The burrow system may be linear or highly branched. A single burrow system may be up to 200 yards long. Tunnels are 2 to 3 inches in diameter and usually from 6 to 12 inches below the ground, but they may be more than 6 feet deep. Tunnels are usually deeper in sandy soils than in clay soils. One gopher may create several mounds in a day or as many as 200 mounds per year.
Mounds are usually crescent-shaped and appear at the end of short lateral tunnels.
A successful pocket gopher control program depends on early detection and control measures appropriate to the location and situation. Most growers have relied on poison baits for gopher control. Where populations are low or poison baits have been ineffective, try traps. In a field with a heavy infestation, drag the field before imposing control measures. Dragging will enable you to identify active burrow systems.