Marmot Infestation

[Rockbadchild]

Since one of my dog caught one, they are now obsess with them which is good. There's one under this pile I will have to help them by moving this pile of post.

 

[RockWrangler]

Looks like I am back for another report. I think the primary interest for me in this ongoing exercise is summed up in one sentence: What the heck is going on here?

So far this year I have trapped 34 more of the vermin; 3 today. I have gotten 19 from under my little 6 X 8 chicken coop (like I said earlier, they must be living dormitory style in bunk beds under there), and another 8 from a single barn stall. The rest come from a marmot highway that runs through my orchard. Of the 34 trapped, 32 were juveniles; only 2 were fully-grown adults.

I have been trapping around 75 of the dirty, nasty, diseased creatures per year, 300 in my first 4 years. This is the beginning of the 5th year and I am at 34 in only 2 weeks of trapping. I hate to think of what looms in front of me.

I decided to not put in a garden this year, just tomatoes and my heritage rhubarb that the critters so far have left alone. Whatever they don’t destroy the gophers get, so I decided to close up the feed store. As Oosik said a couple years back, it is cheaper and easier to buy from the grocery store. I still have 150 feet of thornless raspberries and I see that the marmots are busy breaking down the neocanes to eat the tender tops. I try to corral the neocanes so they can’t be broken down, but this year they are getting to the canes anyway.

I will probably post a progress report again in a month or so, just to communicate my perplexity. Like I said above: What the heck is going on here? 334 marmots trapped and they keep coming.

Ron

 

[ponytug]

Sorry to hear about the influx. We, like @oosik gave up gardening when the ground squirrels (our nemesis here) got too invasive.

Our orchard now has a low HDPE fence and electric netting that combined seems to deter them. I know that I should really trench down 18" and put wire mesh in, but somehow it never rises to the top of my do list.

This year we are awash in mice for some reason. Normally the cats keep them away between the feline scent and predation.

Ferret? Dedicated Jack Russel? Adopt a badger?

Good luck.

All the best,

Peter

 

[RockWrangler]

Sorry to hear about the influx. We, like @oosik gave up gardening when the ground squirrels (our nemesis here) got too invasive.

Our orchard now has a low HDPE fence and electric netting that combined seems to deter them. I know that I should really trench down 18" and put wire mesh in, but somehow it never rises to the top of my do list.

This year we are awash in mice for some reason. Normally the cats keep them away between the feline scent and predation.

Ferret? Dedicated Jack Russel? Adopt a badger?

Good luck.

All the best,

Peter

I cleared a space to put in a greenhouse, thinking I would get a head start on the growing season, then transfer the plants to the garden. The more I thought about it, I realized the varmints were going to get the plants anyway, so decided to give up gardening entirely. I still have the berries and cherries--whatever the birds don't get.

 

[ultrarunner]

FWIW: I find the "Gophinator" stainless traps to be easy to use and quite effective. I have the best success digging down the side tunnels to the main tunnel, placing a trap each direction and covering the hole up with something air and light tight.

At the end of the day, for important plants I found that the use of hardware cloth lined baskets surrounding the plant completely underground is essential.

I only use the traps in the orchard to keep the infestation down to a dull roar.

All the best,

Peter

I saw a gopher free beautiful expanse of lawn in a gated golf community when I viewed an open house.

As part of the original landscape stainless mesh was placed just below the turf…

I considered doing the same but a modest residential lawn is too expensive to maintain with high cost city water… so lawns of my youth are all but gone now.

I have referred several to this semi local outfit…

For Contractors and Landscapers

Contractors and landscapers, buy our 304 stainless steel wire mesh rolls and baskets and let us help with pest animal solutions.

gopherslimited.com

 

[ultrarunner]

Here is a effective no poison self resetting trap with good reviews and used by UC Santa Cruz

Goodnature A24 Rat & Mouse Trap | Non-Toxic & Automatic | Goodnature

Goodnature develops the amazing A24 rat and mouse trap. A pest device that resets itself, is toxin-free, and quick kill. It's perfect to use in living spaces and wild places.

goodnature.co

A18 Squirrel and Large Rodent Trapping Kit | Automatic Trap Company

The A18 Squirrel Trapping Kit has everything you need to confidently and efficiently control squirrels and larger rodents in your area. With customized lure solutions and digital counter, the A18 gives users all the tools they need to have success in their trapping.

goodnature.co

 

[M59]

A rather tongue in cheek response, but it is now time to contact the Ukrainian military and get a few of their drones equipped with automatic rifles and AI software and train them on identifying and eradicating marmots. The first weeks of training could be risky so keep any pets inside. I suggest silenced rifles to keep the noise level to a minimum.

 

[the old grind]

I know that I should really trench down 18" and put wire mesh in, but somehow it never rises to the top of my do list.

Vertical mesh means vermin will just dig deeper to try to get under it. Tie into the fence and bury shallow going outward instead. Marmot and beagle proven to minimize digging at the fence where they try to get in/out.

 

[ponytug]

@RockWrangler ever look at this or the lower cost competition?

Home - H&M Gopher Control

PERC® is designed for use in gopher control, ground squirrel control, prairie dog control and similar rodent control applications, including Agriculture, Pest Control, Municipalities, School Districts, etc. PERC® is an Elegant Solution! Carbon monoxide is one of the most potent yet safe poisons...

handmgophercontrol.com

It just seems like you are getting into the "Big Leagues" with your marmot control.

All the best,

Peter

 

[RockWrangler]

@RockWrangler ever look at this or the lower cost competition?

Home - H&M Gopher Control

PERC® is designed for use in gopher control, ground squirrel control, prairie dog control and similar rodent control applications, including Agriculture, Pest Control, Municipalities, School Districts, etc. PERC® is an Elegant Solution! Carbon monoxide is one of the most potent yet safe poisons...

handmgophercontrol.com

It just seems like you are getting into the "Big Leagues" with your marmot control.

All the best,

Peter

I watched the "how to" video on their website. I was hoping it would have lots of satisfying explosions, but nope, gas only. At this point in the process I am feeling blood-thirsty.

Ron