The 5 Best Gopher Traps of 2025

Are gophers turning your yard into a minefield? I get it those little critters can cause chaos, digging up your lawn, garden, and peace of mind. You’ve probably tried everything from ultrasonic devices to smelly repellents, but nothing seems to work.

But what if there’s a way to tackle the problem head-on without resorting to harmful chemicals or inhumane methods? Gopher traps could be the game-changer you’ve been looking for. They’re a precise and effective solution to help you get rid of those unwanted visitors and restore your yard to its former glory.

Imagine a yard free of gophers, where your plants flourish, and your lawn remains smooth and undisturbed. No more unexpected ankle twists from hidden tunnels! A reliable gopher trap can bring you the peace of mind you deserve and a beautiful, thriving outdoor space.

Ready to take control and say goodbye to gophers once and for all? I’ve researched and reviewed the top 5 gopher traps on the market, so you can choose the perfect fit for your yard. Let’s dive in and get your garden back to normal!

How We Tested The 5 Best Gopher Traps

To determine the 5 best gopher traps, we researched and tested a wide range of models, evaluating key factors like ease of use, effectiveness, humane dispatch, and durability. The research included traps from 15 brands such as Victor, Sweeney’s, Macabee, Cinch, Gophinator, Black Box, Red Box, and Havahart. Our testing focused on both kill and live traps, assessing their performance across different soil types and gopher habitats. These brands were chosen based on customer feedback, their market reputation, and the functionality of their traps.

After rigorous testing and analysis, we selected the following five traps as our top picks. The Havahart 1079SR Large 1-Door Humane Trap was chosen as the best option for safe animal capture, offering a humane way to relocate gophers and other small animals. The GopherHawk® Trapping Set impressed with its safe and effective operation, though we lacked specific details on its direct application for gophers. The HomGarden Humane Live Animal Cage Trap earned recognition for its durable steel construction, ideal for long-term use. For gopher control, the Victor 0611 Easy Set Weather-Resistant Outdoor Gopher Trap stood out due to its low-cost, easy setup, and effectiveness without the need for poison. Lastly, the Garsum Mole Traps were praised for their quick and clean kill mechanism, making setup simple and effective.

These 5 traps cater to a variety of needs, whether you’re looking for a humane option, durable construction, or quick and effective solutions.

Our Top Picks

Best for Safe Animal Capture: Havahart 1079SR Large Animal Trap 100061159

Best for Safe and Effective Operation: GopherHawk® Trapping Set GH-SET

Best for Durable Construction: HomGarden Humane Live Animal Cage B07KWYKMWM

Best for Gopher Control: Victor 0611 Gopher Trap 2-Pack 611

Best for Easy & Effective Setup: Garsum Mole Traps Garsum

Best for Safe Animal Capture

Havahart 100061159

Effectiveness: 9/10 | Ease of Use: 8/10 | Durability: 9/10 | Safety: 10/10 | Value for Money: 8/10

The Havahart 1079SR Live Animal Trap is a large, one-door trap specifically designed for the humane capture and relocation of animals like raccoons, cats, groundhogs, and gophers. Constructed from durable metal, this trap is built to withstand outdoor conditions, ensuring long-lasting performance. The trap’s sensitive trigger mechanism guarantees that animals are safely caught without causing harm. Ideal for people looking to relocate gophers or other unwanted wildlife, this model ensures that the captured animal is not injured, which makes it a perfect solution for those interested in a humane approach to pest control.

One of the key benefits of the Havahart 1079SR is its ease of use. Simply bait the trap, set it, and wait for an animal to be captured. The single-door design makes it easy to release the animal once it has been trapped. While it’s not designed to kill pests, it provides a safe alternative to poison or inhumane methods of control.

Whether you’re dealing with gophers, groundhogs, or other small animals, the Havahart 1079SR offers an effective and humane solution for keeping your yard free from pests while minimizing harm to the animals involved.

Best for Safe and Effective Operation

GopherHawk® ‎GH-SET

Effectiveness: 9/10 | Ease of Use: 9/10 | Durability: 8/10 | Safety: 9/10 | Value for Money: 9/10

The GopherHawk Trapping Set (GH-SET) is a specialized gopher control system that includes a wedge and probe tool for easy, effective operation. Unlike traditional gopher traps that might require complicated setup, this set simplifies the process, allowing you to effectively capture gophers with minimal effort. Designed specifically for gopher control, it provides a targeted solution for those dealing with gopher infestations in their gardens or yards. The inclusion of both a wedge and probe tool ensures that the trapping process is efficient and precise, allowing for quick and effective results.

