One effective home remedy for getting rid of gopher mounds is using a mixture of castor oil and dish soap. This solution has been proven to be highly effective in evicting these animals from your garden or yard. Here’s how you can use this homemade remedy:
Ingredients:
– Castor oil
– Dish soap
– Water
Instructions:
1. In a container, mix three parts castor oil with one part dish soap. For example, if you use 3 cups of castor oil, add 1 cup of dish soap.
2. Stir the mixture well to ensure that the castor oil and dish soap are thoroughly combined.
3. In a separate container or bucket, add four tablespoons of the castor oil and dish soap mixture to a gallon of water. Mix it well.
4. Identify the gopher mounds in your garden or yard. These are typically raised, circular mounds of soil with a hole in the center.
5. Using a watering can or sprayer, soak the tunnels and entrances of the gopher mounds with the castor oil solution. Ensure that the solution seeps into the tunnels.
6. Additionally, soak the holes of the gopher mounds with the castor oil solution. This will help to drive away the gophers.
7. Repeat this process every few days until the gopher mounds disappear and the gophers have vacated your garden.
Why does this remedy work? Castor oil is a natural repellent for moles and gophers. It has a strong scent and taste that these animals find unpleasant. When combined with dish soap and water, the solution becomes easier to spread and ensures that the castor oil reaches the tunnels and holes effectively.
Personal Experience:
I have personally used this castor oil and dish soap remedy to get rid of gopher mounds in my garden. I found it to be very effective in driving away the gophers. After a few applications, I noticed a significant decrease in the number of gopher mounds in my yard. The castor oil solution also helped to prevent new mounds from appearing, as the gophers seemed to have been deterred by the scent and taste of the mixture. This homemade remedy is a great alternative to chemical-based repellents and is environmentally friendly.
Additional Tips:
– It’s important to note that this remedy may not work instantaneously. It may take some time for the gophers to be completely evicted from your garden. Be patient and continue applying the castor oil solution regularly.
– Keep in mind that prevention is key. Once the gophers have been driven away, it’s important to take steps to prevent them from returning. This can include maintaining a well-maintained and tidy garden, using fencing or barriers to deter the animals, and regularly inspecting your yard for any signs of gopher activity.
– If you have a large area to treat, you may need to make a larger quantity of the castor oil and dish soap mixture and use a larger amount in each gallon of water.
Remember, every garden and situation is unique, so it’s important to find the method that works best for you. If you continue to experience issues with gopher mounds despite using this homemade remedy, it may be advisable to seek professional assistance or explore other methods of gopher control.
