Do you have gophers or moles in your garden? There are many different ways that can be used to kill pocket gophers in your yard.
Have you ever considered dry ice? does dry ice kill gophers and moles?
Dry ice can be used to kill gophers and moles. The dry ice turned in to a gas when it turns from being solid and can suffocate gophers and moles.
Does Dry Ice Kill Gophers & Moles?
If you don’t know, dry ice is a solid form of carbon dioxide. It does not change from solid to liquid, it sublimates. It changes directly from solid to gas.
So, let’s find out how it works.
Yes, it really kills these rodents.
But, for that, you have to use it properly.
Sometimes, people use dry ice to kill these rodents, but they don’t follow the instructions or they do some mistakes.
What happens next?
They say, “Hey, dry ice doesn’t work. It’s just a waste of time.”
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This is not only the case with this solid carbon dioxide. Whatever home remedy or commercial product you are using, if you don’t use it correctly, it is not going to work.
How to Use Dry Ice to Kill Gophers & Moles
Caution (Important): Dry ice has approximately -100oF temperature, therefore it is cold enough to freeze your skin cells, and it can produce serious injuries. So, do not make any physical contact with it. Wear heavy gloves or something like a thick towel while handling it.
When you’re breaking the dry ice, wear any protective goggles. Do not store it in an airtight container, because when the carbon dioxide expands, the container can explode. For more information, this article can be helpful.
Step 1: First thing you have to do is to find all the gopher holes present in your yard. If your yard is close to your neighbour’s, then you need the cooperation of your neighbours too.
Step 2: Get some dry ice, and break it into small pieces so that it can be easily dropped into the holes.
Step 3: Be ready, you’ve to be quick. Put a chunk of dry ice into a gopher hole as deeply as you can. Use any tool or your hand (but don’t forget to wear gloves & protective clothing). Now, immediately cover the hole with dirt so the gas won’t go outside. As CO2 is heavy than oxygen, it’ll displace the O2 from the ground.
Step 4: Now, repeat the step 3 with all the gopher holes. But, you have to be quick. When the dry ice sublimates, Gophers will sense it and they will try to run from the other holes. Therefore, quickly put the solid CO2 in all the holes and cover it with dirt.
You can also ask your neighbors to put some dry ice in their holes, if not, then at least cover the holes with dirt otherwise, they will move towards your neighbour’s yard, and they’ll be safe. It will slowly kill all the gophers in their tunnels because they won’t find any oxygen to breathe.
In this video, he uses dry ice to take down groundhog. But, the process is similar. So, check it out.
Other Methods You Can Use
If you don’t want to kill gophers with dry ice, then you can go with other methods. Some of them are given below.
- How to Kill Gophers with Juicy Fruit Gum
- Killing Gophers & Moles with Propane
- Use Poison
- Use Traps
These rodents can create a big mess in our garden, and therefore we need to take them down.
If you use dry ice to remove these rodents from your property, then please leave a comment after that about your experience.
Why Does Dry Ice Kill Rodents
Dry ice, which is solid carbon dioxide (CO2), can be used as a method for killing rodents, such as rats and mice, in specific situations. This method is sometimes referred to as “dry ice bombing” or “dry ice carbonation.” The process works as follows:
- Carbon Dioxide Exposure: Dry ice releases carbon dioxide gas as it sublimates (changes from a solid to a gas). When placed in an enclosed space, the sublimation process generates a high concentration of carbon dioxide gas.
- Rodent Exposure: If dry ice is introduced into rodent burrows, nests, or other confined spaces where rodents are present, the rising concentration of carbon dioxide can displace the oxygen in the air, leading to hypoxia (a lack of oxygen).
- Suffocation: Rodents require oxygen to survive, and the increasing levels of carbon dioxide can lead to asphyxiation. When the oxygen levels drop significantly, rodents may be unable to breathe, leading to their death from suffocation. It’s important to note that using dry ice to kill rodents is a method that should be applied with caution, as it raises ethical and safety considerations.
- Safety Precautions: Handling dry ice can be hazardous if not done properly. It’s essential to take safety precautions, such as wearing gloves and eye protection, when working with dry ice to avoid frostbite and other potential risks.
- Ethical Considerations: The use of dry ice or other methods to kill rodents should be carried out humanely and in compliance with local regulations and guidelines.
- Effectiveness: The effectiveness of dry ice as a method for rodent control may vary, and it may not eliminate all rodents in the targeted area.
In summary, dry ice can be used to displace oxygen in confined spaces and kill rodents through suffocation.
