Gopher Control - Santa Barbara County

Critter Busters provides gopher control and removal services throughout Santa Barbara County. Upon calling our company, we will schedule a free inspection and consultation. Upon inspecting your property, we will look for signs of gopher damage, activity levels and future migration potential. We will then be able to provide you with a free estimate and recommend the best service plan to fit your needs.

Signs of a gopher infestation are clear. They damage the aesthetics of a well kept yard and leave volcano shaped mounds in their path. Sometimes when they reinfest old systems, the signs of activity may not be as obvious as you may see many closed holes in your grass or planters. Sometimes vole damage can be confused with gopher systems. Our technicians are extensively trained in recognizing pest damage and pesticide safety and will treat according to the actual pest present.

Ways To Identify Gopher Activity

• As a gopher digs tunnels and pushes dirt to the surface, he comes to the surface at an angle, resulting in crescent or irregular shaped mounds, and the plugs are visible. These crescent shaped mounds with a plug at the top are produced while tunneling for food (your plants)
• Dead plants
• Dying off of grass or ivy in a particular area

Pocket gophers are burrowing rodents, so named due to the fur line pockets outside of their mouth which are used for carrying food. They are well built and have large incisors to burrow and gnaw. A single gopher burrow usually consists of only one gopher, but their system could contain up to 600 feet of tunneling. Gophers can be a community problem as old tunnels will be taken over by new gophers if activity is present. In areas with high gopher activity, we usually recommend a monthly service.

Ways To Identify Vole Damage

The picture to the left is that of a vole burrow. They can often be confused with that of a gopher by homeowners. Notice that the grass is often cleared creating a 'run' in their path. Voles often stick to a very small area for food (about 1o to 30 feet), so when dealing with voles it is crucial to keep baits and traps close to their burrow systems.

Voles give birth three weeks after mating. 4 to 9 young can be born with each litter with births peaking in the spring and fall. More than one generation is usually produced each year. Voles can get into homes, but do not stay long. They primarily prefer outdoor environments and can be problems for landscaping, ornamentals, crops, and fruit trees. They prefer to feed on grass and just about any other green vegetation.

Ground Squirrel Burrows

Ground squirrels are another burrowing rodent that actually cause the most amount of damage to agriculture. Not only do they pose significant damage to crops and landscaping, but their tunneling can cause major stability problems on slopes. In fact, tunnel system can be up 200 feet deep! Often, several squirrels may share a burrow system. Usually burrows will have many opening and if left uncontrolled they may use the burrows for years. They are mostly active during the day (but will be less active in extremely hot weather), so their presence is usually known.

Contact us today for your free consultation and estimate!

We Serve all of Santa Barbara County, including:

Ballard, Buellton, Carpinteria, Casmalia, Gaviota, Guadalupe, Hollister Ranch, Hope Ranch, Isla Vista, Lompoc, Los Alamos, Los Olivos, Mission Canyon, Mission Hills, Montecito, Orcutt, Painted Cave, Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, Santa Ynez Valley, Solvang, Toro Canyon, Vandenberg, Ventucopa, Santa Ynez, and Goleta.