You step outside and notice fresh dirt mounds, raised ridges, or soft spots under your feet. Across the Bay Area, this is a common issue homeowners face. In most cases, the cause comes down to two underground pests: gophers and moles.
They may look similar at first glance, but how they behave — and how you control them — are very different. Correct identification is the first step toward an effective solution.
Pocket Gophers: The Root Destroyers
Pocket gophers are burrowing rodents that spend nearly their entire lives underground, feeding primarily on plant roots, bulbs, and other vegetation. Once they establish themselves, your yard becomes a reliable food source.
Because they feed below the surface, the first sign homeowners notice is often plant stress — shrubs, lawn areas, or garden plants may suddenly wilt or die without an obvious reason. In some cases, entire plants may appear to disappear as roots are consumed from below.
Signs of gopher activity:
- Crescent- or fan-shaped dirt mounds with a plugged opening on one side
- Sudden plant decline or disappearing vegetation
- Soft or uneven areas in the soil
- Damaged irrigation lines
Moles: The Lawn Disruptors
Moles behave very differently from gophers. They are insectivores — their diet consists primarily of earthworms, grubs, and other soil insects. They do not eat your plants, but the tunnel systems they create disrupt root systems and create uneven, soft areas throughout the lawn.
Mole tunnels appear as raised ridges running across the surface, often creating an irregular network of pathways. Unlike gopher mounds, mole mounds tend to be symmetrical and volcano-shaped.
Signs of mole activity:
- Raised, winding ridges just below the lawn surface
- Volcano-shaped mounds (symmetrical, no crescent plug)
- Soft spots and spongy areas in the lawn
- Lawn appears lifted or uneven in patches
Why Identification Matters for Control
Control strategies differ significantly between gophers and moles. Treating for gophers when you have moles — or vice versa — wastes time and money. A professional assessment ensures you know exactly what you’re dealing with before any control measures are applied.
ATCO’s gopher and mole control program serves homeowners throughout the Bay Area with identification, trapping, exclusion, and long-term management strategies tailored to your property. Contact us for an assessment.