pocket gophers Archives - Arizona Pest Control - Pest Management Services

All posts in “pocket gophers”

Pocket Gopher issues

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Pocket gopher issues along with rodents digging up your yard or playfield can lead to injuries. The kids or adult are running and step in a hole breaking ankles or wrists in the effort to have fun. Not so much fun in the Urgent Care or hospital.

Pocket Gophers generally plug the opening while rats and other vermin don’t – so seeing the picture if can easily identify it as a pocket gopher. They tend to remain in their burrows only coming above ground in an emergency. If their den was flooded or snakes are invading then they probably will do what they have to to escape.

Desert Holes

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Desert holes can mean just about anything. I have seen mice to rats and even snakes emerge from various holes. With rodents such as mice and rats expect snakes to be right behind. That includes rattlers so use extreme caution while hiking or even around your home.

If you notice desert holes, check them out. One of the BIG things with me when I’m checking homes is to check pool pump and air conditioning units for signs of rodents. If you see poop, it is time for bait stations – these little pests gnaw pipe and wires. That bill alone will be several hundreds of dollars. Check your property monthly and avoid the headaches and call ProBest Pest management for all your pest needs 602-249-7378 or 623-414-0176.

Kangaroo Rat -somebody doesn’t look good!

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Kangaroo Rat or Mouse?

Trick question – The Kangaroo rat usually have long tails, bushy at the end and big hind feet with four toes. They have large heads with big eyes and small ears. They are a sandy brown color with a white underbelly. Technically not a rat or mouse but a separate group on their own.

The Sonoran Desert kangaroo rats are remarkable in that they do not need to drink water, even though their diet is almost entirely composed of dry seeds. They survive almost entirely on water metabolized from the seeds they eat. The rats prefer seeds high in carbohydrates, from which they can produce a half gram of water from each gram of seed eaten. They even take a bath without water, keeping their shiny fur clean by taking dust baths in the sand.

What are all those holes in my yard?

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There are a number of things that can dig up those yards. Out here in the Wild West we can have all sorts of critters digging up the yards. Wild pigs or Javelina use their noses to dig up roots, pocket gophers dig burrows and eat roots under the ground and numerous insects dig holes to bury other insects or arachnids as food for their young. By the way ignoring these holes may lead to bushes and trees dying or by being severely damaged.

So if you are getting holes or something damaging your yard it may well be the time to call in a Pest Management Professional or Wildlife Professional.

pocket gophers

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Pocket gophers can cause serious damage to plants and vegetation.

Pocket Gophers can really do some serious damage to our lawns and properties. Along with their damage they can create holes which people can fall into and often times could lead to broken bones or physical damage to young or older people. I have heard some people say “well they really don’t harm things so lets just leave them alone”? They will damage landscapes including bushes, trees and create unsightly holes and that alone should be enough to stop them from further damaging your lawn. Bushes and trees cost money and if someone falls because of a hole, how much is that doctor or urgent care call?

One of the biggest concerns is damage to playgrounds, soccer fields and areas where children run and play. They actually perform a good service aerating the soil, but the damage often seen is the dying vegetation. They rarely leave their underground complex and most damage is done to the roots of bushes, since they only feed on vegetation. They get all their water from the vegetation they consume. They breed during the Spring to early summer and often have up to 7 babies per year. So has you can see that family can grow quickly causing more damage. It is possible to have 2 -20 gophers per acre of course depending on food availability. Gophers may live up to two years and the majority will be young adults. Gophers are not known to be a significant source of any diseases transmittable to humans or animals. People can trap these critters which is time consuming or use bait injected into the ground and hidden away from prying eyes. Many additional critters may use their tunnels for their benefit including lizards and toads.

Call ProBest for more information or to schedule a visit 602-249-7378

pocket gophers

Mounds, mounds and more mounds – Pocket Gophers do their damage to yards.

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ProBest Pest Management offers one tested and proven method to remove gophers from your yard with our baiting option. Our service generally consists of 2 to 3 visits based on the size of your yard and number of mound activity.

Pocket Gophers are best known for their ability to destroy our lawns and gardens. A gophers diet consists of mainly underground roots. Pocket Gopher control isn’t easy but we have spent years deciding on the best and most advantageous treatments and have decided on our use of the Elston treatment device.We have perfected the gopher eradication method. We have found that a targeted attack with baits is the most effective way of eliminating gophers on your property.

