Carbon Monoxide Gopher Control — How It Works and Why It's Safe

Carbon monoxide treatment is one of the two primary methods Rodent Guys uses for gopher control — the other being professional trapping. Many homeowners are unfamiliar with CO treatment and have questions about how it works, when it is used, and whether it is truly safe for pets and children. This article answers all of those questions.

How Carbon Monoxide Treatment Works

Carbon monoxide is introduced directly into the active tunnel system through the gopher's own burrow entrance or through a probe inserted into the primary tunnel. The CO displaces oxygen in the tunnel system and is rapidly lethal to gophers and other animals present in the tunnel at the time of treatment. The process takes minutes and the CO dissipates within the tunnel system as outside air gradually replaces it.

CO treatment is particularly effective when the technician has correctly identified the primary tunnel corridor — the main travel route the gopher uses throughout its territory. A well-placed CO treatment can address a large section of tunnel system in a single application, which is why it is sometimes faster than trap-based approaches for clearing established infestations.

When CO Treatment Is Used

Your technician assesses each job individually and determines whether trapping, carbon monoxide, or a combination of both is most appropriate. CO is typically used when the primary tunnel is clearly identified, when the depth and layout of the system favors direct tunnel treatment, and when rapid resolution is particularly important — such as on properties where irrigation damage is ongoing or where the infestation is causing immediate damage to valued plants.

Traps remain the standard first approach for most jobs and are reset over multiple visits as needed. CO is added when the technician determines it will improve results or speed resolution.

Is Carbon Monoxide Safe for Pets and Children?

Yes — with important clarity about what that means. Carbon monoxide is introduced underground into a closed tunnel system. It does not accumulate above ground, does not linger on soil surfaces, and does not create any residue. There is no pathway for above-ground exposure for pets or children from CO applied underground in gopher tunnels. The treatment site looks identical before and after application — there is nothing on the surface that pets could contact or children could encounter.

This is fundamentally different from rodenticide bait, which is placed as an edible substance in or near the ground and can be found and eaten by dogs, cats, and other animals. CO has no above-ground residue, no edible form, and no secondary poisoning risk for animals that eat treated gophers because CO does not accumulate in tissue.

CO vs. Bait: The Key Difference

Both CO and rodenticide bait are lethal to gophers. The critical difference is what happens after treatment. Bait persists in the environment as an edible poison that can kill any animal that eats it — directly or through secondary poisoning of predators. CO dissipates completely and leaves nothing behind. For pet owners, families with children, and homeowners in areas with significant wildlife, this difference is decisive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can CO treatment harm my pets if they dig near a treated area?

No. CO dissipates within the tunnel system quickly. By the time service is complete and you return to normal yard use, there is no CO present at the surface or accessible to digging pets.

Does CO treatment kill other animals in the tunnel?

CO affects any animal present in the treated tunnel section at the time of treatment. Your technician targets active gopher tunnels specifically rather than random soil areas.

Is every job treated with carbon monoxide?

No. Your technician determines the right approach for each job. Some jobs are resolved entirely with traps, some benefit from CO treatment, and many use both methods in combination based on what the technician observes.

Call 909-599-4711 to schedule service using safe, effective methods for your family and pets.