How Much Does It Cost to Get Rid of Gophers and Moles?

Mole and Gopher Exterminator Costs

Professional mole removal costs are similar to professional gopher exterminator costs. (Vole removal tends to be a bit more expensive.) When trapping, mole and gopher removal costs range from $100 to $550, with an average cost of $400.

Note: Costs may be lower for baiting pests, but this method is less effective. Fumigation costs are generally in line with trapping costs but may go higher.

Cost to Remove Moles From Your Yard

Removing moles from your yard can cost anywhere from $125 to $500 when trapping, or as little as $50 to $100 when baiting. Prices for mole removal are similar to other rodent removal costs.

Mole Trapping Prices

Mole trapping costs typically include the price of setting the trap plus the cost of removing the mole(s).

In general, professional pest control services charge $75 to $150 to set the traps after consultation and then $50 to $80 per mole for removal. For example, an exterminator may set traps for $100 and then remove moles for $50 each. If they catch four moles, your total cost would be $300.

Note that professional mole removal often means extermination, not “catch and release.” If you would prefer a humane catch and release service, find a pest control service with humane options before proceeding.

Mole Baiting Costs

It costs less to pay an exterminator to lay poisonous bait, usually between $50 and $100 for three moles. However, poisoned mole bait is less effective (and humane) than trapping (as well as fumigation).

Gopher Removal Cost

Gopher removal prices run between $300 and $500 when trapping. The cost per gopher can vary widely, from $20 to $130. The type of treatment and number of gophers can affect the cost the most.

Another big gopher exterminator cost factor: location. Depending on your area, costs could be as low as $130 for gopher trapping and removal. Rural areas familiar with gopher problems typically have the lowest costs.

Baiting gophers can cost just as little as it does for moles—$50 to $100.

Vole Extermination Cost

Most homeowners pay between $500 and $600 for vole extermination. The initial home inspection is between $150 and $250, and the follow-up visit and treatment usually cost $350.

Voles look like mice (and are commonly mistaken for them), but the biggest difference is that voles live mostly outside. Because voles both burrow and reproduce rapidly, it’s easy for an infestation to grow out of control in a short amount of time. That’s why vole infestations are typically more costly to treat.

One of the best ways to prevent voles is by getting rid of any potential food sources. Voles love fruit and nuts; take care of any fallen produce from fruit trees. It’s also a good idea to keep compost or bird feeders in enclosed areas.

Mole and Gopher Treatment Cost by Type

Common treatments for moles, gophers, voles, and similar pests include bait, traps, fumigation, and even DIY humane removal, like ultrasonic devices. The type of treatment you go with will ultimately affect the removal cost.

Bait

Poisonous bait for gophers, moles, and voles can range in cost from $50 to $100 for a few pests. Bait is not as effective as other methods, and there is no humane way to catch gophers and moles with bait.

You can purchase poisonous mole and gopher bait online, but placement is critical to success. Homeowners should consider safety concerns and state and local laws regarding poisonous bait before purchasing. For that reason, it makes more sense to hire a pest removal service to set the bait.

Traps

Professional trapping for moles runs from $125 to $500; gopher exterminators charge between $300 and $500 for gopher traps.

You can purchase mole and gopher traps for anywhere from $15 to $100, but for true infestations, it’s more effective to have a professional set traps. They will also handle the removal of the pest, whether it’s disposing of its body or releasing the live animal at a proper distance.

Fumigation

In general, fumigation for voles, moles, and gophers costs from $300 to $500, roughly the same as traps. However, fumigation costs can reach as high as $1,000, depending on the extent of the problem. In addition to the fumigation, professionals will charge to remove the bodies of the exterminated animals.

Because fumigation requires chemicals with restricted use (like aluminum phosphide), this work must be left to a professional. Pest control services handle the yard fumigation and will let you know when it is safe for you, your family, and your pets to return to your lawn.

DIY Removal

To save money on the mole or gopher exterminator cost, you can purchase traps or ultrasonic devices and install them yourself. Traps range from $15 to $100 and include humane options (usually more expensive). Ultrasonic devices cost around $60 for a set, but you might need more than one set.

