Gopher Control in Arkansas

Arkansas Gopher Control Rooted in 40 Years of Local Experience

Pocket gophers are active year-round across Arkansas, and once they move into a lawn, garden, or commercial property, they work fast. McCauley Services has handled pest control for Arkansas homeowners and businesses since 1983, and our approach to gopher control rests on the same standards we’ve held for over 40 years: trained technicians, verified credentials, and methods that work under Arkansas law.

Arkansas prohibits the use of poisons, toxins, and fumigants for gopher control. Trapping is the legal method, which makes experience and technique the deciding factors. That’s where professional service makes a real difference.

Signs You Have a Gopher Problem

Fresh mounds of soil are usually the first thing property owners notice. Gopher mounds are horseshoe or crescent-shaped when viewed from above, typically 12 to 18 inches wide and 4 to 6 inches high, with the exit hole plugged and not visible. That distinguishes them from mole mounds, which are circular and volcano-shaped.

Other signs include:

• Raised surface ridges running across the yard above shallow feeding tunnels
• Dying or yellowed plants caused by roots being eaten below ground
• Plants pulled underground with no surface explanation
• Soft or collapsible ground when walking across the lawn
• Mounds appearing in irrigated areas at any time of year, since consistent soil moisture keeps digging conditions favorable

Gophers don’t hibernate and can be active at all hours, so a property that looks quiet in the morning may have a new mound by afternoon. In parts of Arkansas, locals sometimes call them “salamanders” or “sandy mounders”, regional nicknames for the same burrowing pest.

The Property Damage Gophers Cause

A single gopher moving through a garden row can damage root vegetables, bulbs, ornamental plants, and shrubs in a short stretch of time. The damage extends well beyond the garden bed. Gophers gnaw through plastic irrigation lines and sprinkler systems, and their tunnels divert water in ways that accelerate soil erosion.

On maintained turf, mounds interfere with mowing equipment and leave the lawn looking rough. Beneath the surface, burrow systems can span 200 to 2,000 square feet, with feeding tunnels 6 to 12 inches down and nesting chambers reaching 6 feet deep. That underground network creates soft spots and structural weaknesses beneath driveways, walkways, and building foundations. Collapsed tunnels also pose tripping hazards for people, pets, and livestock. Gophers carry ticks, fleas, and lice that can transfer to pets.

Why Arkansas Property Owners Call McCauley Services

Because Arkansas law limits gopher control to trapping, success depends entirely on knowing where to set traps, how to identify active main tunnels, and how to follow through after initial removal. That’s where our experience matters.

A few things that set us apart:

• QualityPro Certified: fewer than 3% of pest control companies in the U.S. hold this certification, which reflects documented standards in training, business practices, and safety
• Technician training that exceeds state requirements: our technicians complete nearly four times the training Arkansas requires
• Thorough employee screening: background checks, drug testing, and driving record reviews before anyone works on your property
• Active in professional associations: membership in national and state pest management associations keeps our team current on methods and regulations
• Family-owned since 1983: 40-plus years of serving Arkansas communities with deep local roots and ongoing community involvement
• Community commitment: a portion of every home or business protection plan payment goes to the Second Chance Youth Ranch