Do Gophers Like Basil

Do gophers like basil? Yes, gophers do like basil, and it can be a tasty treat for them, but it’s not always their first choice.
 
If you’ve been asking yourself whether gophers like basil because you’re trying to protect your garden, you’re in the right place.
 
While gophers like basil, they’ll often munch on it if other options are scarce, but they have definite preferences for other plants.
 
In this post, we’ll dig into why gophers like basil, how to tell if they’ve been eating yours, and what you can do to keep them from wiping out your herb patch.
 
Let’s get right into the dirt and explore this leafy question.
 

Why Gophers Like Basil And What Attracts Them

Gophers like basil for a few simple reasons related to texture, smell, and accessibility.
 
These burrowing rodents aren’t picky eaters when hungry, but they do have favorites, and basil definitely lands on their radar.
 
Here’s why gophers like basil and how you can spot their handiwork before it’s too late.
 

1. Basil’s Soft Leaves Are Easy to Chew

Gophers like basil because its tender leaves are incredibly easy to bite through.
 
Unlike woody stems or tough roots, basil offers a soft, moist bite that requires minimal effort.
 
This makes it attractive when gophers are foraging quickly underground or at night.
 
If you’ve ever seen half-eaten basil leaves with clean, angled cuts, that’s a classic gopher signature.
 

2. The Aroma Doesn’t Deter Them Like You’d Think

Many gardeners assume strong-smelling herbs repel gophers, but gophers like basil despite its fragrant oils.
 
Basil’s aroma comes from compounds like linalool, but these don’t bother gophers much.
 
In fact, the scent might even help them locate the plant more easily once they’ve found it once.
 
So don’t rely on smell alone to keep gophers away from your basil.
 

3. Proximity to Their Tunnels Makes Basil a Target

Gophers like basil even more when it’s planted near their tunnel systems.
 
These rodents stay within a few feet of their burrows, so any plant within that range becomes easy pickings.
 
If your basil bed sits close to a gopher mound or raised soil ridge, it’s essentially a buffet sign.
 
The closer basil is to their underground highways, the more likely gophers like basil as a regular snack.
 

Signs That Gophers Like Basil In Your Garden

Before you can solve the problem, you need to confirm whether gophers like basil in your specific yard.
 
You might see other culprits like rabbits or squirrels, but gophers leave very distinct clues.
 
Here’s how to know if gophers like basil and are visiting your plants at night.
 

1. Plants Pulled Down Into the Soil

One of the clearest signs gophers like basil is when entire plants disappear down into the earth.
 
Gophers grab basil from below, pulling the stem and leaves into their tunnel.
 
You’ll notice holes near the base where the plant used to be, often with a few stray leaves left behind.
 
This is different from rabbits, which clip stems and leave them lying on the ground.
 

2. Fan-Shaped Mounds Around Your Bed

Gophers create distinctive fan-shaped mounds of loose soil when they dig.
 
If you see these mounds popping up near your basil, it’s a strong sign that gophers like basil and are actively working the area.
 
These mounds are usually plugged with dirt, and they appear suddenly after a rain or watering.
 
Check around your basil plants for these telltale dirt fans.
 

3. Root Damage With the Top Still Intact

Sometimes gophers like basil so much they eat the roots before the leaves show any damage.
 
Your basil may look healthy one day, then suddenly wilt and die the next.
 
Pull up the plant, and you’ll find the root system completely chewed off or missing.
 
That’s a dead giveaway that gophers like basil below the surface, not just above it.
 

How To Protect Basil From Gophers That Like Basil

Once you know gophers like basil in your garden, it’s time to take action.
 
You don’t have to give up on growing this delicious herb, you just need smarter strategies.
 
Here are proven ways to keep gophers from enjoying your basil harvest before you do.
 

1. Use Underground Wire Baskets

The most reliable method is to plant basil inside a wire mesh basket.
 
Gophers like basil, but they can’t chew through hardware cloth or galvanized wire.
 
Line the planting hole with a cage that extends several inches below and above the root ball.
 
This physical barrier keeps gophers from reaching the roots and pulling plants down.
 

2. Try Raised Beds With a Solid Bottom

Raised beds with a wire or solid bottom effectively stop gophers from tunneling up into your basil.
 
Gophers like basil, but they’ll ignore it if they can’t physically access the soil underneath.
 
Install a layer of hardware cloth at the base of your raised bed before adding soil.
 
This simple step makes your entire herb garden gopher-proof.
 

3. Plant Basil Near Repellent Companions

While gophers like basil on its own, they dislike certain companion plants enough to avoid the area.
 
Try planting basil alongside marigolds, daffodils, or alliums like onions and garlic.
 
The strong scents from these companions can confuse and deter gophers from exploring your basil patch.
 
It’s not a perfect solution, but it reduces the chance gophers like basil enough to risk the bad smells.
 

4. Use a Gopher Trap Early and Often

If gophers like basil and are already active, trapping is your best bet.
 
Set traps directly in the fresh tunnels you spot near your basil.
 
Place the trap inside the tunnel opening and cover it with a bucket to block light.
 
Check daily and relocate or dispose of trapped gophers as needed.
 

So, Do Gophers Like Basil Enough To Be A Problem?

Yes, gophers do like basil enough to cause real damage in your garden.
 
While they might prefer juicy roots or bulbs, they won’t pass up easy access to tender basil leaves and stems.
 
Gophers like basil when it’s convenient, especially if their tunnels run right under your herb bed.
 
The good news is you can protect your basil with simple barriers, smart planting, and quick trapping.
 
So now that you know gophers like basil, you can stay one step ahead and keep your harvest safe.
 
Happy gardening, and may your basil stay firmly in your hands, not in a gopher’s belly.