Gopher Control

Stop Gopher Damage With A Local, Family-Owned Team

Fresh mounds popping up overnight. Plants that looked healthy yesterday suddenly wilted or pulled underground. Soft spots or ridges across your lawn that make it hard to walk safely. If this sounds familiar, you’re likely dealing with active gophers—and the damage can escalate quickly without the right approach.

At Explorer Pest Management Inc, we provide gopher control services designed to stop burrowing activity and protect your yard long-term. As a local, family-owned company, we understand how frustrating it is to invest time and money into your landscaping only to watch it get torn up from below. Our goal is to give you clear answers, practical options, and treatments that fit your property—not pressure or guesswork.

If you’re seeing new mounds or soft spots in your yard, the next step is a professional inspection. Contact our team to schedule a free estimate and learn what’s happening beneath your lawn.

We’ve been serving homes and businesses across Sacramento since 1997. Our licensed, bonded, and insured technicians follow California Structural Pest Control Board requirements and focus on responsible, effective solutions. There are no long-term contracts, flexible pricing options, and treatments backed by a 30-day warranty on one-time services.

Gopher Problems In Local Yards

Gophers are more than a minor nuisance. These burrowing rodents create complex tunnel systems that stretch across lawns, gardens, and landscaped areas. The most visible sign is a fan-shaped soil mound with a plugged hole, often appearing in clusters or lines as the gopher moves through your property.

In this part of the Sacramento Valley, irrigated lawns, raised beds, and soft garden soil create ideal conditions for gophers to thrive. Dry summers followed by frequent watering keep soil workable year-round, while roots, bulbs, and vegetables provide a steady food source. As tunnels expand, gophers can damage irrigation lines, undermine hardscapes, and weaken the soil structure.

Over time, the cost adds up—collapsed turf, damaged plants, broken irrigation, and uneven ground that can create trip hazards. If you’re seeing recurring mounds or fresh damage, it’s a sign that active gophers need to be addressed, not ignored.

Why Homeowners Choose Our Team For Gopher Control

When gophers start tearing up a yard, most homeowners want two things: someone who understands how these pests behave locally, and a team they can trust on their property. That’s where our experience makes a difference.

We’ve helped protect more than 1,300 properties across Sacramento, Placer, El Dorado, and Yolo Counties. Our technicians live and work in this region and are familiar with how gophers move through different soil types, older neighborhoods, and established landscapes. This local knowledge helps us select methods that are effective without unnecessary disruption.

Unlike large national brands, Explorer Pest Management Inc is a family-owned pest control company. You’ll speak directly with our office, not a call center, and see the same technicians who take the time to explain what they’re doing and why. We’re fully licensed, bonded, and insured, and we maintain Better Business Bureau accreditation as part of our commitment to honest, ethical service.

How Our Local Gopher Control Process Works

Not knowing what to expect can make it harder to schedule service. We keep the process straightforward so you feel informed every step of the way.

Inspection & Free Estimate

We start with a convenient on-site inspection to identify active tunnels, fresh mounds, and travel patterns. Our technician looks at the layout of your yard, garden beds, slopes, and any nearby open space that may support ongoing gopher activity.

You’ll get a clear explanation of what we found, where gophers are most active, and what treatment options make sense for your property. This is also when we answer questions about timing, follow-up visits, and how gophers typically behave in Sacramento-area yards.

Customized Treatment Plan

Once you decide to move forward, we create a treatment plan tailored to your situation. This may include strategic tunnel placement and an Integrated Pest Management approach focused on reducing activity while minimizing unnecessary exposure.

We follow California-approved methods and communicate clearly throughout the process. Our goal is not just to reduce activity, but to help you understand what’s happening underground so you can make informed decisions about ongoing protection.

Treatment Options & Maintenance Plans

Every property is different, and gopher pressure can vary depending on location, soil conditions, and nearby open land. We offer flexible options so you can choose what works best for your needs.

One-Time Gopher Treatments

For some homeowners, a one-time service is enough—especially if activity is limited or this is the first time gophers have appeared. Active areas are treated, and we monitor results during the 30-day warranty period. If activity continues, we’ll walk you through next steps.

