What Happens During a Gopher Control Visit?

Many homeowners scheduling their first professional gopher control service have no idea what to expect. Here is a clear description of what a Rodent Guys technician does from arrival through completion, so you know what the service involves and how to prepare.

Before the Technician Arrives

No special preparation is required before a gopher control visit. You do not need to water the lawn beforehand, move furniture, or clear the yard in any particular way. Keep pets and children away from the areas where the technician will be working during the visit — not because the methods are dangerous, but to allow the technician to work efficiently and to avoid disturbing trap placement. Traps placed in active tunnels should remain undisturbed between visits.

Property Assessment

The technician begins by walking the property and identifying all active gopher mound locations. Recent mounds are assessed to determine which are fresh and active versus old and abandoned. The technician also notes the property's overall layout — landscaping type, irrigation presence, proximity to parks or open space — to understand the pressure context. For first visits the technician may ask about when activity started, which areas have been most active, and any prior treatment history.

Tunnel Location

Active primary tunnels are located using a probe — a metal rod pushed into the soil near recent mound activity to find the main tunnel corridor running beneath. Gopher mounds are push-outs from lateral tunnels branching off the primary run, so the primary tunnel typically runs parallel to a line of mounds rather than directly below them. Correctly locating the primary run is the most important skill in effective gopher trapping — traps set in laterals rather than primary runs are far less effective.

Trap Placement or CO Treatment

Once the primary tunnel is located, traps are set in the tunnel and the opening is covered to block light. Blocking light is important — gophers that detect light in their tunnel through a trap opening will push soil to re-plug the opening rather than triggering the trap. The technician marks each trap location for efficient location on return visits.

For carbon monoxide treatment, the CO probe is inserted into the confirmed active tunnel and CO is introduced directly into the tunnel system. The treatment takes only a few minutes per tunnel section.

Follow-Up Visits

For trap-based treatment, the technician returns 24-48 hours later to check traps, remove caught animals, reset or relocate traps based on results, and address any new mound activity. Multiple return visits are typically needed to fully resolve an infestation. When no new mound activity is observed following the last treatment visit, the job is considered complete and your 60-day guarantee period begins.

Do I Need to Be Home?

For most visits you do not need to be home, provided the technician has access to the treatment areas. If your yard is gated or access requires unlocking, you will need to arrange access. See our separate article on whether you need to be home for gopher service for more detail.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a visit take?

Initial visits typically take 20-45 minutes depending on property size and the extent of activity. Return visits to check and reset traps are often shorter — 15-30 minutes.

Will the technician find all the gophers in one visit?

The first visit establishes trap placement in active tunnels. Resolution typically requires multiple visits over one to three weeks as traps are checked and the full tunnel system is addressed.

Should I water after the technician leaves?

Normal irrigation is fine and actually helpful — it keeps gophers actively moving through tunnel systems. Avoid heavy watering directly over trap locations that could flood and displace traps.

Call 909-599-4711 to schedule gopher control service throughout Southern California.