How to Kill Gophers With Granola

Not only do gophers leave unsightly holes in your lawn or garden, but they also can destroy vegetation and steal your garden crops, if left unchecked. If the gophers on your property have outsmarted traps or you want to ensure the gopher dies, consider using a bait of zinc phosphide-laced granola. When the gopher ingests the zinc phosphide a gas forms inside the digestive track, and eventually spreads toxins in the blood stream. Zinc phosphide is toxic to rodents but not to other household pets like strychnine.

Zinc phosphide pellets

Raisins or minced carrots

Paint stick

Container

Pour the zinc phosphide bait in a large container.

Add a small amount of sweetened granola and raisins or minced carrots to zinc phosphide, to entice the gophers even more to the bait. Use the extra ingredients sparingly, as you want the gopher to primarily ingest the zinc phosphide.

Stir the ingredients together with a paint stick to combine them thoroughly.

Spread the granola bait near the entrance and inside the holes, where the gopher is likely to eat it and take back into the tunnel. Avoid placing the bait on wet soil or grass. The zinc phosphide pellets dissolve in moist soil. Repeat the application process over the next several days until you no longer notice new gopher holes.

Clearly mark the gopher granola with a warning label, and the name of the mixture, so there is no doubt of what is actually inside the container.

Store the granola mixture in a sealed container, up high where children cannot access it.

Don’t leave the granola mixture where young children can see it; they may think it is regular granola and eat it.