Any gopher solutions?

If this is anything like I have for my garden, you have to document ANY pesticides used, how much you used and when you applied it. Kind of a pain to have to report your every move to the AG department.

There confusion here.
Kell,
Pesticides that are sold to you without a license are not "restricted pesticides" and do not require a license to apply.

I would think that anybody who is selling a course in use of restricted pesticides assumes that you know that.

Home Depot, Lowes and many other garden stores sell all kinds of pesticides for which there is no requirement for a license for an individual to use in his/her own domain. Most of these DO NOT sell restricted pesticides. Usually farm stores and nursery supply stores sell restricted pesticides, but they are not on the open shelves, you have to ask for the particular chemical or item that you need and the professionals know what that is and therefore know what to ask for. I believe state law requires these items to be locked up and away from the general usage garden and landscape pest controls.

Gopher bait and D-Con and many other rodent baits and ant baits are sold along with mouse traps. None of these require a license for an individual to apply for their own use.

PotEmUp, Gophers live in areas that are burned over and in areas of brushfire.

Whenever they get the scent of smoke these rapid diggers isolate a burrow from the smoke by back filling it and digging away from the source of smoke. Whenever you put a flare in the burrow most of the time they do just that. It is one of the hundred our so ways that has a poor track record as far its use for long term gopher control. It is also fairly dangerous in that when things are dry on top it can start fires. Furthermore, compared to bait which costs less that 5 cents per application it's cost is many many times greater than bait, which has been proven to be most effective.

Hellzn,
I haven't bought diazon (sic) in 2 years. It doesn't surprise me that that it has been outlawed. Things change rapidly in the pesticide world.

There is much concern about the 'honey bee blight' that has been going on the last few years. So many pesticides are being re-evaluated . I suspect that contingent liability possibilities is causing chemical and pesticide manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers to look very carefully at things they are doing and they are thus being cautious.

Weegy I would not trust those gophers for anything. They are chomping on something underground (roots) Not sure if they like iris though. I know they seem to leave the daffodils alone and do not like castor bean plants. I am going to try and grow a jungle of castors in my yard and see if it helps deter them or not.

thistlesifter--the pesticide in question when Kell sent them that message was the phosphine gas generating pellets that my exterminator uses. It is a restricted use pesticide. I like the gas stuff because there's no risk to my dog or my neighbor's cats as we were discussing a few days ago.

Yes there is confusion here but not with me. For a change. LOL

And to confuse you even more thistlesifter, I do not have gophers, never had and never will. At least not here. LOL

Never had one here either but this is a great thread. Bob's gopher scoring read was a hoot! A serious one though ;-)

It may convey a false sense of confidence to convey that phospine gas-generating pellets is safe to use around pets.

Reports are that it is around 15% more effective than poisoned grain in its use to control rats when used under optimum conditions. Poisoned grain effectivity is not subject to nearly as many variables to be effective.

There is no mention of the degree of risk to pets. It is advised that pets not be near it during its effective period. Its effective period length is somewhat indetermanent, and subject to quite a number of variables, but can extend up to 10 days.

Here's what Univ of Nebraska information pamphlet has to say about the phosphine gas generating pellets (a gas formed from Aluminum Phosphide tablets).

This site addresses use of both the tablets and the cartridges. Tablets are not a controlled pesticide (in Nebraska, but may be in CA). Cartridges are controlled pesticides. There are risks both with human health and that of pets and livestock with the use of either of these, but particularly more risk with the cartidges.

One should keep in mind that there is no long term effectivity. It is gone within 10 days at the most. Since gophers are migratory till mating season if they find abandoned turf unclaimed by another gopher they will move into the old burrows; clean them out and take over. So just like with the use of bait, the job will have to be redone each season and sometimes multiple times within a season until/unless there is a deterrent.

excerpts from URL: http://www.ianrpubs.unl.edu/epublic/pages/publicationD.jsp?publicationId=64


Applying Aluminum Phosphide pellets

ALP pellets or tablets can be dropped through a 4- to 5-foot length of PVC or ABS plastic pipe that is inserted deep into the burrow entrance of an active burrow. my comment (These are primarily used to control prarie dogs) . Plug the entrance with crushed newspaper or other material as recommended by the pesticide label to prevent soil from covering the tablets or pellets. A cow chip or slice of sod can also be used to block the entrance before two or three shovelsful of moist soil are placed over the top to create an air-tight seal. Seal other entrances to the burrow, if they occur. Prairie dogs have burrows that are relatively short and typically have only one or two entrances.

