Gophers can turn a Maryland garden into a minefield if left unchecked. I’ve tried a few natural strategies that actually work without harsh chemicals.
From plants they dislike to clever deterrents, these solutions make life easier. Protect your lawn and garden while keeping the little diggers at a safe distance.
1. Plant Gopher-Repelling Flowers and Herbs
Certain plants naturally drive gophers away because of their strong scents and tastes. Daffodils, marigolds, lavender, rosemary, and castor bean plants all work as excellent deterrents around Maryland properties.
Gophers hate the smell of these botanicals and will avoid areas where they grow. Plant them along garden borders or near problem spots where you’ve noticed gopher activity.
Not only will your yard smell amazing, but you’ll also create a colorful barrier that keeps these critters at bay naturally.
2. Install Underground Wire Mesh Barriers
Creating a physical barrier underground stops gophers from tunneling into your garden beds. Hardware cloth or wire mesh with small openings works perfectly for this purpose in Maryland yards.
Bury the mesh at least two feet deep around vegetable gardens, flower beds, or tree roots. Make sure it extends above ground by a few inches too.
While it requires some initial effort to install, this method provides long-lasting protection without any chemicals or ongoing maintenance needed.
3. Use Castor Oil as a Natural Repellent
Castor oil creates an unpleasant environment that gophers absolutely despise. Mix it with water and a bit of dish soap, then spray or pour it directly into gopher tunnels and around your Maryland lawn.
The oil coats their food sources and makes the soil taste terrible, encouraging them to relocate elsewhere. Reapply after heavy rains to maintain effectiveness.
Many Maryland homeowners swear by this method because it’s safe, affordable, and works without harming the environment or beneficial wildlife.
4. Encourage Natural Predators to Visit
Owls, hawks, snakes, and even outdoor cats are natural gopher hunters that can help control populations. Installing owl boxes or hawk perches in your Maryland yard invites these predators to stick around.
Avoid using rodent poison, which can harm these helpful hunters. Instead, create a welcoming habitat with native plants and water sources.
Nature’s pest control team works around the clock, reducing gopher numbers without you lifting a finger once the environment is predator-friendly.
5. Apply Coffee Grounds Around Problem Areas
Your morning coffee routine can double as gopher defense in Maryland. Gophers dislike the strong smell of coffee grounds, making them an excellent natural deterrent.
Spread used grounds around garden beds, near tunnel entrances, or anywhere you’ve spotted gopher activity. The scent lingers and keeps them away from treated areas.
As a bonus, coffee grounds also enrich your soil with nitrogen as they decompose, feeding your plants while protecting them from underground invaders at the same time.
6. Create Vibrations with Wind Chimes or Pinwheels
Gophers are sensitive to vibrations and sounds traveling through the ground. Wind chimes, pinwheels, or even aluminum pie pans create movement and noise that disturbs them in Maryland yards.
Place these items throughout your lawn, especially near active tunnels or mounds. The constant motion and vibration make gophers uncomfortable enough to leave.
This method adds visual interest to your garden while providing protection, and it requires zero chemicals or ongoing costs beyond the initial purchase.
7. Flood Gopher Tunnels with Water
Flooding gopher tunnels makes their underground homes uninhabitable and forces them to relocate. Find active tunnel openings in your Maryland yard and insert a garden hose directly inside.
Let the water run for several minutes until the tunnels fill completely. Gophers will evacuate to find drier territory elsewhere.
This humane approach doesn’t harm the animals but makes your property less appealing. Repeat as needed when new tunnels appear, and eventually they’ll get the message to stay away.
8. Plant Dense Ground Cover
Dense ground cover plants make it difficult for gophers to dig and navigate through Maryland yards. Vinca, pachysandra, or clover create thick root systems that gophers find frustrating.
These plants spread quickly and cover bare soil where gophers typically enter. The matted roots also protect the soil underneath from tunneling.
Ground cover reduces lawn maintenance too, since you’ll mow less often. It’s a win-win solution that beautifies your landscape while making it less gopher-friendly naturally.
9. Use Pet Waste as a Deterrent
If you have dogs or cats, their waste can actually help keep gophers away from your Maryland property. Gophers recognize the scent of predators and avoid areas where they’re present.
Place pet waste near tunnel entrances or problem spots around your yard. The smell signals danger to gophers and encourages them to find safer territory.
Just be mindful of placement to avoid unpleasant odors near patios or play areas. This free method turns something you’d throw away into effective pest control.
10. Apply Peppermint Oil to Tunnel Entrances
Peppermint oil’s intense aroma overwhelms gophers’ sensitive noses and drives them away from Maryland yards. Soak cotton balls in pure peppermint oil and stuff them into tunnel openings.
You can also mix peppermint oil with water in a spray bottle and apply it around garden beds. Refresh the application weekly or after rain.
The fresh, minty scent is pleasant for humans but unbearable for gophers. It’s a safe, non-toxic solution that protects your yard without endangering children or pets.