Who would think that gophers would eat a poisonous plant like foxgloves? And not just one of them. But one of them every day. It has been a bit of a foxglove party for the gophers over here it seems.
Last count was 7 chewed through last week- it has been raining here so I haven’t gone out to see how many more are gone since then. It is almost as if the more we do to protect the plants- the more those gophers like to mock us by taking them out. So, have we found the magic answer? Not yet. But, I promised an update on the various things we were trying to keep the gophers away and keep the plants safe- so if you are having a similar gopher or mole problem- maybe one will help you.
Wire cages
We have been using wire cages around the roses for awhile now- but as I mentioned before- never thought to use them on foxgloves because they are poisonous and left alone. Until apparently, those foxgloves are the dish of the day.
My husband has been making the cages out of chicken wire – but you can buy pre-made mesh cages in various sizes also.
Wire Lined Planter Boxes
Another way to have the plants more protected if using planter boxes is to line the bottoms of them. We had a few gophers make off with some of the plants in the garden last year- so this year, the dirt came out and wire went down under it before we planted. Though wire cages and liners will help- it won’t keep the most persistent of gophers from getting through. They will chew through them over time.
Moth Balls
Our neighbor suggested moth balls as a deterrent. He said to toss them into the gopher holes and then cover them up. We tried it. The garden smelled like an old closet and the gopher just pushed them on out of the way and ate through another foxglove.
Gopher Repellent
The garden center suggested a bag of gopher repellent that are basically pellets with Castor oil that you springle around the plants and also can mix in with the potting soil. We did both. So far, they do not seem to be making much of a difference – but will keep you posted.
Sonic Repellents
These are sticks that you place into the ground in the garden. There are some that emit a sound that supposedly keeps gophers away- and others that vibrate the ground a bit that they don’t like. We already have the beeping stakes- and in our experience they did nothing. We had gopher holes and plants pulled under ground right next to them while they were beeping. Again- I swear they mock you.
We have not tried traps or poison.
So far-it doesn’t seem like any of these are the perfect way to go with keeping your plants safe- but I would suggest the cages as a first try. So far, the foxgloves that have been in cages are standing and growing. The ones next to them that were not- have been gopher meals. We currently have about 2 dozen more that we will be planting- but they are going in cages from now on.
You can see more of our garden last year here and also more of the greenhouse garden here.
Shop
If you want to try any of the gopher and mole repellents I mentioned- here are the ones I was referring to.
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Ashley Bergstrom says
We always use premade wire cages to wrap around roots of our fruit trees and plants. We don’t see issues anymore with Gophers. Our problem is Raccoons. Eat our fruit, waddle through our garden stepping all over flowers. Annoying to say the least. After trying many things, my son told me to get the stake to put into the ground that makes a high pitch noise and a blue type light upon motion. They worked like a charm!! Good luck and hope the cages save your Foxgloves. I know how frustrating it can be!
Sylvia says
I recall reading a local well known garden writer who wrote a lot about moles and voles. She described an incident where one of these animals peeked out of its hole as she was enjoying morning coffee. She got so mad that she picked up a pitchfork and killed it. These challenges can make us crazy!
Karen lazar says
We had Pretty good luck with molE maX but you HaVe to be diligent about pUtting it dOwn in the way they say to On INSTRUCTIONS. Its a SEVERAL day PROCESS each time. Good luck all! So frustratihg!
Christine Cornejo says
I have gone thr this war as well and The only thing that seems to work for me is chopping up anchovies and putting a tablespoon down in the hole, then covering up the hOle. Sounds gros, but it seems to work. However you really have to be DILIGENT about about it.! Good luck
Beth says
Not sure if this would help, but we use turkey grit—finely ground rocks for tulip bulbs to keep the squirrels and critters from eating the bulbs. I think it feels like fingernail on a chalkb to them. Just a thought.
Therri says
Tried dog POOP yet? Worked for us. Throw in the holes….sorry, but it did work…
Susan says
Wow!! Three years ago a new housing DEVELOPMENT Was built in the woods behind mY house and the voles started TUNNELING inTo mY garden and all my neiGhbors gardens. I tried the sonar stakes, castor oil for moles/voles poUred down their tunnel holes, traps (we caught 25 in my yard alone); all to no avail! Nothing worked and they ate every plaNt in sight!! I even saw A fern and a geranium being pulled down the hole! Last summer i discovered that using coFfee grounds used or fresh down the hole and all along the entire fence line kept them away (i didnt see one vole in my garden). I am spreading the coFfee grounds again this year and so far So good!! I swear by this method. Starbucks gives away theIr grounds in big bags every morning.
jEANENE says
rACOONS DO NOT LIKE EPSOM SALT. pERHAPS GOPHERS DO NOT LIKE IT EITHER!!!
Karen Mary says
I lighlty sprinkle plants with hot pepper (cayenne or flakes, but the cayenne powder sticks best). anything that takes a bite – a gopher, rabbit, deer – changes their mind and usually doesn’t come back soon. It’s not harmful to the animals or the environment. Just need to reapply after a rain. Good luck!
Deborah DePalma says
I feel your pain. Ive tried all the “nice” ways to keep them away bUt Finally resOrted to Catching and moving them far far away!
Karen B. says
How frustrating. Like you, I thought foxglove would keep the furry critters away, but the bunnies in my area were eating all of my spring plantings except for the foxglove. My nursery recommended Rabbit Scram and it worked well. The heat we had a week ago (Southern California) scorched the blossoms on each stem, but the plants have already sent new blooms.
Good luck.
Karen B.
Linda Hovgaard says
I don’t have gophers but I have those onry little moles! One morning my husband and I were sitting in our home having our morning coffee. I started hearing all kinds of strange noises through the house. Out of the blue Our electrical was having a meltdown and the pops and hissing we heard in our office and family room was our equipment blowing up – even though everything was connected to surge protectors. We could not figure out what was going on! It turns out that A MOLE HAD TUNNELED UNDERNEATH OUR TRANSFORMER – BY PUSHING THE DIRT UP INTO THE ELECTRICAL IT CAUSED CORROSION INTO THE WIRING AND THE DAMAGE THAT FOLLOWED. wHO WOULD OF THOUGHT? iT SET US BACK OVER $2,000 AND WAS NOT COVERED BY INSURANCE OR THE ELECTRICAL COMPANY. aFTER OVER 30 YEARS OF MY HUSBAND TRAPPING MOLES i FINALLY HIRED A COMPANY TO COME IN YEARLY AND DO THE JOB. THOSE BUGGERS HAVE COST ME A FORTUNE! yOUR FOXGLOVES AND PROPERTY ARE SO BEAUTIFUL…i WISH YOU SUCCESS WITH YOUR GOPHER WAR. iT WOULD BE ONE THING IF THEY WOULD JUST TAKE ONE OR TWO PLANTS BUT WHEN THEY START WIPING EVERYTHING OUT THAT IS ANOTHER STORY!
Kym Morello says
Thank you, Courtney, for taking the time to address the foxglove issue. Gophers! …Like the rest of the garden, it sounds like wire baskets are the best choice. We watched a gopher pop his head up just yesterday, right next to one of the foxglove. My husband quickly grabbed the hose to flood the tunnel and then filled it with dog poop. I will wire basket a new batch of Foxglove next to the Foxglove that is already planted. Maybe it will discourage them from tunneling to those, not in baskets? My recommendation: If you use baskets, I would recommend wrapping and securing the wire around the throat of the plant, as we have witnessed gophers go right up and over the basket edge.
Aussie Jo says
Thank you for this bloody interesting post