Proceedings of the Vertebrate Pest Conference

Trapping is an integral tool in research and control of damage caused by pocket gophers (Thomomys spp.). We evaluated three types of traps (Macabee®, Cinch, Blackhole® Rodent) in a California field trial by comparing the number of captures to activity at the sets (capture efficiency) and separately, the duration of time from first to last capture (time efficiency). On each of six study plots established on irrigated agriculture fields, 60 trap stations were established at locations of gopher mounds. One trap type was used per station and traplines were run continuously for about four days. We captured a total of 256 gophers. Overall, the Cinch trap had the highest capture efficiency (41.7%), followed by the Macabee® trap (27.7%) and the Blackhole® trap (18.3%). The Cinch trap had a significantly greater (P=0.003) capture efficiency than either of the other two trap types, which did not differ (P>0.05). From a time efficiency standpoint, the Cinch trap also ranked first (0.046), the Macabee® trap second at 0.036 and the Blackhole® trap last (0.032), though the differences were not significant (P=0.693). We conclude that the Cinch trap was the most efficient of the three trap types for capturing gophers in this study. Its chief drawback is that the large baseplate makes it more time-consuming to set. The Blackhole® Rodent trap was the least efficient for capturing gophers, and very time-consuming to set and check. Furthermore, the floor of the trap (solid plastic) may have induced trap shyness, even when covered by soil. The Macabee® ranked intermediate in both capture efficiency and time efficiency. Due to its small size and ease to set and check, it will probably remain a popular alternative for capturing pocket gophers. An integrated pest management approach is recommended for the most effective control of pocket gophers.