Changing the gophers' living conditions, by either reducing or eliminating their source of food, has the most profound and long-lasting effect. Eliminating a food source, such as grass or weed strips between plantings can, however, have unwanted effects. Existing gophers are forced to the remaining food source the blueberry roots. Trapping is most effective with small populations of gophers. Use traps in autumn or spring.
Autumn is usually the best time to trap because gophers are most active.
Traps should be set at freshly worked tunnels. Several types of gopher traps may be purchased at most hardware stores, including specially designed traps that kill the gophers. Success depends upon the proper use of the traps. Fumigants or gases can be used with small to medium-sized populations. Most are effective in wet heavy soils where the gases remain in the burrow system to asphyxiate or suffocate the animals.