This method's effectiveness can be enhanced by removing high spots in fields that may serve as refuge for the gopher during irrigation. Noise-making devices and plants reported to repel pocket gophers have not been proven effective. To poison pocket gophers, the bait must be placed in their tunnel systems by hand or by a special machine known as a burrow builder. See figure 1 for steps to locate tunnel systems. When using toxicants be sure to follow all label directions.
Strychnine acts rapidly and gophers sometimes die within an hour after consuming a lethal dose.
If the label has directions for use with a burrow builder machine, then it is a restricted-use pesticide. Underground baiting for pocket gopher control with strychnine presents minimal hazards to non-target wildlife, either by direct consumption of bait or by eating poisoned gophers. Poison bait spilled on the ground surface may be hazardous to ground-feeding birds such as mourning doves. 1 Correct way to use runway probe. Bait can be placed in a burrow system by hand by using a special hand-operated bait dispenser probe, or by making an opening to the burrow system with a probe.