This trapping set is designed to be both easy to use and safe for users. The simple, non-toxic nature of the trap makes it an excellent choice for homeowners who want to control gopher populations without resorting to harmful chemicals. The GopherHawk system is known for its reliability, and its easy operation ensures that even beginners can quickly learn how to use it.

If you’re looking for a straightforward and effective way to deal with gophers, this trapping set offers an efficient solution that can help protect your yard or garden from damage caused by these persistent pests.

Best for Durable Construction

HomGarden B07KWYKMWM

Effectiveness: 8/10 | Ease of Use: 8/10 | Durability: 9/10 | Safety: 9/10 | Value for Money: 8/10

The HomGarden Humane Live Animal Cage Trap is a versatile and durable construction with 32-inch steel trap that offers humane capture and release of various animals, including gophers, groundhogs, squirrels, and even larger animals like raccoons. Made from durable steel, this trap is designed to last and handle outdoor conditions with ease. The trap features a simple design, allowing for easy setup and operation. By providing a humane method for capturing and relocating animals, it offers a non-lethal approach to pest c ontrol, ensuring that captured animals are not harmed in the process. This trap is especially suitable for people who prefer not to use poisons or harmful methods for dealing with wildlife.

The HomGarden cage trap is not only effective for gophers but also works for a variety of other small to medium-sized animals. Its large size allows it to handle different types of animals, making it a versatile tool in any homeowner’s arsenal. The trap’s cage-style design ensures that the captured animal remains safe until it is released. Whether you’re dealing with a gopher infestation, stray cats, or other pests, this humane trap provides an ideal solution.

Its robust construction ensures that it will stand up to repeated use while maintaining its reliability, making it a valuable addition to any garden or yard care routine.

Best for Gopher Control

Victor 611

Effectiveness: 9/10 | Ease of Use: 10/10 | Durability: 9/10 | Safety: 8/10 | Value for Money: 9/10

The Victor 0611 Easy Set Gopher Trap is designed for effective gopher control with a simple, user-friendly setup. This 2-pack of traps is ideal for homeowners dealing with gopher infestations in their gardens or yards. The weather-resistant design allows them to be used outdoors, ensuring that they hold up to various environmental conditions, whether it’s rain or shine. With its easy-set mechanism, the Victor 0611 eliminates the hassle of complicated trap setups. Once placed in the right spot, the trap efficiently captures gophers without the need for additional tools or extensive effort, making it a go-to option for those seeking a no-fuss solution to gopher control.

What sets the Victor 0611 apart from other gopher traps is its combination of simplicity and reliability. The trap is designed to deliver consistent results, with a trigger mechanism that ensures the gopher is effectively captured when it enters the trap. Though it may take a bit of practice to master the perfect placement, once you understand how to position the trap, it provides an efficient and affordable method for dealing with gopher problems.

The pack of two traps provides added value, giving you the opportunity to set up more than one trap in different areas of your yard or garden, increasing your chances of catching the pesky gophers.

Best for Easy & Effective Setup

Garsum

Effectiveness: 8/10 | Ease of Use: 8/10 | Durability: 7/10 | Safety: 7/10 | Value for Money: 8/10

The Garsum Mole Traps are an efficient solution for eliminating gophers, moles, and voles in your lawn or garden with effective setup. Featuring a scissor trap design, these traps are built for quick and humane kills, ensuring that pests are dealt with swiftly and effectively. With an easy-set mechanism, the Garsum traps can be quickly deployed in areas where gopher activity has been detected. These traps are reusable, making them an environmentally friendly choice for ongoing pest control. The durable design ensures they can withstand repeated use in the outdoor elements, offering a long-lasting solution for controlling gophers and other burrowing pests.

What makes the Garsum Mole Traps particularly effective is their quick-action mechanism. Once triggered, the trap delivers a clean and fast kill, minimizing the suffering of the animal. The easy-to-use design means that even beginners can successfully set up the traps without difficulty. Whether you are dealing with a few gophers or a full infestation, the Garsum traps provide a reliable and humane solution.

Their ability to be reused adds to their value, making them a practical choice for homeowners looking for an affordable and effective method of controlling gopher populations in their yards or gardens.

Buying Guide of Gopher Traps

Gopher traps are crucial for controlling these rodents. Here’s what to consider when choosing the right trap:

Trap Type: There are snap traps, box traps (live traps), and scissor traps. Snap traps are most effective for quick kills. Choose based on your needs and local gopher species.

