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Pee Sticks for Gopher Tunnels

 
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Location: In the woods, West Coast USA
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Hugelkultur - sort of....

I've had a lot of luck stopping the gophers, when I see that suddenly they've come close to really doing some damage, by putting a pee-soaked stick into their tunnels.  

They just about took out two of my mature apricot trees, and I couldn't wait any longer while I caught them.  Their tunnels are big enough for me to slide a hand in, so I got some  sticks about 2 fingers wide, as long as my hand or a bit longer (because the tunnel turns often enough that anything longer won't fit,) and soaked them overnight in a tall milk carton full of pee, and shoved one into each tunnel, it filled up maybe 2/3 of the tunnel.  If you are a real gopher whisperer then finding a stick that makes that turn works, too.

I also poured pee down into the tunnel, several cups full.  They hate anything in their tunnels, and they know anything that could put out that much pee is a real danger to them.  I haven't found just putting pee into a tunnel works for very long, and putting the stick there takes it off my list of things to keep track of.  They didn't even try to go around.  The trees are fine and that was 3 years ago.

It's almost like a mini hugel trench.  It's a long-term piece of wood that will rot and improve the soil, encourage fungi and critters.

Is this one of those things where Permaculture says The Problem Is The Solution?  Ha!
 
Posts: 46
Location: Boise, Idaho
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I had heard male pee is a more effective rodent deterrent than female pee. Glad it’s working for you!

Here in Idaho hills we have rockchucks (marmots) that make quarter mile tunnels.  I’ve have tried pouring cat litter box dreck in their holes with good results. The power of pee!
 
Cristo Balete
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Wow, I don't envy you there!   I've heard that estrogen deters a lot of critters, even ticks!

is it the clumping type or just regular?

I have been tempted with the clumping cat litter, but I put it around the edge of the garden fence to deter rabbits and foxes from constantly trying to find a way through.
 
Jane Bartlett
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I’m using clumping litter. And sometimes topping it off with one of our many sizable rocks.  (Zero waste, lol)
 
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Location: Western Ma (5b)
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I have a woodchuck under my shed and peed on/in/around the tunnel entrance and also spread chili powder and flakes. I think he might have a poor sense of smell because it never bothered him. I've given up on being upset and just say hello when I see it eating my unfenced gardens.
 
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