For Gopher Problems –
We’ve Got Answers!

We Get Rid of Gophers

Pocket Gophers are the most common gophers and can tear up a landscape in no time!

Fresh gopher mound and vent holes forming in grass.

GOPHERS FACTS

• Gophers present serious problems for property owners year round.
• They tend to be most severe in the spring and fall and in locations with rich, moist
  soil.
• Gophers are vegetarians capable of quick and extensive destruction to roots, seeds,
  bulbs and other landscape plants
• Gophers eat approximately 60% of their body weight per day.
• They favor tree bark, particularly that of stone fruits, and can girdle trees.

Damage caused by gophers include:

As squirrels and gophers burrow, they damage roots, kill plants, and ruin landscapes. Gophers will pull down your prized plant – right by the roots!

• Economic losses in lawn and garden plantings, such as valued roses.
• Destruction of young trees and crops.
• Erosion that may undermine, offset or crack structures such as walkways and in-ground pools.

• Psychological stress, knowing that your property is constantly being damaged by out of
  control gophers
• Wild attempts at self-treatments, leading to severe ground pollution and poisoning of
  non-target animals.

With both structural and landscape / agricultural licensing, Hearts Pest Management has been able to bundle effective treatment for gophers and squirrels with a variety of home and garden services.

Stepping in a squirrel or gopher burrow could cause you to fall and potentially be injured.

We offer a two stage solution, involving a remediation program and warranty for the existing gopher infestation, followed by a maintenance program due to the potential for re-infestation from neighboring yards, canyons or fields.

Due to regulatory changes from the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), residential properties, hospital, day care and day care grounds can no longer be treated by ground fumigation, with the exception of athletic fields.

In non-residential settings, ground fumigation can occur when treatments are done 100 feet beyond inhabited structures.

While this ruling makes treatment more difficult, more time consuming and expensive for both customers and your pest control company, we support this new EPA ruling enacted to further safeguard the public.

See this EPA announcement on the use of aluminum phosphide.

Can you get rid of squirrels?

Absolutely!

SQUIRREL FACTS

Squirrels are among the most troublesome pests in Southern California. Squirrels are easily identified as they pop out of their burrows to forage above ground. Squirrel burrows allow for rest, nesting and safe harborage from predators.

Squirrel tunnels can cause the ground to be unsafe for walking.

Burrows can run long and deep. Squirrels breed once per year in winter and early spring, having litters of 6-8 members.

Colonies can include several dozen members. During the depth of winter and for shorter periods in the heat of summer, squirrels will go into a hibernating state.

Squirrels are primarily herbivores, eating grasses, fruits, vegetables and roots.

They cause significant damage to crops and home gardens. But they also can cause enormous damage by burrowing through wires and pipelines, as well as undermining foundations and general erosion.

Squirrels carry many diseases. There have been reports in southern California of wild rodent plague in positive squirrel samples.

California Voles are not very common but do sometimes find their way into a landscape.

Squirrel control is geared to the seasonal life-cycle. In the spring and fall, baiting can be very effective, as squirrels are heavily feeding on seedlings during this time.

Timely treatment during ground nesting periods is very effective. Resting and feeding patterns will determine the best combination of baiting, trapping and fumigation to achieve optimal control.

Signs of voles occasionally found in southern California.

Extreme care is required for the safety of occupants, particularly children, as well as pets. Protective baiting containers with measured dispensers are used.

We think carefully about where to place baits, not just for successful treatment, but also with regard to people and pets on the property.

Ground fumigation, while highly effective, has come under intense control and regulation for good reason. Instructions for homeowners are very important to create a partnership, with rules for controlled access to treated areas.

Gophers are invading a groomed horse run. Imagine the possible damage to this prized horse, not to mention the rider, from a perilous fall into a gopher hole.

Once treatment is completed, it is best to destroy the tunnel system. Simply closing up holes will not stop squirrels from re-engineering the tunnels.

Removing access to food and hiding places friendly to squirrels will also help to keep the infestation from reoccurring.

Hearts Pest Management offers free inspections to evaluate the best combinations of treatment procedures. Warranted squirrel remediation and maintenance services are available.A good pest control service is not easy to find.

Hearts has been providing reliable service for gophers and squirrels for many years.

We are a true solution provider, partnering with you and the people you care most about. Our gopher and squirrel services are discounted when combined with general pest control.

Nuisance Pests?

Gophers and squirrels are more than nuisance pests. They can cause thousands of dollars in damage to your landscape.

Don’t forget that they can also cause serious injury to people and pets. This is particularly problematic for the elderly, children who run and play, heavy individuals and pets.

Call Hearts Pest Management today, the pest control company that knows how to treat gophers and squirrels, while protecting the ones you love. Don’t let your pet or loved one damage an ankle or have a bad fall due to gopher activity.