What are the health risks of having gophers on my property?
A. Gophers are known carriers of rabies and monkeypox, a virus that attacks lymph nodes. Be particularly careful if the animal is out of its burrow and does not show fear. Given the shy, reclusive nature of gophers, this is a big clue the animal may be sick. Gophers are commonly infested with lice, fleas, ticks and mites, as is common with all rodents. Domestic pets often encounter gophers. They might dig one up, or catch an unwary one making a rare trip above ground. Now your dog or cat has fleas and will bring them inside. These parasites like people almost as well as they like gophers. A less commonly recognized health risk is injury from stepping into holes, tunnels or voids created by their digging and tunneling habits. Twisted or sprained ankles and even broken legs are common. Be particularly careful riding a horse in gopher country as both horse and rider and be injured or even killed.
