The Gopher Problem You’re Probably Underestimating

Maybe you spotted a little pile of dirt last week and shrugged it off. No big deal, you thought. But this morning? There are three more. And your dog keeps digging. Your kids keep tripping. Your once-beautiful yard is suddenly looking like a miniature excavation site… Welcome to the world of pocket gophers. Quiet. Destructive. Persistent. And if you live in Sherman Oaks, Woodland Hills, Santa Clarita, Oxnard or Simi Valley, you know they’re not just a rural issue. They’re your issue now.

What Gophers Are Really Doing Underground

It’s not just a few tunnels. Gophers are like contractors with a grudge. They burrow relentlessly through lawns, gardens and beneath hardscaping… A single home can get up to 200 yards of tunnel per gopher, depending on the soil.

Here’s what that really means for your home:

• Destroyed lawns & gardens: That landscaping you just paid for? Gone. They eat roots and bulbs like it’s a buffet.
• Busted sprinkler systems: Gophers chew through plastic lines like spaghetti. The damage shows up in soggy spots… or not until your water bill spikes.
• Foundation risk: If tunnels extend under patios, walkways, or even the slab, you’re dealing with shifting, cracks, and expensive repairs.
• Danger zones for kids and pets: Unstable ground, sudden holes, and potential disease exposure? Not great for families.

Breeding Season = More Problems, Fast

To make things worse, gophers don’t just show up solo. Spring is prime breeding season in Southern California, and one female can have several litters a year. So if you’re seeing a couple mounds, that doesn’t mean you have a gopher, it means you have a problem. And it’s multiplying. By the time you notice the damage, chances are they’ve been active for weeks or months.

The Emotional Toll No One Talks About

It’s easy to dismiss pests as a nuisance. But if you’re a homeowner, you know the stress adds up. You spend your weekends patching grass and laying traps. Your dog’s obsessed with the backyard. Your sprinklers stop working, and suddenly you’re replacing PVC… And if you’re in a more complex situation managing a whole HOA, residents start complaining. It doesn’t feel like your space anymore. At this time, it isn’t just about lawn aesthetics. It’s about time, money, and your peace of mind.

DIY? Good Luck.

You’ve probably tried something: pellets, traps, maybe even those weird vibrating stakes. But gophers are clever. Most DIY fixes are a temporary speed bump because they relocate 5 feet over and keep going. And let’s be real: you’re busy. Between work, school drop-offs, or HOA meetings, are you really crawling around with smoke bombs and wire mesh every weekend?

So What Does Work?

Professional help isn’t just about chemicals, it’s about strategy. At AIPM, our licensed techs take a full-view approach. That means:

• Pinpointing tunnels and nesting zones
• Using humane, regulated methods like carbon monoxide injections
• Blocking reentry points
• Helping you modify your landscape to prevent return visits

We don’t just get rid of the current problem—we help you stay ahead of the next one. That’s what makes the difference.

If You’re an HOA or Property Manager, Read This Twice

You’re not just managing a lawn, you’re managing liability. One complaint about tripping hazards. One burst irrigation line. One cracked sidewalk. That’s your budget, your reputation, and your to-do list blowing up. HOA residents expect clean, safe, beautiful grounds. Gophers mess with all three. So, the longer you wait, the more expensive it gets. And if residents start noticing before you act? It’s already too late.

So… What Now?

If you’re seeing mounds, don’t wait. Spring breeding is in full swing. What feels manageable today can become unmanageable next week. And honestly? You don’t have to be the gopher expert. That’s what we’re here for.