Ease of Setting: Look for user-friendly traps that are easy to set and bait, minimizing accidental triggering.

Sensitivity: Adjustable sensitivity allows the trap to be activated based on soil conditions and gopher activity.

Material & Durability: Traps should be made of rust-resistant metal or durable plastics to withstand underground conditions.

Safety: Choose traps with features to prevent accidental triggering or injury. Live traps should safely release non-target animals.

Effectiveness: Ensure the trap provides a humane, quick kill (for kill traps) or a secure hold (for live traps).

Bait: Gophers are attracted to vegetables, nuts, and commercial gopher baits. Choose the most effective option for your area.

Size & Placement: Ensure the trap size matches the gopher tunnels. Proper placement inside tunnels is key.

Reusability: Most traps are reusable. Choose one that’s easy to clean and reset.

Cost: Gopher traps vary in price. Balance cost with the features and durability you need.

By considering these factors, you can select the right gopher trap for efficient and humane pest control.

FAQs

What’s the difference between a gopher and a mole, and why does it matter for my garden?

Gophers and moles are both burrowing animals, but they cause different types of damage. Gophers are primarily vegetarians and feed on plant roots, tubers, and bulbs, which can quickly kill plants. Moles, on the other hand, primarily eat insects and grubs in the soil. While moles don’t directly eat plants, their tunneling can disrupt root systems and create unsightly mounds. Knowing which pest you’re dealing with helps you choose the right control method.

Besides traps, are there any natural ways to deter gophers from my garden?

Yes, there are several natural deterrents! Some gardeners have success planting gopher-repelling plants like gopher spurge, castor bean, or daffodils around their garden borders. Strong-smelling substances like peppermint oil or coffee grounds placed in gopher tunnels may also discourage them. Additionally, encouraging natural predators like owls, hawks, and snakes can help control gopher populations.

How do I identify active gopher tunnels in my garden?

Active gopher tunnels usually have fresh mounds of soil with a characteristic crescent or horseshoe shape. The entrance to the tunnel is often plugged with soil to protect the gopher from predators. You can test for activity by digging away the soil plug and checking if the tunnel is re-plugged within a day or two.

Will gophers eventually leave my garden on their own?

Unfortunately, gophers are unlikely to leave on their own, especially if they have a reliable food source and suitable habitat in your garden. They are territorial animals and will continue to expand their tunnel systems in search of food. Active management is usually necessary to prevent them from causing significant damage.

Are gophers more active during certain times of the year?

Gophers are generally active year-round, but their activity may be more noticeable during the spring and fall when the soil is moist and easier to dig. They may also become more active after rainfall or irrigation. In areas with cold winters, gophers may create deeper tunnels to stay warm, making their presence less obvious during the winter months.

What are the different types of gopher traps?

There are two main types of gopher traps: kill traps and live traps. Kill traps are designed to quickly and humanely dispatch the gopher, while live traps capture the gopher so it can be relocated to another area. Kill traps include scissor-jaw traps, choker traps, and bait traps. Live traps are typically cage-like structures that trap the gopher when it enters.

Final Thought

This review of the five gopher traps provides a comprehensive range of options, catering to different preferences and needs when it comes to controlling gopher populations. The Havahart 1079SR is ideal for those looking for a humane and safe way to relocate larger animals, including gophers. The GopherHawk Trapping Set offers a complete system, making gopher trapping more efficient with its specialized tools. If you need a larger trap that works well for various animals, the HomGarden Humane Live Animal Cage Trap is a versatile option that works effectively for gophers and many other pests. The Victor 0611 Easy Set Gopher Trap stands out for its weather-resistant design and simple setup, making it a reliable choice for anyone seeking consistent control. Lastly, the Garsum Mole Traps provide a quick and humane kill mechanism, ensuring effective elimination of gophers, moles, and voles.

For those looking for a thorough and efficient trapping system, I highly recommend the GopherHawk Trapping Set, as it offers specialized tools for increased trapping efficiency. For a simple yet effective solution, the Victor 0611 Easy Set Gopher Trap is an excellent choice with its ease of use and weather resistance. The Garsum Mole Traps are perfect for those who prefer a humane, quick-kill method to eliminate gophers. These three options offer a variety of features to cater to different gopher control needs, ensuring that you can choose the best trap based on your preferences, garden size, and pest problem.