In general, soil moisture should be near the upper limit of the range for good plowing or cultivating. In California, the depth of the artificial burrow should average 8 to 10 inches. Artificial burrows are made between each row of trees. Grain baits prepared with strychnine are extensively used for pocket gopher control. Trapping is an effective means for supplementing or maintaining control after baiting where only a few invading pocket gophers are involved.
Success depends upon the proper use of traps and the perseverance of the trapper.
The two most commonly used traps are the Macabee, a two-pronged snap type, and a choker type called the California 44 box trap. Traps are most effective when set in main runways which, soil texture permitting, can be located with a pointed probe in the same manner used in hand baiting. The runways are dug open with a shovel or garden trowel, and the traps are inserted well into the burrows. It is best to set two traps in order to intercept the gopher from either direction. Openings made for setting the traps should be covered so that little or no light reaches the traps.