Originally written by by Steve Letz | Jul. 22, 2014
Gopher issues are a huge problem for San Diego landscapes. Eradication seems to be a constant issue as so many settings have become overrun with these tenacious critters.
From poisons to traps to setting their homes ablaze, we’ve heard it all and encourage you to consider more sustainable options that provide long-term solutions.
I’ve seen evidence of people going to great lengths such as placing chicken wire on the ground before laying sod. This may work for some time, but the wire will eventually rust. A lawn needs to be kept moist and moisture attracts the gophers.
One long-term approach is to place owl boxes on your property and invite these birds of prey into your environment to keep gophers in check. Not as easy as buying Lady Bugs to eat aphids; it may take some time to have an owl family set up house in your own backyard.
Plants Gophers Hate
Certain plants seem to be more resistant to gophers in San Diego.
There is a plant called Gopher Spurge, a Euphorbia with toxic sap which the gopher’s will not eat.
Others include Artemisia, California Lilacs, Lavanadula (Lavender), Rosemary, Sages, and Rock Rose.
Fertigation
One more promising option it to use a system called Fertigation. Adding organic elements to your irrigation system will make your yard less inviting to gophers. Again, this is not a poison. It is just an agent to repel those unwanted pests that destroy our San Diego landscapes.
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