City of Regina’s Gopher Control Program Begins

The City of Regina is committed to responsibly controlling pests. As the Gopher Control Program begins in 2022, we want to ensure that residents take precautions to avoid areas targeted for application, particularly with children and pets.

An overpopulation of gophers can be a nuisance, creating holes in public spaces and athletic fields that cause safety issues for humans and pets. The Government of Saskatchewan has declared gophers as pests, which requires the City to control gophers on publicly owned property.

Twenty-three areas identified for pest control throughout the city will be marked with yellow signs. Staff will visit sites daily for several weeks following the pest control application to clean up and ensure continued safety. Signs will actively be maintained for several weeks and only removed once staff are satisfied that the site is clear of product. We urge the public to keep their dogs on a leash or avoid these posted areas entirely.

The City will apply ‘Rozol RTU’, which is approved for use by Health Canada for the control of gophers in rough turf areas. Its application will be limited to ‘buffer zones’ or rough turf areas throughout the city along storm channels, and roadway and railway buffers. It will not be applied to the City’s athletic fields and traditional park spaces.

Spring is the best time for application as the gophers emerge from their burrows in search of food. The program will continue for the next several weeks.

The City is committed to keeping residents updated on this work. For more information on the City’s integrated pest control management strategy, visit Regina.ca.