Complete release of phosphine gas from the tablets or pellets may take hours or even days, depending upon temperature and moisture. Initial release of phosphine gas is quicker from the smaller pellets than from larger tablets. In a test trial of ALP within grain in bins, PH3 from pellets attained a peak concentration of 400 to 700 ppm in 48 hours whereas PH3 from tablets attained a peak concentration of 150 to 250 ppm at 48 to 60 hours. The smaller size of the pellets, however, make them more difficult to handle. ALP may be used any time of the year, but we recommend applying it when soil temperature is above 60°F (15°C). Use higher recommended doses when cool, dry soil exists. We do not recommend applying ALP when soil temperature is less than 40°F (4°C).

For large numbers or high densities of burrows, such as in black-tailed prairie dog colonies, you may want to work in pairs to simplify the application of ALP. One person can dispense the ALP while the other covers the burrow entrances. Always work apart or so that the other person is not downwind of the pesticide. Avoid breathing the gas by working into the wind.

Wear dry cotton gloves to avoid contacting the skin with ALP. Remove metal jewelry to avoid its corrosion, as specified on the pesticide label. Replace the cap of the cannister after every dose is applied into a burrow to avoid exposure to phosphine gas. Replacing the cap after each dose also limits exposure of ALP to atmospheric moisture. Apply ALP at the approximate dose (usually two to four tablets or 10 to 20 pellets) per burrow as recommended by the pesticide label Prairie dogs and ground squirrels are active during the day, so schedule completion of the fumigation just prior to night to ensure that surviving animals will not dig out the sealed plug before an adequate dose of PH3is released.

Aluminum Phosphide

Avoid contacting the skin with ALP or breathing phosphine gas. Do not get the ALP material, including powder residing at the bottom of the cannister, in your eyes or on your skin or clothing. Do not eat, drink, or smoke while handling or applying ALP. The phosphine gas produced by ALP is slightly heavier than air, colorless, and in common forms smells like garlic. Certain formulations of ALP contain a compound that releases ammonia. This pungent gas serves as an initial warning that phosphine gas may be present. The absence of an ammonia-like odor, however, does not mean that phosphine gas is necessarily absent.

Symptoms of overexposure to phosphine gas include headache, dizziness, nausea, and difficulty breathing. Severe exposure may damage liver, kidneys, lungs, and nervous and circulatory systems, and may cause death. If a person is exposed to phosphine gas, get them to fresh air immediately. If the tablets, pellets, or powder are swallowed, administer one or two large glasses of water and induce vomiting. Read and observe the entire statement of practical treatment on the pesticide label before fumigation.

Never use ALP in or near buildings inhabited by humans, livestock, or pets. ALP is not hazardous to livestock in field or range situations, if used properly. ALP can be flammable or explosive. Always store ALP away from heat and in a cool, dry place under lock and key. Do not store in buildings inhabited by humans, livestock, or pets. ALP cannisters must be stored in a metal box outside the cab of a vehicle when transporting. A single vehicle cannot carry more than one case of ALP canisters without installing warning placards (DOT Exemption #10753).

bob :>)

You are a wealth of information.
I want to kill my dh now for not letting me know about our little furry devil, because I see a new hole and fresh dirt so did not get him yet. Today I busted out a trap which I have in a tall narrow box with most of the bottom cut out and both ends cut out, sunk in a giant hole with two tunnel openings and the trap inthe middle, covered w/dirt and a block over the hole entrance on the side where the activity is, it is covered with dirt and a plastic trash lid to keep it from being rained on and it is completely void of light and it is bated with carmel apple slices in the back of the trap. I have a little bit of insect chalk put in there so hope it keeps the ants off of it and does not detour the devil. I caught one and only one in this contraption so I hope it works. With all the coming rain it may not anyhow. growl. I feel like chewing my arms off right now at the thought of this mattle and the sight of my new sod.

thistle, my ag guy told me to document any pesticides or weed killers that I use in my garden. Of course this guy is a little scatter brained but he always works with me with anything that I need. Thanks for all of your information, you sure are a wealth.
Dawn if you're hungry don't chew your arms off, don't you have something in your fridge?!?!?!??

chew your arms off !!! Oh, I hope you get that rodent, and all your plants are safe.... let us know if your trap worked. He can't pass up apple pie.

Well that Bas$%^&, packed the trap, the black box trap, top bottom and sides, and ate not a thing nor was there ants, reset it but if I don't kill it or catch it, I WILL CALL AN EXTERMINATOR BECAUSE THIS WILL NOT GO ON IN THIS PART OF MY YARD, now I will have to fence off my new lasagna garden because though it has wire under it, he will climb over it if I don't kill him. He probably smelled all the alfalfa pellets I poured everywhere, they have molasis too. Just shoot me. I acted like I was chewing my arm off this morning and my DH thinks I have gone mad.

I think I will try the blowing up the tunnels extermination and let you guys know if I do not catch this beast. Do Gopher snakees hybernate? This is where my snake lives/lived?

