Gophers are definitely a tough customer to control. They also can do considerable damage. They are strictly vegetarians and most of their tunnels are about 12" — 18" below the surface, however, they do have much deeper tunnels that can go down 5' or so. There are some home remedies that have questionable results. One is planting caster bean plants that is supposed to drive them away-I have my doubts though.
All of those so-called remedies like the vibrating windmill and ultrasonic devices don't work either. Gophers don't frighten easily. Just imagine how much vibration and noise a lawn mower causes going overhead every week and if you have gophers, you know already that they aren't moving out because you're a noisy neighbor.
In regards to gophers holes, I read about this method in a garden web forum and it worked immediately for me. We poured used cat litter down the main hole. Don't know why it worked but it did. We had tried filling in the hole several times and he just kept digging them up. Once we pured in the cat litter and then filled in the hole he never returned.
Editors note: while I haven't put this method to the test, it's certainly worth a try before going to the expense and trouble of setting traps. Used cat litter obviously contains cat urine, which often contains certain pheromones used to mark their territory. Combined with the urine, these elements make for a pretty potent mix that isn't easily removed (ask anyone who owns a cat). A cat is also a natural preditor of gophers. Now, whether it's the gophers basic survival instincts or the fact that gophers don't care much for the smell, it must send them packing to a safer and better smelling area, like your neighbors yard.
Thanks Jim for the advice.
