Trapping vs. Poison — Why Chemical-Free Gopher Control Is Better
The two fundamentally different approaches to gopher control are mechanical removal — trapping and carbon monoxide — and rodenticide bait. Both kill gophers. They differ significantly in safety, secondary effects, and long-term effectiveness. This is an honest comparison of both approaches so you can make an informed decision about what goes on your property.
How Trapping Works
Professional gopher traps — most commonly the Macabee trap — are placed in active primary tunnels identified by the technician. The trap is set in the tunnel and the gopher is caught mechanically as it travels through. Traps require multiple visits to check, reset, and relocate based on observed activity. Effective trapping depends heavily on correctly identifying active primary tunnels — the main travel corridors the gopher uses — rather than the surface push-outs where mounds appear. This tunnel identification skill is what separates professional results from inconsistent DIY outcomes.
Trapping leaves no chemical residue of any kind on your property. Caught animals are removed by the technician. There is nothing for pets, children, or wildlife to encounter between visits. Trapping is completely effective when placed correctly and is the safest possible gopher control method.
How Carbon Monoxide Treatment Works
Carbon monoxide is introduced directly into the active tunnel system through the burrow entrance or a probe inserted into the primary tunnel. CO displaces oxygen in the tunnel and is rapidly lethal to gophers present in the treated sections. It dissipates completely as outside air replaces it — typically within minutes to hours depending on tunnel depth and soil porosity. No residue remains, no above-ground exposure occurs, and there is no secondary poisoning pathway because CO does not accumulate in tissue.
CO treatment is particularly efficient for established tunnel systems where the primary corridor is clearly identified, allowing treatment of a large section in a single application.
How Rodenticide Bait Works
Anticoagulant rodenticide bait — containing active ingredients such as brodifacoum, bromadiolone, diphacinone, or chlorophacinone — is placed in or near gopher tunnel systems. The gopher encounters and eats the bait, which prevents blood from clotting. The animal dies over several days from internal bleeding. The bait is formulated to be palatable and attractive to rodents, which is also why it poses risks to non-target animals that encounter it.
Why Trapping and CO Are Better
No secondary poisoning risk. This is the most important difference. A dog that eats a trapped gopher faces no chemical risk. A hawk that catches a gopher from a trapped yard faces no chemical risk. A dog that eats a gopher that consumed anticoagulant bait can be seriously harmed or killed. Raptors that eat poisoned gophers die regularly in Southern California from secondary anticoagulant poisoning. Wildlife rehabilitation centers throughout the region document this consistently. Trapping and CO eliminate this risk entirely.
No edible poison left on your property. Bait placed underground is still accessible — dogs dig, children dig, and bait stations are not foolproof. Traps and CO leave nothing on the property for anyone to encounter.
Equal effectiveness for eliminating current infestations. Trapping and CO are as effective as bait for removing the gophers currently on your property. The methods differ in mechanism, not in their ability to resolve an active infestation. There is no effectiveness trade-off for choosing the safe option.
Faster visible resolution. Trapped gophers are removed immediately. Poisoned gophers die over several days and may push additional mounds during the time between bait consumption and death. CO treatment resolves active tunnel sections in a single application.
The One Advantage of Bait — and Why It Doesn't Outweigh the Risks
Rodenticide bait is less labor-intensive to apply than trapping and requires fewer return visits in some scenarios. For large-scale agricultural or commercial applications where secondary poisoning risk is managed and monitored, bait can be a practical tool. For residential properties where dogs, cats, children, and raptors are present, the secondary poisoning risks make bait an inappropriate choice regardless of its operational convenience.
Related Articles
- Why Gopher Poison Is Dangerous for Dogs and Cats
- Secondary Poisoning — How Rodenticide Kills Hawks and Owls
- Carbon Monoxide Gopher Control — How It Works and Why It's Safe
- Why Pet-Safe Gopher Control Matters
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Professional trapping and CO treatment are as effective as bait for eliminating active gopher infestations. There is no effectiveness trade-off for choosing chemical-free methods.
No. We use only professional trapping and carbon monoxide on every job. No bait, ever.
Yes. Dogs that eat gophers that have consumed anticoagulant bait can develop life-threatening coagulopathy. It is a documented and not uncommon cause of pet poisoning in California.
Call 909-599-4711 for gopher control that is safe for your pets, your family, and the wildlife in your neighborhood.