Not all gopher traps are created equal when it comes to pet safety. Here's what Riverside County homeowners with dogs need to know before buying — or before trusting a pest control company.
The single most important safety factor in gopher trapping is whether the trap is set underground or above ground. This determines whether your dog can physically reach it — and it's a detail that many homeowners and even some pest control operators overlook.
Macabee traps are the industry standard for professional gopher trapping. These wire traps are set entirely within the gopher's underground tunnel system, 12 to 18 inches below the surface. A dog digging at the surface cannot reach a properly set Macabee trap without digging out an entire section of tunnel. When set by an experienced technician who probes for the main tunnel run and sets at the correct depth, these traps are effectively inaccessible to pets above ground.
Cinch traps (sometimes called black hole traps) are cylindrical traps that are inserted into the tunnel opening. They sit at or slightly below the surface soil level. A Cinch trap is less accessible than no trap, but a determined digging dog — especially a terrier — can expose the trap opening. They are safer than surface traps but not as pet-proof as properly-depth-set Macabee traps. Cinch traps are more commonly used by experienced technicians as a supplemental tool alongside Macabee sets.
Above-ground snap traps — the type designed for mice or rats — are sometimes suggested for gophers in online DIY guides. Do not use these in any yard where dogs or cats have access. These traps are set on the surface and are fully accessible to any pet. A dog that steps on or investigates a surface snap trap can suffer broken toes, injured noses, and significant pain. Surface snap traps set for gophers have essentially no pet-safe application in a residential yard.
Even with the right trap type, improper placement creates pet exposure risk. A Macabee trap set too shallow — 4 to 6 inches rather than 12 to 18 inches — is accessible to a dog that starts digging at a fresh mound. The difference between a safe installation and a risky one is the skill of the person setting the trap.
Professional gopher technicians locate the main tunnel run using a steel probe (not just the surface mound location), which is critical — mounds are lateral plug tunnels, not the main run. Setting a trap in the plug tunnel rather than the main run is both ineffective and typically shallower. An experienced technician sets traps in the primary travel corridor where they are deepest and most effective.
Professional gopher control services may also use carbon monoxide treatment, which involves injecting CO gas into the tunnel system. This is completely safe for pets on the surface — the gas dissipates rapidly in the tunnel, and there is zero surface exposure. CO treatment is not available to homeowners and requires licensed professional equipment, but it eliminates any surface access concern entirely.
If you choose to attempt DIY gopher trapping with pets present, follow these guidelines to minimize risk:
For most pet-owning households, the simplest and most reliable approach remains professional service from a licensed technician who sets traps at correct depth, checks them on a scheduled basis, and backs the service with a guarantee. For Riverside County, we recommend Rodent Guys for professionally-set, pet-safe gopher trapping.
Why trapping is the only safe method for homes with pets.
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