Operator`s manual

Rev. 11/07/2006
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© 2007 E.B. Meyer, Inc
Determining soil composition or plasticity for Pocket Gophers
Soil composition or plasticity is the determining factor in the amount of gas mixture that is
injected in the burrowing animals’ tunnel system for successful results.
If the soil is composed of a denser material such as clay with minimal moisture, the
amount of gas necessary to inject into the tunnel would be considerably less compared to
soil that is lighter in density as with sandy or loamy compositions.
More simply, dense dry clay soil helps contain the underground shockwave by allowing the
shockwave to travel deeper into the tunnels without absorption of the shockwave by the
tunnel. This type of soil composition may require the minimal amount of gas during the
application process.
Pocket gopher tunnels in light sandy or moist clay soils have a tendency to absorb the
shockwave and may require more gas during the application process.
Locating Mounds and Tunnels
Before starting your work, carefully plan your application. Start by sectioning the field into
quadrants (equal sections). Work one section thoroughly before starting another.
The key to successfully treating pocket gophers is locating fresh mounds only. Fresh
mounds reveal which tunnel systems are active and will provide the best result in
eliminating both the pocket gophers and the majority of their open tunnels.
Note: Try to schedule the applications “before breakfast” and “after dinner”. In
other words, early morning and late afternoon.
This technique will get you into the field when the pocket gophers are actively
working to excavate their tunnels to gather grasses and roots.
Types of Mounds
Pocket gophers normally make fan shaped mounds as part of their excavation activities.
There are two other mounds that are often overlooked - small dome shaped boils and
larger mounds that are from the major excavation of a den site.
Fan Shaped Mounds - Granular Appearance or Composition
These mounds are constructed by the gopher for normal excavation of soil from the
gophers’ main tunnel to the surface via a lateral tunnel. The excavation of these tunnels
may occur as the gopher is looking for better food sources or may be cleaning tunnels that
have collapsed or have been flooded.
With normal tunneling activity, the dirt excavated to the surface may appear to be a
granular composition at the excavation site (mound). The application to this type of mound
and tunnel will generally have good results.
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