The Gopher Diet Exposed: What’s Attracting Them?

Ever looked out at your yard and wondered why gophers keep showing up like uninvited dinner guests? The answer may lie right beneath your feet, literally. If you’re asking what do gophers eat, you’re not alone, especially in Wisconsin, where gopher activity spikes in spring and fall. 

In this post, we’re digging into their favorite meals, how your yard may be feeding the problem, and the best way to remove gophers before they turn your landscaping into a buffet. 

What’s on the Menu for Gophers? Pretty Much Everything You Care About 

Gophers are underground grazers with a serious appetite. They’re herbivores, and their food list reads like a grocery list for your garden. 

Here’s what they typically munch on: 

• Roots and tubers: Gophers love the roots of grasses, shrubs, and garden plants. 

• Vegetables: Carrots, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and other root crops are top picks. 

• Bulbs and flowers: Tulips, lilies, and daffodils often fall victim 

• Grasses and clover: They snack on blades and stems from underground. 

• Tree bark: In winter, they’ll gnaw on bark to survive. 

They feed mostly underground, which makes the damage hard to spot, until plants start wilting or disappearing completely. 

Why You Shouldn’t Just Wait Them Out 

Gophers don’t take holidays. Once they’ve found a food source, they stick around. Here’s why that’s a serious problem: 

• One gopher = 200 feet of tunnels, often under your lawn, garden, or foundation. 

• They kill plants from below, often before you even notice. 

• Chewed roots mean stressed plants, slower growth, and unexpected die-offs. 

• They attract other pests, like snakes or weasels, that follow tunnels. 

• Their tunnels create trip hazards, uneven soil, and risk to kids and pets. 

Ignoring gophers doesn’t work. The longer they’re active, the more damage they do underground. 

Stop Feeding the Problem: Here’s How to Evict Gophers for Good 

Ready to stop playing host? Here’s how to remove gophers and protect your yard the right way. 

Step 1: Spot the Mounds, Know the Signs 

Gophers leave crescent-shaped dirt mounds with no visible hole. Unlike moles, gopher mounds are fan-shaped and often in a series. 

Step 2: Remove the Buffet 

Trim overgrown plants, harvest vegetables promptly, and use gopher-resistant bulbs when planting flowers. 

Step 3: Install Barriers Below the Soil 

Raised beds with wire mesh bottoms or underground fencing can block gophers from accessing garden beds. 

Step 4: Use Professional-Grade Traps 

Traps placed inside active tunnels work better than surface solutions. DIY gadgets often fall short without proper placement. 

Step 5: Skip Poison Baits (Especially with Pets) 

Poisons can harm wildlife or pets. They’re also a temporary fix if the colony isn’t fully removed. 

Step 6: Call Local Experts for a Full Removal Plan 

The best way to remove gophers in Wisconsin is to have a pest professional locate active tunnels, trap properly, and seal off entry points. That’s where 1st Choice Pest Solutions comes in. 

Gopher Questions You Didn’t Know You Needed to Ask 

What do gophers eat? 

Mostly roots, bulbs, tubers, grasses, and vegetables. They feed underground and prefer soft, nutrient-rich soil. 

Why do gophers come to my yard? 

If you have healthy soil, lush landscaping, or a vegetable garden, you’re serving up a full-course meal. 

What’s the best way to remove gophers? 

Live or kill traps placed in active tunnels, combined with proper exclusion methods. Professional help is highly recommended for long-term success. 

Can gophers damage my foundation? 

Yes. Their tunnels can affect soil structure and moisture flow, which may impact foundations and underground pipes. 

Are gophers active year-round in Wisconsin? 

They slow down in deep winter but don’t hibernate fully. You may still see signs of activity on mild winter days. 

Don’t Let Gophers Turn Your Yard Into a Root Buffet 

Now you know what gophers eat, pretty much everything you don’t want them to. From roots and veggies to flower bulbs and tree bark, your yard might be attracting them without you realizing it. 

If you’re seeing mounds or dying plants, don’t wait. Call 1st Choice Pest Solutions for a gopher inspection and removal plan tailored to Wisconsin yards. We’ll find their tunnels, set effective traps, and help you take back control of your landscape.