Subject: Re: Gophers
From: elwinh@HOTMAIL.COM (Elwin Hennis)
Organization: Digital America
Date: Fri, 10 Oct 1997 04:18:18 -0700
Message-ID: <MOD$971010.12407@rec.gardens.ecosystems>
References: <MOD$971007.14544@rec.gardens.ecosystems>


In article <MOD$971007.14544@rec.gardens.ecosystems>,
cnorman@best.com#nospam (Cyndi Norman) wrote:

> I love the discussion here about the role different animals (mainly
> insects) play in the ecosystem of the garden. Especially when it's animals
> that most people strive to get rid of. I'd like to start a similar
> discussion about gophers, which have just appeared in my yard (a couple
> weeks ago). I bought the house in late May so I have no idea if they
> arrive every fall or if they are new immigrants to my garden.
>
> Actually, I don't know for sure if they are gophers. We are seeing piles
> of dirt 2-3" high and 6-10" in diameter appear in the lawn, especially next
> to the watered beds (we don't water the lawn ever and it's rained once this
> summer). How can I tell which burrowing animal it is? I live in the San
> Francisco Bay Area.
>
> We have no intentions of killing them off. The mess they are making is
> minimal (so far anyway) and we are happy to give them food and shelter.
> But we are about to put in a vegatable garden (not too far from where
> they've been digging) and I'd hate to lose significant portions of it. I
> don't mind losing some (10-20% to all animals...gophers, birds, insects,
> etc).
>
> Anyone want to offer thoughts on gophers' role in the garden? How to
> discourage them from certain areas (someone on rec.gardens suggested
>
> Cyndi
>
>
_______________________________________________________________________________
> Oakland, California Zone 9 USDA; Zone 16 Sunset Western Garden Guide

I too live in the Bay Area and was once plauge with the gopher criters
until i moved.i too would be interested in any natural alternatives to let
us co-exist.

If possible cound you bounce relies to the question my way?