When setting traps yourself, research where and how to set them. You’ll also want to confirm how far away you need to drive the captured gopher or mole if doing catch and release.

Homeowners can install ultrasonic devices in their yards to keep out unwanted pests. These repellants use sound and vibrations to scare off gophers and moles from your yard. Some run on batteries; more expensive brands might have solar-powered options. While this is a humane option, consider that you might chase them into your neighbors’ yards, who might have inhumane, lethal traps set.

Gopher and Mole Removal Cost Factors

Beyond the type of pest and treatment, additional cost factors can affect the overall price of removal:

• Area: In general, the larger the area that you need to treat for gophers, moles, and voles, the higher the cost will be.

• Soil: If your yard’s soil is more difficult to work with, pest control companies may charge more.

• Frequency of service: Some areas are more attractive to gophers and moles, meaning you might need to regularly hire pest control services to eliminate the problem.

• Level of infestation: If you catch the problem when there are early signs of infestation, your costs may be lower. But if the pests have reproduced, the problem will be larger and more difficult to treat. Voles reproduce rapidly, which is why their extermination costs tend to be higher.

Additional Gopher Removal Costs

On top of the actual mole or gopher extermination cost, you may need to budget for additional costs:

• Permits: Some states or cities may require special permits before trapping and/or exterminating certain wildlife. If you are trying to DIY your pest removal, you’ll need to determine if you need a permit for your specific pest and location.

• Yard restoration: If an exterminator causes damage to your yard during their process (or if the moles and gophers themselves have caused damage), you’ll need to budget for yard maintenance afterward. For example, sprinkler repair costs $125 to $400, while lawn reseeding costs about $1,000 on average.

• Preventative maintenance: Installing repellants, like ultrasonic devices, is a good way to keep gophers and moles out of your yard. You can buy a set of ultrasonic devices for around $60; if you have a larger property, you may need to buy several sets. You can also try natural repellants like castor oil, coffee grounds, and garlic stakes. Some plants, like lavender and marigolds, can also repel pests; the cost to have plants installed ranges from $25 to $50 per plant.

DIY Gopher & Mole Removal vs. Hiring an Exterminator

Removing gophers and moles on your own might seem less expensive, but DIY solutions are often much less effective and more time-consuming than hiring a professional. Animal removal services cost anywhere from $200 and $550 but can actually save you money. A failed DIY approach that leads to further damage will cost even more to fix.

Flooding or filling in tunnels rarely works (moles can actually swim for an hour at a time!). Setting your own poisonous traps may seem good in theory, but it can harm other animals or pets. Working with toxic substances is risky for humans as well. For the best and most lasting results, contact a mole or gopher exterminator near you.

FAQs

How do you get rid of moles?

To get rid of moles, pest control professionals may use poisonous bait, set traps, use fumigation, or employ a combination of these treatments. Depending on the treatment, the company will return to remove the bodies or set the moles free in a better environment far enough away from your home. You can try to remove moles yourself using traps and repellents, but large infestations are better left to professionals.

How can you get rid of gophers?

A pest control company gets rid of gophers by first looking at the infestation and deciding where to set traps. They’ll usually set at least two traps or poisonous baits, then come back to check the progress. Depending on how the company goes about gopher removal, they’ll either dispose of the gopher or set them free.

How can you get rid of moles and gophers humanely?

You can get rid of gophers and moles humanely by using humane traps that don’t harm the animals. You or a trained pest control specialist can set the traps and, once caught, safely transfer them to a rural location at least 5 miles away from your property. To keep moles and gophers off your property humanely, use ultrasonic devices planted in the ground.

Do coffee grounds repel gophers?

Coffee grounds can effectively repel gophers and other burrowing animals, including moles. However, excessive amounts of coffee grounds might damage your lawn and plants. Talk with a professional pest control company about the best natural solutions for repelling gophers and other pests.

What do pest control companies do to get rid of gophers?

Pest control companies can deploy a variety of treatments to get rid of gophers, including traps, bait, and fumigation. When trapping, they can use humane traps for catch and release or use extermination traps; in either scenario, the company will come back to remove the gophers. To prevent gophers from returning, you can install ultrasonic devices in your yard or use natural repellants.