For best results, trapping and poisoning should be conducted in the spring or fall when pocket gophers are most active. In yards, gardens, small fields or along shelterbelts control can be achieved with trapping. Specific instructions on setting traps and placement of traps are provided with the individual trap. For heavily infested areas trapping is too costly and labor intensive in comparison to poisoning. The most effective poison for pocket gophers is strychnine.
Baits pre- treated with strychnine are available commercially.
The treated bait must be placed in the pocket gopher's main tunnel. This can be done by probing with a pointed stick or bar 15 to 45 cm back from the freshest mound. When the probe enters the tunnel it will drop sharply. The treated bait can then be dropped into the tunnel. The hole must then be closed or the gopher will plug that area of the tunnel with soil, without collecting the bait.