Ongoing Gopher Maintenance Plans

In areas near greenbelts, open fields, or shared spaces, gophers often return over time. Ongoing maintenance plans provide scheduled visits and proactive monitoring to address new activity early. These plans offer peace of mind and help protect your yard long-term.

During your estimate, we explain pricing, visit frequency, and what’s included so you can choose a plan that fits your property and budget.

Our Integrated Approach To Protecting Your Yard

Gopher control isn’t just about treating tunnels—it’s about understanding why activity is happening in the first place. Our Integrated Pest Management approach considers soil conditions, irrigation patterns, and surrounding habitat that may attract burrowing pests.

This same thoughtful strategy is part of our broader home pest control services, which help homeowners manage multiple pest concerns with a coordinated plan. We also recognize that gophers share similarities with other burrowing pests, which is why some situations may overlap with rodent control services depending on what we find during inspection.

By addressing the full picture, we help reduce repeat issues and support the long-term health of your lawn and landscape.

Integrated Pest Management In Everyday Terms

In practice, this means we start by understanding where and why gophers are active on your property. We look at irrigation patterns, plant choices, and nearby habitat that may be drawing them in. Based on what we find, we select targeted methods aimed at active tunnels and entry points instead of broad, unfocused applications. Our technicians use California-approved products and techniques and follow state and local requirements for safe use.

We also work to reduce unnecessary treatments. During service visits, we explain what we are doing and why, and we let you know when there are simple property adjustments that may help over time. This might include suggestions about how soil moisture or certain plantings could influence gopher activity. Our goal is to support the health of your yard while addressing the burrowing that is causing problems.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if gophers are causing the damage in my yard?

Fresh soil mounds with a plugged opening are the most common sign. You may also notice soft or raised areas underfoot where tunnels run close to the surface. During inspection, we confirm whether gophers are responsible or if another pest is involved.

Are your gopher treatments safe for my kids and pets?

Safety is always a priority. We use targeted, California-approved methods and discuss where children and pets spend time before treatment begins. Our approach focuses on precision rather than broad applications.

Will I need an ongoing plan, or can you just come out once?

That depends on activity levels and your location. Some properties respond well to a one-time service, while others near open land benefit from ongoing monitoring. We’ll explain both options during your estimate.

How long does it usually take to see fewer gopher mounds?

Many homeowners notice a reduction within days to a couple of weeks, depending on how extensive the tunnel system is. We monitor results and adjust if needed during the service period.

What does a gopher inspection and estimate involve?

Our inspections are straightforward and focused on giving you clear information. We start by asking about what you have seen, such as when the first mounds appeared and how the patterns have changed. Then we walk the property, looking for fresh soil, plugged holes, plant damage, and any areas where tunnels may be undermining turf or beds.

Once we have a good picture of what is happening, we explain our findings in plain language. We outline treatment options, discuss safety considerations, and answer any questions you have about timing or follow-up. The estimate is free and there is no obligation to schedule service, so you can take time to decide what is right for your property.

Do you have experience handling gophers in older neighborhoods here?

Yes. We regularly service established neighborhoods with mature trees, older irrigation systems, raised beds, and retaining walls. Our technicians adjust methods to protect existing landscapes while addressing gopher activity.

What should I avoid doing before your team arrives?

It can be tempting to try a lot of different DIY methods at once, but some actions can make treatment less effective or create safety concerns. For example, flooding tunnels can shift soil and make it harder to see active runs. Disturbing mounds heavily before an inspection can also hide important signs our technicians use to plan a response.

Schedule Your Gopher Inspection

Gophers rarely leave on their own once they’ve established a tunnel system. Addressing the problem early can help prevent further lawn damage, irrigation issues, and costly repairs.

When you contact Explorer Pest Management Inc, you’ll speak with a local team that’s been helping Sacramento homeowners since 1997. You’ll receive a free estimate, clear explanations, and flexible service options—no contracts required.

To schedule your gopher inspection or ask questions about service options, call (916) 252-4624 today.