How do you eliminate gophers and raccoons from back yards?

Eliminating Gophers from Backyards

Trapping:

  1. Use live traps specifically designed for gophers.

  2. Bait the traps with peanut butter, sweet potatoes, or apples.

  3. Place the traps in active gopher burrows.

  4. Check the traps daily and remove any captured gophers.

Exclusion:

  1. Install wire mesh fencing around the perimeter of your backyard to prevent gophers from entering.

  2. The fencing should be at least 2 feet deep and extend 1 foot above the ground.

  3. Make sure the fencing is secure and there are no gaps.

Habitat Modification:

  1. Remove any piles of debris, brush, or rocks from your backyard, as these can provide cover and nesting sites for gophers.

  2. Keep your lawn well-manicured and free of tall grass or weeds.

  3. Water your lawn regularly to keep the soil moist, as gophers prefer dry soil.

Natural Predators:

  1. Encourage the presence of natural gopher predators, such as owls, hawks, and snakes.

  2. Provide nesting boxes for owls and birdhouses for hawks.

  3. Leave some areas of your backyard undisturbed to provide cover for these predators.

Eliminating Raccoons from Backyards

Trapping:

  1. Use live traps specifically designed for raccoons.

  2. Bait the traps with pet food, marshmallows, or fruit.

  3. Place the traps in areas where raccoons have been seen or where there is evidence of their activity, such as overturned trash cans or damaged bird feeders.

  4. Check the traps daily and remove any captured raccoons.

Exclusion:

  1. Remove any potential food sources for raccoons, such as pet food, birdseed, and garbage.

  2. Secure trash cans with raccoon-proof lids.

  3. Close off any openings in your home or shed that raccoons could use to enter.

  4. Install motion-activated lights or sprinklers to deter raccoons.

Repellents:

  1. Apply commercial raccoon repellents around your property.

  2. Repellents containing capsaicin or peppermint oil are effective at deterring raccoons.

  3. Reapply repellents according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Hunting and Shooting:

  1. In some areas, it is legal to hunt or shoot raccoons. Before doing so, check with your local wildlife agency for regulations and laws.

  2. Make sure you have the proper license and equipment before hunting or shooting raccoons.