GO GET "EM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I don't blame you for being angry, especially with a new bed area.

Thanks. This is my microclimate and with the most aeriated soil and regularly watered,ammended soil and beds. It will kill me if it wins over this area.

I think you are determined to get him and you will!!!!!!

I'm hoping the buckets of rain we've gotten today have drowned all of mine. Unfortunately it's probably just made them move to higher ground (which unfortunately is my yard!)

oh wow - is there alot of flooding? Does the ground not absorb the rain very well because its dry there - or was there just alot of precipitation? -- sorry if this is a stupid question.

I'm still waiting to see if DH made the flight home or was it cancelled due to the storm.

It's a little of both--there was a ton of rain, and most of the soil around here is clay so it soaks in kind of slow. There's a field behind my house which is where the gophers live (except when they invade my yard!), but at the lowest point it becomes a seasonal pond/wetland every year, my yard goes up a hill above that which is why I figure if the gophers get flooded out of their field, then the first place they'll climb up into is my yard! Hope your DH makes it home tonight! The storm's not as bad as it was earlier so hopefully his flight will make it out.

Thank you ! I think it has just starting hitting here late afternoon - lots of wind & rain, it seems to have followed him home. Hope you are not too flooded.... hopefully will not send the gophers into your yard, darn, I will be looking for gophers mounds when we start looking for homes down there.

That's a switch, someone from OR moving to CA! lol
(My sister and mother live in Eugene and my brother lived in Cottage Grove.)

lol , I know - we are bucking the trend !

WE WOULD CONSIDER A Move to Or. one day. It is raining hard finally but only for the last few hours, it seemed as though we've been waiting for it for two days. He is eating my trap as we speak, I feel it. He is super gopher and nothing will stop his madness.

Gopher Broker cute video, he's as frustrated as you all are trying to eliminate him LOL
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1u5gt_gopher-broker-funny-cartoon_creation

Very funny!

too funny !

But the gopher won, since he ended up going to the farm!!! Loved the chicken.

I liked the chicken too--I need to get myself a few vicious chickens to peck at my gophers!

me too. It was not even funny since mine is still eeking accross my new sod. I will die if he gets in my lasagna garden too. I have the bottom all wired off, now I will have to block him on the sides which I don't imagine that he wouldn't climb the fence if he wanted to.

darn, I'm waiting to hear you got him !!!

No and he is heading for my lasagna now, he is not too far from it so I called my neighbor's who said they know how to find them and control them. I asked how much and they said free for me, and I said HECK NO, THANKS BUT I NEED THIS TO BE A REAL JOB, NOT A FAVOR. She laughed and gave me a price of half the normal price of $55. tomorrow he will die if they aren't lieing.

do the neighbors do this for a living ? Sounds like you've hired a hit man.

Yes they do, they have a pest control company. They baitesd all my fire ants last year, they were suffocating all my root balls. I lost a lot of plants early on because as I dug them out I saw swarms of ants and had no idea that was what was killing everything. Neighbors came and they left so the rest of the season was fine, but now these devils have got to go.

ok, excellent - sounds like they'll get the dirty little rat!

yippie if they come, they flaked once on a free thing they promised to do, a black widdow spray. For pay I hope it will be different.

When I had terriors, (West Highland White) any breed will do, they will never allow a gopher in the garden, my garden is closed in behind a fence. So the dogs don't get out, they caught rats, June bettles, grasshoppers, squirrels, if it had at least four legs, they killed it. Get a terrior dog, and you won't have rodents of any kind, that what this speies of dog was breed for. Norma

I believe it because like I said and someone else too here that had Jack Russels, they are like rodent bombs.

Well, I'm back in the club! Not only do I have squirrels burrowing under the (new) greenhouse, I saw a fresh gopher mound today. :-(

We need a tech company to come up with a robot terrier that will roam the garden watching for activity.

robot terrier - that sounds perfect, no poo to pick up !

So when we buy our house we need to look around the neighborhood for gopher mounds? Are they just everywhere?

Good point it should be a mandatory disclaimer per the seller.

High hopes so far no sign of activity which was daily, they said they bat 1000 kills to 1 need to reapply but 100% kill rate so we'l see.

oh good - Hope it worked!

That would be nice if sellers had to disclose gophers--personally I consider gophers to be a hazard, and we have to disclose everything else that might be remotely hazardous, so why not that too! I'd take a little bit of asbestos or lead paint over gophers any day! Depending on the time of year you may or may not be able to tell if they're a problem--mine seem to be more active from late winter through early to mid summer, then they calm down (or wait...maybe that's 'cuz that's when I had the exterminator come and kill them!) Seriously though, I have a field behind me which I think provides and endless supply of gophers, and after I had them exterminated in July/August, no more came around until about a month ago.