such as dogs and horses with the client. Before starting a gopher program, talk to your Peregrine pest control service technician for the right advice and strategy to solve your gopher issue the first time.
I am worried about a gopher dying on the surface and being eaten by a non-target animal.
Our preference is to first use the Burrow RX and live traps to solve your gopher issue. On occassion seed bait may be chosen by the client as part of their solution for their property. Our experience at Peregrine is that less than 2% of all gopher programs we complete result in carcasses on the surface. We intentionally return approximately 48 – 72 hours later, when we ensure that no gopher carcasses are on the surface, maintaining a safe and effective result for the client.
What happens if my family pet eats the seed bait?
There are many products on the market that are poisons and are regulated for exterminating a variety of different pests. These products, if consumed by, or exposed to a non-target animal can be harmful. In structural pest control, we are always managing risk. The goal is always to eliminate a specific pest without harming any other non-target animal. This isn’t always an easy task. It starts with educating the client about managing family pets and small children. It includes, at the time of service, talking with the client about service choices — the pros and cons of each treatment option. It also includes following up to ensure a safe and effective solution has been provided. If a non-target animal such as a family pet is exposed to seed bait or any other chemical, it can be harmful or fatal. It is important to read the label and follow the label directions. If you are unsure about a product, ask for the right advice from the store where you purchased the product from or, better still, ask your Peregrine pest control service technician.
Professional Gopher Exterminator – Calgary – Gopher Treatment Service
403-475-6523
Peregrine Pest Control – Gopher Removal – Calgary & area
All our gopher treatment technicians are licensed applicators in the province of Alberta.
Peregrine Pest Control is Quality Pro Certified and ISN Certified.
*Our Calgary gopher removal team has 60+ years of combined experience
Check out the Peregrine Pest Control team here
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