Gophers in Arizona can be a problem for homeowners and gardeners due to the damage they can cause to lawns, flower beds, and ornamental plants. If you notice your plants yellowing or wilting in otherwise optimal conditions, it is likely that a gopher or vole is to blame.
Gophers are active year-round and are constantly digging and extending their tunnel systems, which can lead to severe damage to lawns and gardens. They create mounds of loose soil and can also plug their holes from underneath, making them difficult to detect.
In addition to causing damage to lawns and gardens, gophers can also be a threat to crops and food sources. When they venture to the surface, they may munch on food or ornamental crops, causing damage to the plants.
Although gophers are beneficial to wildland ecosystems because they increase water infiltration, transport beneficial soil microbes, and are prey for other wildlife, they can become a problem when they venture into gardens, orchards, and landscapes.
In Arizona, it is legal to kill pocket gophers, and when done properly, this is the safest and most effective method of control. The Valley Pocket Gopher is the most common species of pocket gopher found in Arizona.