Our initial baiting gopher control service will generally consist of 2 visits approximately 1-2 weeks apart with free follow-ups for an additional 30 days if needed. We use a grain bait called Kaput-d. Our preferred bait of choice is a grain injected directly into the tunnel system of the gopher. After years of testing we have determined that this grain bait works the best, assuring we have the most effective materials available. We don’t use the cheap stuff, we use a tried and true procedure with an excellent grain bait! The key to effective gopher control is in the experience, anyone can inject bait into a hole but we know what we are doing and have years of proven control. Our technicians are experienced and know gopher patterns, tendencies, preferences and more!

Were you aware that May is “National Pet Month”?

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Were you aware that May is “National Pet Month”?

Lots of us own pets, from cats to snakes and because of this we can also from time to time get uninvited pests including ticks and other vermin. In Arizona we don’t get fleas very often but we do encounter ticks on a regular basis. So what can you do to stop those infestations from happening to your home.

Don’t leave food out for feral cats, this may bring in other unwanted pests.
If you see holes in the yard check for Pocket gophers, they can damage plants and bring in pests.
Even birds like pigeons can bring in pests, don’t allow them them to live on your roof.
Bats can make your attic a home, seal and block all access into your attic. Bat Bugs can take up residence within your attic and if you get rid of the bats, the Bat Bugs may come into your home space.
Check your pets frequently for signs of fleas or ticks. You can use over the counter medicines but if you do please mention this to your Pest Management Professional – some of those products may contain a similar products and cause an overdose to the pet.
Keep grass or vegetation trimmed around the home.
Don’t become a hoarder, keep debris away from the home and discourage rodent activity.
Never place firewood next to your home, don’t invite rodents or pests near the home. If you use firewood only bring in what you plan on using right away.
If you have rodents, it may lead to snakes. Snakes have to eat so don’t encourage them to come to your house.
Don’t allow water to stand, mosquitoes can bite and transit diseases and parasites to your pets.

Some tricks for keeping out Pocket Gophers….

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Some tricks for keeping out Pocket Gophers….

So you have these mounds in your yard, what could they be and why be concerned? Pocket gophers feed on plants in three ways: 1) they feed on roots that they encounter when digging; 2) they may go to the surface, venturing only a body length or so from their tunnel opening to feed on above ground vegetation; and 3) they pull vegetation into their tunnel from below. Pocket gophers eat grasses, shrubs, and trees. They are strict herbivores, and any animal material in their diet appears to result from incidental ingestion. So that means that any bush, tree or even grass is on their menu and who likes replacing and spending money to do it.

If you see one mound go after it immediately – it will generally only get worse.
Some exclusion is possible, make sure it is deep enough.
Some plants may discourage resistance.
Some repellents are available.
If you can’t handle the problem, call a Pest Management Professional.
We use a special tool device, see a recent home seal on this tool.

Naked Mole Rats

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Naked Mole Rats from the World Wildlife Zoo

Before we get started I just wanted to be sure somebody was out there or did it all end yesterday according to the Mayan’s?

Beauty is in the “Eye of the Beholder”, some people like cats with no fur or dogs with too much fur and some of us think Naked Mole Rats are cute. I mean common they live in the ground, they eats roots and tubers and they share everything as a family. They live in Africa and are often called “Sand Puppies” and have two special characteristics a lack of pain sensation in its skin and a very low metabolism.

Here is Arizona we have Pocket Gophers and Ground Squirrels and either one can get carried away with digging up yards.

24/7/365 Termites on the Move!

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24/7/365 Termites on the Move!

Termites work everyday and they are only interested in finding wood (your home) sometimes they make mistakes and come up in the wrong place. The thing they have – is that they don’t ever give up. A few tips:

Don’t plant tress or bushes near the foundation of your home, don’t put mulch up near the foundation and don”t pile stone or rock up to the stucco.
The same applies to planters, putting a planter up next to the home will only encourage moist and pests.
Reduce water next to the foundation. Check your drip irrigation, if sprinklers are involved direct them away from the home.
Watch out for pests like rodents (ground squirrels, rats and pocket gophers) digging near the foundation.
If you add a concrete slab to your home – pretreat it.
If you must dig around the foundation notify your Pest Control company.
Store firewood away from the structure.
Inspections are good, very good.