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Gopher breeding cycle

Gophers breed most heavily in the spring and late summer and can produce 3 to 4 litters a year depending on environmental factors. Some of these factors are soil type, weather, and mans activity. 

Soil: Any soft and moist soil is preferred by gophers. The more litter and rocks, the more they dislike it. This makes farms, gardens, and lawns perfect breeding grounds for them. Many farming operations eliminate gophers and other mammal pests by deep tilling with the injection of poisons. These poisons end up in your food. Gardeners also produce the ideal environment for gophers by planting concentrated areas of their favorite foods. The soil types needed for good plant production are also perfect for gophers to breed in.

Gophers are expert engineers and can construct borrows that prevent predators from finding them. This tends to magnify the effects of breeding by allowing more and more gophers to inhabit the area. If they breed 4 times a year and have 6 pups per cycle, you can see how this problem grows.

Weather: It goes without saying that better weather conditions make for for better breeding conditions. States that have more days without cold temperatures and more sunlight will produce more gophers. Weather also plays a major factor in the survival of their young because there is more warmth and plentiful food in areas with better conditions. The sometimes heavy rains of winter in certain areas dos not play a role because gophers construct burrows with amazing drainage systems. This is why flushing with water is not effective against them.

Mans activity: Certain of mans activities can either improve or destroy their habitats. Probably, the most perfect conditions for gophers exist in golf courses. These courses tend to be more prolific in warmer states for year round activity. Their lush grass provides food and moisture through the root systems thereby allowing the gopher to eat without coming above ground. The earth is kept disturbed because of the preparation and maintenance of the grounds. Your lawn is not much different than a gold course. Conversely, large scale farms prevent gophers from establishing themselves through deep tilling and poisons. Where there is little activity from man, the gopher population remains constant and controlled.

Look for new products starting in the spring of 2009. Some of these will help repel deer, stop various diseases and pests on fruit trees, and deter ants.

We have also been doing research with some local vineyards to prevent powdery mildew on wine grapes.

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