Gopher problem

[the hammer]

I have a gopher problem. They have taken up residence under my front steps in suburban Calgary. Any suggestions on how to eliminate/ or relocation of these@*#&@$@# little critters.
My old fat cat just watches them and the trap I placed is still empty.
Thank you for helpful suggestions.

[Sledhead71]

Not sure how effective it is, but have read that bubble gum will work...

Could be a wives tale, but worth the cost of a few sticks of Juicy Fruit....

[KGB]

Originally Posted by the hammer

I have a gopher problem. They have taken up residence under my front steps in suburban Calgary. Any suggestions on how to eliminate/ or relocation of these@*#&@$@# little critters.
My old fat cat just watches them and the trap I placed is still empty.
Thank you for helpful suggestions.

Stop feeding your cat, let how get his own food!

[Sooner]

Run your lawnmower exhaust under the steps for a long while? Make it nice and stinky for them. Garden hose? Pellet gun

[FishOutOfWater]

Ferrets love eating gophers !

[icehunter]

Rattlesnake. Carefully toss it under the step.

[Husty]

Try putting peanut butter or dandelions inside a trap. Its what my partner did when she used to capture gophers for research. Or poison them.

[Who Da Fisherman]

old fashion baler twine

[Red Bullets]

Might as well concede and turn them into outdoor pets. They'll go into hibernation in another month or so. Gophers are a pet of prosperity in some places so some people in the neighborhood might think you are rich.
Put a little sweater or outfit on one of them so they represent your property good.

[bat119]

Call an expert like Bill Murray

[AndrewM]

Is there a hole? If so, drown them out and wack them when they pop out.

[Stinky Buffalo]

Originally Posted by AndrewM

Is there a hole? If so, drown them out and wack them when they pop out.

Yup, get the whole family involved!

[vital shok]

Call a exterminator and get some advice.

[goosejerky]

Go get the mole/ gopher smoke bombs that poison them. I think they're called 'giant destroyer'. I used them on pocket gophers in my grandmas backyard and they worked like a charm. Light em' stick em in the hole and cover up with dirt. If you see more smoke, cover that hole with dirt as well.
I git mine at peavy mart for $9.99 for 4 bombs.

[amosfella]

ferret or mink.

[wwbirds]

but they were always reluctant to shoot too close to the house or highway on my farm. Bought a dozen mag 110 weasel traps and placed one on most every gopher hole near the highway now that the little ones were out playing in the yard. 3 on the driveway alone when my wife came in from work Tuesday night. Set 12 mag 110 tuesday evening and as of 4 PM today have trapped 16 on driveway coming out their holes or diving into holes to escape. Might be a problem in the city but on the farm I could go get a 22 and wait 30 minutes and they seem to know I was waiting. The 110's are always working best time is last afternoon. got 10 yesterday afternoon alone. Getting slower now so time to move them to newer holes on the south fence line.

[TargetRick]

Originally Posted by the hammer

... eliminate/ or relocate of these@*#&@$@# little critters...

A simple snare, with baler twine (as suggested above) or even ordinary string will do the job, and best of all make no noise to upset neighbours.

Gophers have very little patience, they will pop out once you settle in and wait. "Catch and swim" works great.

[double gun]

Originally Posted by Who Da Fisherman

old fashion baler twine

This.

[Weedy1]

Beer, especially the craft beer crap, it'll kill em fast, yup...
If that fails buy a banjo and learn how to play it sitting on your front steps.