Gopher Problems Near Highland — San Bernardino Mountains Foothills and Citrus Groves

Highland sits at the base of the San Bernardino Mountains in the eastern Inland Empire, occupying the foothill transition zone between the valley floor and the national forest above. This position — directly below one of the largest national forests in the United States — creates some of the most geographically determined gopher conditions in the Inland Empire. The San Bernardino National Forest forms Highland's entire northern boundary, and the foothill terrain, historic citrus groves, and the East Highlands Ranch community together create a city where gopher pressure is widespread and persistent.

The Main Gopher Sources in Highland

San Bernardino National Forest borders Highland directly to the north with essentially unlimited natural gopher habitat. The national forest's mountain meadows, foothill grassland, and undeveloped terrain sustain large natural gopher populations that press downhill into Highland's residential footprint throughout the year. Properties in northern Highland along the base of the foothills — particularly in the East Highlands Ranch community and the older residential neighborhoods climbing toward the mountain — experience the most direct and sustained pressure from forest populations. After wet winters when forest vegetation is particularly abundant, this downhill population pressure intensifies significantly.

East Highlands Ranch is a master-planned equestrian community in the hills of northeastern Highland, with large lots, horse properties, community equestrian facilities, and HOA maintained greenbelts. The community's position directly at the forest boundary — with natural mountain terrain immediately upslope — combined with the equestrian character of many properties creates the combination of foothill pressure and horse property pressure that makes gopher control a recurring necessity throughout the community.

Historic citrus groves and agricultural heritage — Highland was historically one of the most productive citrus-growing areas in the Inland Empire, and the legacy of citrus cultivation has left soil conditions throughout the city that are exceptional for gopher tunneling. Decades of citrus irrigation created deep, well-structured, consistently moist soils. Even areas where citrus has been removed retain these soil conditions. The remaining active citrus operations in the city are prime gopher habitat, and their presence near residential areas creates additional pressure on surrounding properties.

San Bernardino Valley College and the local school campuses throughout Highland maintain irrigated athletic facilities that contribute neighborhood-level gopher pressure to surrounding residential blocks.

Live Oak Canyon and the foothill canyon terrain adjacent to Highland's residential areas provide natural drainage corridors and undisturbed terrain that sustain gopher populations connecting the national forest to the residential footprint below.

Service Areas Near Highland

• Gopher Control in Redlands — University of Redlands and citrus groves
• Gopher Control in San Bernardino — Cal State SB and foothill open space
• Gopher Control in Moreno Valley — Box Springs Mountain and golf courses
• Mole Control in Highland

Also Read

• Gopher Problems Near Redlands University and Citrus Groves
• Gopher Problems Near San Bernardino and Cal State SB
• Why Pet-Safe Gopher Control Matters

Call 909-599-4711 to schedule gopher control in Highland. We serve all neighborhoods including East Highlands Ranch and foothill communities near the national forest boundary.