# What Do Gophers Hate the Most?
**URL:** https://forums.thanoshome.com/t/what-do-gophers-hate-the-most/959
**Category:** Burrowing Pests
**Created:** [April 29, 2024, 12:59am UTC](https://forums.thanoshome.com/t/what-do-gophers-hate-the-most/959 "2024-04-29T00:59:17Z")
**Posts on this page:** 15
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@NoisyNancy123](https://forums.thanoshome.com/u/NoisyNancy123)
#### Post date: [April 29, 2024, 12:59am UTC](https://forums.thanoshome.com/t/what-do-gophers-hate-the-most/959/1 "2024-04-29T00:59:17Z")
Has anyone noticed that gophers seem really sensitive to noise? I mean, I just start mowing my lawn and I see them fleeing!
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### Author:  [@GopherGuy87](https://forums.thanoshome.com/u/GopherGuy87)
#### Post date: [April 29, 2024, 1:01am UTC](https://forums.thanoshome.com/t/what-do-gophers-hate-the-most/959/2 "2024-04-29T01:01:08Z")
You’re right, NoisyNancy123. Gophers have very sensitive hearing. They can detect even slight vibrations in the ground. Loud noises can feel disruptive to their peace.
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### Author:  [@nature\_fanatic](https://forums.thanoshome.com/u/nature_fanatic)
#### Post date: [April 29, 2024, 1:02am UTC](https://forums.thanoshome.com/t/what-do-gophers-hate-the-most/959/3 "2024-04-29T01:02:57Z")
Actually, studies have shown that they dislike loud disturbances because it interferes with their ability to listen for predators and other gophers. It’s a survival thing!
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### Author:  [@jurgen-strangmann](https://forums.thanoshome.com/u/jurgen-strangmann)
#### Post date: [July 19, 2024, 3:19am UTC](https://forums.thanoshome.com/t/what-do-gophers-hate-the-most/959/4 "2024-07-19T03:19:39Z")
Gopher is similar as mole, I find this article is useful. Hope it is help.
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### Author:  [@GopherGuard](https://forums.thanoshome.com/u/GopherGuard)
#### Post date: [September 8, 2025, 2:40am UTC](https://forums.thanoshome.com/t/what-do-gophers-hate-the-most/959/5 "2025-09-08T02:40:33Z")
Gophers really dislike the smell of castor oil, garlic, and peppermint. Those scents irritate them and often prompt them to move elsewhere
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### Author:  [@abeccot](https://forums.thanoshome.com/u/abeccot)
#### Post date: [September 8, 2025, 2:42am UTC](https://forums.thanoshome.com/t/what-do-gophers-hate-the-most/959/6 "2025-09-08T02:42:43Z")
Yep! I acid-tested this with spray applications around my beds, castor oil repellent knocked them off fast. But it wears out after rain, so reapplication is crucial
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### Author:  [@HerbHoarder](https://forums.thanoshome.com/u/HerbHoarder)
#### Post date: [September 8, 2025, 2:47am UTC](https://forums.thanoshome.com/t/what-do-gophers-hate-the-most/959/7 "2025-09-08T02:47:40Z")
I planted mint and rosemary around my garden edges, and noticed gopher activity dropped. They don’t like the strong smells
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### Author:  [@EcoEngineer](https://forums.thanoshome.com/u/EcoEngineer)
#### Post date: [September 8, 2025, 2:53am UTC](https://forums.thanoshome.com/t/what-do-gophers-hate-the-most/959/8 "2025-09-08T02:53:06Z")
@HerbHoarder That sounds like a smart, low-impact approach. I’ve also seen references to daffodils and lavender being effective, they repel and look pretty too
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### Author:  [@BarrierBuilder](https://forums.thanoshome.com/u/BarrierBuilder)
#### Post date: [September 8, 2025, 3:32am UTC](https://forums.thanoshome.com/t/what-do-gophers-hate-the-most/959/9 "2025-09-08T03:32:04Z")
Physical defenses work too, burying hardware cloth or gopher mesh at least 18–24 inches deep around raised beds really keeps them out
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### Author:  [@NoisyNeighbor](https://forums.thanoshome.com/u/NoisyNeighbor)
#### Post date: [September 8, 2025, 3:44am UTC](https://forums.thanoshome.com/t/what-do-gophers-hate-the-most/959/10 "2025-09-08T03:44:01Z")
Wind chimes or underground sonic stakes that vibrate the soil can make gophers super uncomfortable. It won’t kill them, but it can encourage them to leave
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### Author:  [@SkepticalSam1](https://forums.thanoshome.com/u/SkepticalSam1)
#### Post date: [September 8, 2025, 3:47am UTC](https://forums.thanoshome.com/t/what-do-gophers-hate-the-most/959/11 "2025-09-08T03:47:22Z")
Not a fan of castor bean plants, they repel gophers but are toxic to pets. If you try that, plant them in fenced spots kids and dogs can’t reach.
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### Author:  [@PredatorPromoter](https://forums.thanoshome.com/u/PredatorPromoter)
#### Post date: [September 8, 2025, 3:57am UTC](https://forums.thanoshome.com/t/what-do-gophers-hate-the-most/959/12 "2025-09-08T03:57:48Z")
I read that attracting natural predators, like barn owls or using predator urine (fox, coyote), also deters gophers. Creates a sense of danger underground
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### Author:  [@CrowdSourceCarl](https://forums.thanoshome.com/u/CrowdSourceCarl)
#### Post date: [September 8, 2025, 3:57am UTC](https://forums.thanoshome.com/t/what-do-gophers-hate-the-most/959/13 "2025-09-08T03:57:50Z")
Had great results with raised beds lined with hardware cloth, plus a sprinkle of garlic and peppermint oil. No tunnels or mounds all season.
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### Author:  [@BalancedBetsy](https://forums.thanoshome.com/u/BalancedBetsy)
#### Post date: [September 8, 2025, 4:14am UTC](https://forums.thanoshome.com/t/what-do-gophers-hate-the-most/959/14 "2025-09-08T04:14:50Z")
So, summarizing what works best:
- **Strong smells** like castor oil, peppermint, garlic, lavender, daffodils
- **Natural predators** or predator scents
- **Vibrations** or sonic repellents
- **Physical barriers** like deep mesh or gopher baskets
Combine a few methods for the most effective, humane control.
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### Author:  [@Thanos-defender](https://forums.thanoshome.com/u/Thanos-defender)
#### Post date: [July 14, 2026, 12:38am UTC](https://forums.thanoshome.com/t/what-do-gophers-hate-the-most/959/15 "2026-07-14T00:38:02Z")
Official note: gophers are most affected by disruption in active tunnel areas, not by random smells placed far from fresh mounds. Track fresh soil movement, then place deterrents where the animal is actively traveling.
For Thanos mole/gopher deterrent use, see: [Sonic Mole Spike – Thanos Home](https://thanoshome.com/product/mole-sonic-spike/)