Gophers, Ground Squirrels, and Artificial Turf in Sacramento: Handle This Before You Install

Nobody talks about this before the estimate. Then on installation day, we're excavating and suddenly there are tunnel systems running underneath the entire yard. Gophers and ground squirrels are a serious problem in Sacramento — and if you don't deal with them before turf goes down, you're going to have problems.

Why Gophers and Turf Don't Mix

Gophers push up from below. With natural grass, a fresh mound is annoying but harmless. With artificial turf, an active gopher can push up the turf from underneath, breaking the seams or creating bubbles in the surface. We've seen it happen within weeks of installation on yards where the rodent problem wasn't addressed first.

What to Do Before You Call Us

Get a pest control company out to bait or trap active gopher and ground squirrel populations before your install date. You want the activity to stop for at least 2–3 weeks before we excavate. If we open up the ground and find fresh tunneling, we'll flag it — but we won't install turf over an active infestation. It's not worth it for either of us.

The Gopher Wire Option

For yards with a history of persistent gopher problems, we can install galvanized gopher wire in the base layer as an extra barrier. It adds cost and installation time, but for properties near open fields or greenbelt areas where gopher pressure is ongoing, it's often the right call. We'll discuss it during the estimate if it applies to your property.

Ground Squirrels Are Different

Ground squirrels burrow from the sides and edges more than directly underneath. Edge sealing and border treatment matter for these properties. We design accordingly.

Point is: deal with the wildlife first, then call us. Free estimate once you're ready.