Gophers

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zeitgeist

Registered:1428939457
Posts: 104

Posted 1455427409	Reply with quote #1

Does anyone have experience using the ultrasonic gopher deterrent spikes? Do they work? I want to plant a couple figs in ground but gophers are a problem in my area. Thanks! Paul __________________ California Central Coast Zone 9 Wish List: Figo Preto/Black Madeira, I-258, Genovese Nero

danw

Registered:1444807539
Posts: 60

Posted 1455429521	Reply with quote #2

I saw a photo of one that was completely buried in a gopher mound. The place that was selling them had the photo. Hey were thinking that that one was broken. So I have no idea if they work. But I do know that gopher cages do work. They will rot out with time, but hopefully by then the tree will be established enough to withstand the attacks. But I have read that fig trees are their most favorite food, so time will tell. I make my cages out of 1/2 inch hardware cloth. It is much heavier gage than the normal gopher wire cages and will last significantly longer before rotting. You should get at least 5 years out of it. You can double cage to make the protection last a little longer. I use http://www.homedepot.com/p/HDX-1-2-in-x-4-ft-x-25-ft-Hardware-Cloth-308226HD/204331883 or the equivalent from my local hardware store. I make about a 2 ft diameter cage that is completely closed off on the bottom. The cage should stick out of the ground at least 8 inches. Good luck! __________________ Wish List: Bordisot Negra Rimada, BB10 (dan_la), Peloponnisiaka Aspra Sika, Mavra Vasilika Sika, Sanguinato, San Donato, Smith Zone 9A

zeitgeist

Registered:1428939457
Posts: 104

Posted 1455429840	Reply with quote #3

Thank you, danw! __________________ California Central Coast Zone 9 Wish List: Figo Preto/Black Madeira, I-258, Genovese Nero

jdsfrance

Registered:1376988473
Posts: 2,591

Posted 1455443460	Reply with quote #4

Hi, Those spikes disturb the gophers, BUT if the gophers smell food and food is straight forward in that direction, they'll pass even through the spike. So it can help a bit, but won't avoid the damages. Normally those spikes are sun powered, so after some hours in the night ... You're left with no protection ... The only thing that works is trapping them, especially now before the females start their new batch. Welcome to the world of trappers ! Gopher cages or buried containers ( 80liters/20 gallons trashcans ) work of course. The gophers will make their tunnels around the containers, but won't get inside. Near the containers, they often surface. That will help you in spotting their galleries for trapping. I just got the confirmation of why one of my rose bush did crumble last year ... The foot got chewed. It is recovering, and if rodents don't bother it too much, it should grow back. I have one common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) - one of my child's dream - we call it the parakeet plant - The tunnel goes from the rose to the parakeet ... I'm p*ssed ! Killed two beasts in that tunnel. I keep it opened and trapped. I'm sure that there is at least one (?last?) beast in activity in that tunnel... My parakeet is young and has not blossomed for the two last years.Should do this year or Should have done this year ? That is the double question for now . Hope it gets back after the winter ... So, help yourself and use the gopher cages. Don't get light with them, or they'll take the higher price on your plants. Rodents, gophers here already got lettuces , tomato plants, a young cherry tree, one fig tree, two rose trees ... and I'm taking care of them. Just imagine what they would do, if I left them unmonitored ... Good luck ! __________________ ------------------------ Climate from -25°C to + 35°C Only cold hardy figtrees can make it here

Smyfigs

Registered:1443660141
Posts: 1,658

Posted 1455450213	Reply with quote #5

I have used the Gopher Plant as a deterrant...they live it! I had s big problem with them eating my bugamvillias. __________________ Meg-Hardiness Zone 10a Looking for... Socorro Blk Wuhan Jolly Tiger Lamperia Preta Herschtetten St. Jean Black Ischia "The best way to show my gratitude is to accept everything, even my problems, with joy." ~ Mother Teresa "Do not pass by a man in need for you may be the hand of God to him." ~Proverbs 3:27~ "He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted." ~Job 5:4

Elfarach

Registered:1409716614
Posts: 288

Posted 1455665523	Reply with quote #6

As wierd as it may sound, I've always had luck with garlic... I bury garlic cloves around the yard and it keeps them away, works every time... __________________ Simon C. So. Cal (El Monte) Zone 10a Wish list: Adriatic JH, Raspberry Latte, Violet de Sollies, Col de Dame Black, Ischia Black, Takoma Violet

zeitgeist

Registered:1428939457
Posts: 104

Posted 1455678975	Reply with quote #7

Those are good ideas worth trying! Do you peel the cloves first? Does it matter? __________________ California Central Coast Zone 9 Wish List: Figo Preto/Black Madeira, I-258, Genovese Nero

pitangadiego

Moderator
Registered:1188871011
Posts: 5,447

Posted 1455688215 · Edited	Reply with quote #8

plant in wire cages and get very religious about gophers. Trap them with Macabee Old Reliable traps. use them and check them every day. Be vigilant. Dig up the tunnels after you catch them. They should look like this. __________________ Encanto Farms Nursery http://encantofarms.com http://figs4fun.com http://webebananas.com "pitangadiego" everywhere

Smyfigs

Registered:1443660141
Posts: 1,658

Posted 1455722922	Reply with quote #9

Oi vey!! EncantoFarms, this is something you likely do often, right? __________________ Meg-Hardiness Zone 10a Looking for... Socorro Blk Wuhan Jolly Tiger Lamperia Preta Herschtetten St. Jean Black Ischia "The best way to show my gratitude is to accept everything, even my problems, with joy." ~ Mother Teresa "Do not pass by a man in need for you may be the hand of God to him." ~Proverbs 3:27~ "He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted." ~Job 5:4

Elfarach

Registered:1409716614
Posts: 288

Posted 1455725419 · Edited	Reply with quote #10

No it doesn't matter if you peel them or not, couple cloves or the whole head. I usually do whole heads of garlic on the corners of my yard, just kinda break it up with my foot and drop them in about 6-8 inches deep. They don't like the strong odor. Now I on;y do the surounding parts of the yard where there is grass because they will sprout shoots and come up but the mower takes care of that... I'm thinking of having a couple areas this spring dedicated to garlic, maybe only like a foot squared off here and there to intensify the odor... I've got a littie one who is gonna be roming the yard this spring so I can't have traps or spikes out where little mama will find them... __________________ Simon C. So. Cal (El Monte) Zone 10a Wish list: Adriatic JH, Raspberry Latte, Violet de Sollies, Col de Dame Black, Ischia Black, Takoma Violet

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