Riverside Gopher Extermination Season In Full Swing this summer

RIVERSIDE, Calif. - July 15, 2013 - PRLog -- Gopher season starts in March in Riverside and the rest of Southern California and by April the season is in full swing. Rodent Guys Gopher Control Service (http://www.rodentguys.com/Riverside_Gopher.html) says to expect a large population of gophers this year. The expectation of a gopher population explosion is because of the changes in recent laws banning the use of the effective gopher control poisons used by licensed professionals.

The new laws are two fold because the most effective product has been banned and the second most effective is no longer manufactured. Fumitoxin, a highly debated topic in gopher control (http://rodent-guys.com/gophers-moles-squirrels/gopher-control-riverside/), is no longer allowed for residential use. The poison is in dry tabs that when placed in the ground and react with water, will release phosphine gas. This deadly gas is extremely toxic and a very effective chemical.

The federal ban has restricted the use of Fumitoxin for any residence and for commercial and agricultural applications it cannot be used within 100 feet or any structure. This poison is allowed at cemeteries, athletic fields or golf courses; however, no application of this poison is allowed within 100 feet of any structure , including pump houses, bathrooms, or neighboring property buildings such as garages or even dog houses.
Pest control operators did have another poison that was similar to homeowner’s options but 3.5 times stronger. The poison was strychnine which is available to homeowners at 0.5% strength. Up until recently a licensed operator could purchase 1.8% which worked much better. Because of a worldwide shortage of strychnine this is no longer available. Now even licensed professionals can only buy hardware store strength poison which has limited effects.

Rodent Guys claims the gopher situation is getting worse. The less efficient poisons are creating a problem for companies to gain control of pests on properties. The available poisons are not obtaining the control levels and the gopher populations are increasing. Many pest control companies have stopped offering gopher control because they cannot keep customers happy under the new laws.

Rodent Guys says they have had to change their methods all together and rarely use poisons at all. The techniques now involve carbon monoxide gas and trapping. Owner of Rodent Guys, Nick Nielsen, says he prefers trapping because outside of Fumitoxin it is the most reliable method. Carbon Monoxide gas is also used in their new techniques which increases the effectiveness and helps to eliminate babies in the nest as well.


Rodent Guys predicts they will be among the few gopher removal companies left because they continually evolve their techniques to comply with the new laws and still achieve high control levels. More about Rodent Guys Gopher Control Service for Riverside can be found on their website at http://www.rodentguys.com or call them at 866-931-1287.