344 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA — ^EXPERIMENT STATION 



Where to Set the Traps 



The most effective "set" for the Maeabee trap is in the 

 main runicay (fig. 2a), and not in the lateral run (fig. 26) 

 that leads to the surface mound. This necessitates the use of two 

 traps per setting, one in each direction ; but the results are so much 

 more certain and quicker that the catch per trap per day is greater 

 than where but one trap is set in a lateral run where it is often filled 

 with dirt by the gopher. A common stiff-handled twelve-inch iron 

 spoon is of great assistance in finding the main run and in properly 

 placing the trap. This spoon had better be supplemented by a light 

 short-handed shovel, for digging is often necessary to get rid of gophers. 

 The freshest mound should be selected and the probable direction of 

 the main run determined by noting the angle of the dirt-plugged hole. 

 The mounds are usualh'' situated one or two feet distant from, and 

 nearly at right angles to, the main run. 



Method of procedure : Take the bowl of the iron spoon in your 

 hand and push the other (handle) end of the spoon into the ground 

 where you think the lateral is, which leads from the mound to the 

 main run. If the spoon strikes an open lateral you will feel it drop 

 through the opening. If the lateral is filled loosely with dirt the drop 

 will be less noticeable but still plainly felt. If it is plugged tightly it 

 will be necessary to dig down a little distance with a shovel before prob- 

 ing again. If this fails, try a new mound. When the lateral is found, 

 follow it down to the main run, which is always kept open by the 

 gopher. Use the shovel until you have cleared a place where you 

 can set a trap in each direction. Smooth out the hole with the spoon 

 but do not disturb it more than is necessary. Set the treadle, or pan, 

 so that a slight touch will spring the trap, and place the trap well hack 

 within the hole. A little loose dirt should be left in the bottom of the 

 hole, as it will cover the prongs and front end of the trap when the 

 trap is pushed into place. When in place, press the trap down firmly 

 so that it will not slide back if the gopher pushes against it. Then 

 plug the burrow with a clod or a handful of grass or alfalfa and cover 

 completely so that no light can get to the trap. A gopher's instinct 

 prompts him to close tightly all open burrows to keep out his natural 

 enemy, the gopher snake (nature's own gopher trap). Therefore, if 

 poisoned bait or a trap be placed in an open hole, or the hole be left 

 open, the poisoned bait will often be thrown out, to become a menace 

 to stock, or the trap sprung by the dirt which the gopher pushed ahead 

 of him in plugging the open hole. Set the traps and place the poisoned 

 bait well hack in the main runs, which should then be tightly closed. 



