Gopher Control in Maine: The Complete Homeowner's Guide

What to look for

Gophers also have fur-lined external cheek pouches used to carry food, and their lips close behind their teeth, allowing them to dig with incisors without ingesting dirt. This territoriality makes control more challenging, as you must remove each individual. Unlike voles or moles, gophers are solitary and territorial — each tunnel system usually houses only one gopher, meaning multiple mounds often indicate multiple animals. Both are active year-round but intensify digging in spring and fall when soil moisture makes tunneling easier and food is abundant. In Maine, the two main species are the northern pocket gopher (Thomomys talpoides) and the eastern pocket gopher (Geomys bursarius), though the eastern species is less common. A single gopher can create several mounds per day, damaging roots, irrigation lines, and underground cables. They dig extensive tunnel systems that can cover hundreds of square feet, pushing soil to the surface in characteristic fan-shaped mounds. Pocket gophers (Geomys and Thomomys species) are fossorial rodents that spend most of their lives underground.

• 1Fan-shaped mounds of loose soil, often with a plugged hole on one side.
• 2Mounds appearing overnight, especially after rain or irrigation.
• 3Wilting or dying plants, trees, or shrubs due to root damage.
• 4Tunnel ridges or raised soil lines in lawns or gardens.
• 5Irrigation system leaks or reduced water pressure from chewed lines.
• 6Sudden collapse of soil in areas over tunnels.
• 7Gopher sightings at burrow entrances, usually early morning or dusk.

Treatment options and typical costs

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

Understanding Gopher Behavior in Maine.

They feed on roots, bulbs, and vegetation, often pulling entire plants underground. Gophers push soil to the surface in fan-shaped mounds, which are the most visible sign. Each system has a main burrow 4-18 inches deep, with lateral feeding tunnels. They are solitary and territorial; a single gopher's tunnel system can cover 200-2,000 square feet. Pocket gophers in Maine are primarily active from April to November, with peak digging in May-June and September-October. Because of Maine's varying soil types — from sandy loam in the south to heavier clay in the north — tunnel depth and shape can differ, affecting control methods. Baiting is an alternative but requires careful placement to avoid non-target animals. Professionals use a probe to locate tunnels and set two-pronged traps inside. Understanding this behavior is key to effective trapping — traps must be placed in active tunnels, not abandoned ones. In winter, they remain active but dig deeper to avoid frost.

Regional Differences Across Maine.

Portland, Bangor, and Lewiston are top metros for gopher calls. Along the coast (Knox, Hancock, Washington counties), gophers are less frequent but can damage seaside gardens. Northern Maine (Aroostook County) has fewer gophers due to colder winters and heavier soils, but infestations do occur, especially in fields with sandy loam. In York, Cumberland, and Oxford counties, gophers are common in suburban and agricultural areas. Maine's gopher populations are concentrated in the southern and central regions, where soils are lighter and easier to dig. For city-specific help, Gopher Control serves all of Maine, with technicians familiar with local conditions. Homeowners in areas with irrigation are at higher risk, as the moist soil attracts gophers. Soil moisture is key — wet springs and falls trigger more digging. Climate variation plays a role: in southern Maine, gophers may be active 8-9 months a year, while in the north, activity is limited to 6-7 months.

Why Professional Trapping Works Best.

They are checked every 24-48 hours and reset until the gopher is caught. Traps are set in pairs inside the tunnel, facing opposite directions. The key is placing traps in active tunnels, which are identified by fresh mounds or by probing the soil. Professionals use two-pronged traps that snap when a gopher pushes against them. Trapping is the gold standard for gopher control because it is targeted, environmentally safe, and highly effective when done correctly. In Maine, baiting is regulated and should only be done by pest control pros. Baiting with toxicants like strychnine is an alternative but poses risks to pets, wildlife, and children. For multiple gophers, the process may take longer. This method can eliminate a single gopher in 1-3 weeks.

The research on gophers in U.S. homes.

In Maine, tunnel systems typically run 6 to 12 inches below the surface, with deeper nesting and food-storage chambers. In Maine, 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 Maine, count the active mounds during your walk-through — that number, not a national average, is what should drive a treatment plan. In Maine, because each gopher is solitary, a yard with several fresh mounds usually means several animals, each with its own network.

Simple ways to keep gophers away

• Install underground barriers (1/2-inch hardware cloth) around gardens and flower beds.
• Reduce soil moisture by improving drainage; gophers prefer moist soil for digging.
• Plant gopher-resistant plants like daffodils, marigolds, or lavender.
• Remove food sources like dandelions and other weeds that gophers eat.
• Mow lawns regularly and keep vegetation short to reduce cover.
• Use castor oil-based repellents as a deterrent, but don't rely on them alone.
• Inspect for new mounds weekly during peak seasons (spring and fall).

Questions people ask

Related guides