Mole and gopher control: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What mole and gopher control is

Mole and gopher control identifies the burrowing animal from its mounds and tunnels, then traps or uses other approved methods to reduce damage to lawns and gardens. People call when raised tunnels ripple across the lawn, when mounds push up through beds, or when plant roots are being chewed from below.

Signs you need it

  • Raised ridges or tunnels run across the lawn, and the turf feels spongy or lifts underfoot
  • Mounds of loose soil appear in the lawn, beds and garden
  • Plants wilt or die suddenly, with roots chewed or pulled down into a tunnel
  • Round, volcano-shaped mounds of fresh soil appear, which can point to a mole, while fan-shaped mounds point to a gopher
  • Irrigation lines or sprinkler heads are damaged by tunneling, or the soil around them keeps sinking

What the pro does

  • The technician identifies whether it is a mole or a gopher from the mound shape, the tunnel layout and the damage
  • Active tunnels are found by probing or by flattening a section and checking which tunnels are reopened
  • Traps are set in the active tunnels, with the trap type chosen for the animal and the setting
  • Approved methods are used where traps are not suitable, following the label or the rules that apply to the product
  • The technician checks the traps, removes what is caught and explains how to keep the lawn and beds in good shape while the animals are reduced

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Size of the lawn, garden and beds affected by tunneling
  • Whether the animal is a mole or a gopher, since each needs a different method
  • Number of active tunnels and how far they extend across the property
  • Number of traps and checks needed before the activity stops
  • Access to the tunnels, such as a bed with dense plants or a slope
  • Repairs to lawns, irrigation lines and plants damaged by the tunneling
  • Number of follow-up visits to confirm the animals have been reduced

What a written quote should spell out

  • The animal identified and the areas affected, with the tunnel locations noted
  • The trapping plan and the number of traps placed
  • Any approved methods used in addition to traps, with the product and label directions
  • The checks and the follow-up schedule
  • Repairs to the lawn, beds or irrigation included, and any listed separately
  • What the customer should do, such as keeping the traps and the bait out of reach

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Is it a mole or a gopher, and how did you confirm it?
  • What trap do you use, and how do you keep it away from pets and children?
  • Do you use any baits or products, and are they labeled for this animal?
  • How many checks do you plan, and how long before the damage stops?
  • Will you repair the lawn, the beds and the irrigation lines?
  • Are the methods you use allowed in my area?
  • What can I do to keep the tunneling down between visits?

Red flags

  • They use gas or smoke products in the tunnels without a label or a plan
  • They put out bait that is not labeled for the animal or is out in the open
  • They cannot say whether the animal is a mole or a gopher
  • They promise the animals will be gone after one visit
  • They ignore the damaged irrigation lines or the sinking soil

What you can do yourself

A homeowner can probe for active tunnels and set traps on their own, using traps labeled for the animal and placing them in the tunnel as the instructions say; some baits and fumigants are restricted, so read the label and the local rules before you use any product. Call a licensed pest control operator for widespread tunneling, for gas products, or for damage to irrigation lines and structures. Keep children and pets away from traps and bait.

Licenses and permits

Mole and gopher control with pesticides or fumigants for pay is commonly licensed in many areas, and some products are restricted; trapping may have its own rules in some areas. Check with your state or local licensing agency before you hire or use any product on the property.

Mole and gopher control questions

How do I tell a mole from a gopher?

Moles make raised ridges and mounds with a central opening, and they mainly eat insects. Gophers make fan-shaped mounds with an off-center opening, and they eat roots and plants. A professional can confirm which one you have from the damage.

Are the mounds a sign of an active animal?

Fresh mounds and open tunnels usually mean an active animal. Old mounds that are dry and sunken may mean it has moved on. Probe the tunnel or flatten a section to check for reopening.

Can I use a gas product in the tunnels?

Gas products are restricted in many areas, and they can affect people, pets and nearby plants. Read the label and the local rules, and ask a licensed operator before using any gas product.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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