Arkansas Gopher Control: A Complete Homeowner’s Guide

What to look for

The Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service notes that gophers are common in all 75 counties, with higher densities in areas with deep, well-drained soils like the Arkansas River Valley and the Delta region. Suburban developments bordering farmland or wooded areas are especially vulnerable, as gophers expand into new territory when food is scarce. Pocket gophers (Geomys bursarius and related species) are solitary, territorial animals. Each gopher digs an extensive tunnel system that can cover hundreds of square feet. They feed on roots, bulbs, and plants, which can kill ornamentals, trees, and crops. Their mounds not only look unsightly but can damage mowing equipment and create tripping hazards. In Arkansas, the problem is compounded by the state’s mild winters and ample rainfall, which keep soil workable for much of the year.

• 1Fan-shaped mounds of loose soil, often with a plugged hole at one side.
• 2Fresh mounds appearing daily or every few days, especially after rain.
• 3Surface tunnels or ridges in lawns, created when gophers push soil upward.
• 4Wilting or dying plants, shrubs, or trees with roots chewed off.
• 5Damage to underground irrigation lines, causing wet spots or low pressure.
• 6Holes or depressions near fence lines, foundations, or garden beds.
• 7Your dog digging obsessively in one area—they can hear gophers moving.

Treatment options and typical costs

Prices are typical published ranges. Ask what’s included before you compare quotes.

Understanding Pocket Gopher Biology and Behavior.

A single gopher lives alone in its tunnel system, which consists of a main burrow (6-18 inches deep), lateral feeding tunnels, and deeper chambers for nesting and food storage. Mounds are created when the gopher pushes excavated soil to the surface through a lateral tunnel. In Arkansas, the most common species is the plains pocket gopher (Geomys bursarius), found statewide, while the Baird’s pocket gopher (Geomys breviceps) is more common in the southern part of the state. Both are similar in behavior and damage patterns. Gophers do not hibernate; they remain active year-round, but their mound-building activity peaks in spring and fall when soil moisture is optimal for digging. During dry summer months, they may dig deeper and produce fewer mounds, making infestations harder to detect. Understanding these cycles is key to timing control efforts. Pocket gophers are named for their fur-lined external cheek pouches, which they use to carry food—mostly roots, bulbs, and tubers. They have small eyes and ears, powerful forelimbs with long claws, and lips that close behind their incisors, allowing them to dig without swallowing dirt.

Arkansas Regional Differences in Gopher Activity.

The Arkansas River Valley (Pulaski, Faulkner, Sebastian counties) has deep, sandy loam that gophers love; here, infestations can be dense and extensive. In the Delta region (e.g., Crittenden, Mississippi counties), rich alluvial soils support high gopher populations, particularly in row crops and along levees. Homeowners in suburban Little Rock, Fayetteville, or Jonesboro may see gophers moving from adjacent farmland or undeveloped lots. The milder winters in southern Arkansas mean gopher activity continues longer into the year, while northern areas may have a brief lull in January. Regardless of region, the fundamental control methods remain the same, but soil type affects trapping ease and bait efficacy. For example, in clay soils, traps may need to be set deeper to reach active tunnels. Gopher Control technicians are familiar with these nuances and adjust strategies accordingly. Arkansas’s diverse geography—from the Ozarks in the north to the Delta in the east and the Gulf Coastal Plain in the south—creates varying conditions for gophers. In the Ozark and Ouachita mountains, rocky, shallow soils limit tunnel depth but gophers still thrive in valleys and pastures.

Why Trapping Is the Gold Standard for Gopher Control.

Proper trap placement is critical: you must locate an active tunnel, which is typically a straight run connecting two mounds, or a main burrow. Professionals use a probe to find the tunnel, then open a small hole and set two traps facing opposite directions to catch the gopher coming from either side. Box traps (e.g., Macabee, Victor Easy Set) and cinch traps are common. After setting, the hole is covered with soil or sod to block light; gophers are sensitive to light and will push soil to seal the opening, triggering the trap. In Arkansas, trapping is effective year-round but best in spring and fall when gophers are most actively expanding tunnels. A professional trapping program typically involves 2-3 visits over two weeks to ensure all gophers in a system are removed. This assurance is valuable because new gophers can move in from surrounding areas, especially if your property borders unmanaged land. Trapping is widely considered the most effective, environmentally friendly, and targeted method for gopher control. Unlike poison baits, traps do not pose a secondary poisoning risk to predators (owls, hawks, cats, dogs) and do not contaminate soil or water.

How big a gopher problem really is.

In Arkansas, because each gopher is solitary, a yard with several fresh mounds usually means several animals, each with its own network. In Arkansas, count the active mounds during your walk-through — that number, not a national average, is what should drive a treatment plan. In Arkansas, state wildlife agencies put a single pocket gopher at roughly a ton of soil moved per year, and mounds are the first thing most people notice. In Arkansas, tunnel systems typically run 6 to 12 inches below the surface, with deeper nesting and food-storage chambers.

Simple ways to keep gophers away

• Remove food sources: plant gopher-resistant bulbs (daffodils, alliums) and avoid thick ground cover that provides food.
• Install underground fencing around gardens and tree roots using 1/4-inch hardware cloth buried 18-24 inches deep with an L-shaped foot.
• Keep lawns mowed and vegetation short—gophers prefer tall grass for cover.
• Use castor oil-based repellents (e.g., Mole & Gopher Repellent) as a deterrent, though effectiveness varies.
• Encourage natural predators: owls, hawks, and snakes can help control populations; install owl boxes if appropriate.
• Flood tunnels occasionally with a garden hose to discourage habitation (temporary fix, not a long-term solution).
• Inspect irrigation lines monthly for damage; repair quickly to prevent water waste.

Questions people ask

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