Gopher Control in Olympia

Signs of Pocket Gophers Versus Moles

Pocket gophers excavate underground tunnel systems and push displaced soil to the surface, creating visible lawn mounds. Moles also travel below ground, but they’re different animals with different activity patterns. A mound alone doesn’t establish which animal is present, so its location and shape, along with the distribution of other visible signs, should be evaluated before management options are selected.

An inspection may consider several property clues:

• Soil mounds: Fresh or recurring deposits can help document where excavation is occurring.
• Tunnel patterns: Raised or disturbed areas may provide additional context about underground movement.
• Damage locations: Activity near lawns, planting beds, or landscaped areas helps define the extent of the concern.

The appropriate response can differ substantially depending on the animal involved. In the Olympia area, an assessment must account for the possibility of protected Mazama pocket gophers rather than treating every mound as evidence of an unrestricted pest species.

Mazama Pocket Gopher Protections in Thurston County

Four Mazama pocket gopher subspecies found in Thurston and Pierce counties, including the Olympia pocket gopher, were listed as threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act in 2014. This designation protects species considered likely to become endangered. Intentionally or unintentionally trapping a listed Mazama pocket gopher is prohibited under the Act, including trapping for pest-control purposes.

Washington also identifies the Mazama pocket gopher as a protected species that may not be hunted. These restrictions make it important to evaluate visible signs and property conditions before selecting a management method. Property owners shouldn’t assume that common trapping or relocation practices are lawful for an animal creating underground tunnels.

Rules for pocket gophers that aren’t protected Mazama subspecies include:

• Live trapping is allowed without a special trapping permit.
• Other trap types require a special trapping permit.
• Releasing a legally trapped pocket gopher away from the property where it was caught requires a permit.

These distinctions are why lawful gopher management in Olympia begins with inspection rather than an automatic treatment choice. Wildlife regulations apply even when the activity is damaging landscaping.