A gopher in the wall is rare, since gophers live entirely underground, and it usually means a gopher or similar animal entered through a foundation gap. Gophers rarely climb into walls, so confirm the animal first. Here is what to do.
- Gophers rarely enter walls, since they live underground.
- Confirm the animal before acting.
- Seal foundation gaps to keep animals out.
- Trapping is the removal method.
Confirm It Is a Gopher
Gophers live almost entirely underground and rarely enter walls. If you hear an animal in the wall, it is more likely a rat, mouse, or vole, which look similar. Identify the animal before treating.
Find the Entry Point
Check the foundation, sill plate, and pipe entries for gaps. Whatever animal is in the wall entered through an opening, and sealing it is the fix.
Trap It
Mouse-sized snap traps or small live traps baited with peanut butter, placed along the wall and near the entry point, work for small animals in walls. For a true gopher, trapping in its burrow outdoors is the method.
Seal the Gap
Seal the foundation gap, pipe entry, or other opening with mesh or caulk. Sealing is what ends the problem.
Frequently Asked Questions
Rarely. Gophers live underground and almost never enter walls. What you hear is more likely a rat, mouse, or vole.
Identify it by sound and droppings, trap it, and seal the foundation gap it entered through.
Through gaps in the foundation, sill plate, and pipe entries. Sealing those openings keeps them out.
Trap them in their burrows. Gophers are solitary, so a trap in the burrow is the reliable method. For more, see The 6 Best Gopher Traps That Actually Work.
