What Is a Consumer Contract in Business

Latest update: November 24, 2024. Page URL indicates original publication date; meanwhile, times change and the updates continue.

Businesses Know Consumers Blindly Sign Anything and Everything

The former title for this article was Beware Unfair, Fraudulent, Scam Consumer Contracts - Just Say No. This page is a cautionary note. Unethical consumer contracts are the ultimate definition of SWAG (Stolen Without a Gun).

Consumer contracts are not your friend.

Contracts and the Law and You and the Judge

"But, your honor!?!" I said to the judge...

Judge, “You signed a contract.”

Me, “You mean that paragraph at the bottom of the application form?”

Judge, “Yes.”

Me, “But every bank in the country has that clause.”

Judge, “What clause?”

Me, “The sentence that says I’ve read and agreed to their charter; that I’ve read and agreed to all their bylaws; that I’ve read and agreed to all their rules and regulations. All of that stuff would be a stack of paper from the floor to the ceiling; and they wouldn’t even have copies at the branch for me to read anyway.”

Judge, “I know. But anything you sign is a contract.” (He is right of course.)

Me, “But every financial institution in the country has that clause.”

Judge, “I know.”

Me, “But if we don’t sign, we can’t get a checking account, savings account, credit card account or loan anywhere!”

Judge, “Sucks, doesn’t it?”

Me, “What do I owe?”

Judge, “Well, let’s see what they made up... Yep, that’s what you owe.”

The above story is fictional, but versions of it happen in real life thousands of times every month. That is why I never do business with national banks or credit card companies. Finding a local credit union is the only way to go; they have versions of the same clause, but most of them are not thieves (see referenced article).

Needless to say, unethical consumer contracts don't just apply to national banks. In fact, there are credit card companies out there that are 10 times worse than any bank. Cable companies are another example, which is one reason why customers are leaving them in droves. Some cellphone carriers are also less than scrupulous, their contracts sometime include a clause stating you have to pay them even when they don't provide the agreed upon services. And then there is the worst of the worst, otherwise known as private sector contracts having to do with anything medical.

Warnings and Alerts About Consumer Contracts

You have no civil rights when you blindly give them away by signing a multi-page, fine print contract without reading it. This happens all the time. The days of trusting an entity just because they are a large corporation or an established business are long gone. This is especially applicable as to credit card companies, medical entities, financial institutions, auto repair entities, and pretty much any and all other service-related entities. Corporate greed is the rule, not the exception.
Read the contract. If it’s too long for you to read and understand at the time, don’t sign it. If any of the print is too small for you to read, don’t sign it. If there is anything in it you don’t like or understand, don’t sign it. If it's incomplete, don't sign it. If you don't know what you are doing, don't sign it.
By definition anything you sign is a contract; whether it be just a single word, phrase, sentence, paragraph, or a hundred page document. Whenever someone tries to get you to sign something, it is for their benefit, not yours.
Reading a contract will give you an education; not reading a contract will give you an “adventure”.
Unethical contracts and incompetent/unethical civil laws victimize more people than all legally defined criminal activity combined. It is the ultimate definition of SWAG (Stolen without a Gun).

Beware Consumer Contracts

About Class Action Lawsuits

A class action lawsuit can result when a significant number of consumers have been victimized. Sometimes the company made an honest mistake, a defective product for example. Many times, however, class action lawsuits can result from SWAG consumer contracts or other behavior so egregious that it can't be covered up anymore. Personally, I think some of these cases should be in criminal court as opposed to civil court. If you happen to notice a class action lawsuit you are eligible to join as a member, you might as well sign up for it. You may not get much in the way of compensation, but at least you will get something.

Side note: I am not an attorney. Any attorney, legal firm, or government agency who specializes in defending/protecting/helping consumers and patients are welcome to post links to their websites in the comments section below. Any attorney or legal firm doing consumer-related or patient-related class action lawsuits are also welcome to post relevant links.

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How to Contribute to Society Through Self-Interest - An Inquiry and Examples

Latest update: November 24, 2024. Page URL indicates original publication date; meanwhile, times change, and the updates continue.

An alternate title for this page could be How Self-Interest Can Benefit and Contribute to Society. It is easier to contribute to society than one thinks. As an example, anyone who has an honest job is contributing to society. Another example, anyone who is raising children is contributing to society.

Do you own your own business or are otherwise self-employed? Then you are contributing to society. When people are willing to pay you for an honest product or service; then by definition, you are providing a product or service that people want or need. That is contributing to society.

Basically, when one performs any action that helps another person with their business of living or their quality of life, that is all that it takes to contribute to society.

Working for a living or raising children are not the only ways to contribute to society. Going to school? Doing anything that improves self also improves society.

Nature was designed, and designed us, to only think of ourselves and to kill and steal to survive; this is otherwise known as the law of the jungle and is engraved into our DNA and there is no way around it. It is the reality that was created and in which we are forced to live. Yet, somehow and someway, we designed a civilization that acknowledged that fundamental design of reality and invented a way to circumvent it.

We designed a society whereas doing things in our own self-interest results in our contributing to society. We work at jobs and careers to survive and prosper. The result of that work provides products and services to others, thus contributing to society.

We found a way to do the opposite of how nature and reality was originally structured. Instead of surviving by hurting/killing and taking from others; we survive by helping and giving to others. The inventing of such a society really does have to qualify as the greatest invention of humankind.

The True Purpose and Simple Meaning of Life

Contribute to society and enjoy yourself while doing it. How to do that? As one is growing up, one almost always finds or discovers an area of knowledge that is of interest to them. Very likely there are jobs, careers, and business opportunities within that area of interest or knowledge. That is pretty much all there is to it. Simply pursue your dreams within that framework. You will be doing something that you enjoy and contributing to society in the process. And do pick a career you love; you will be competing with those who do.

A Side Note. There are plenty of other ways to contribute to society, both obvious and not so obvious. Comments in that regard are appreciated.

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InBoxDollars - A Regretfully Negative to Neutral Review

Latest update: November 24, 2024. Page URL indicates original publication date; meanwhile, times change and the updates continue.

InBoxDollars is a website that will pay you for performing various online activities. It's a great concept, but there is a major flaw for most people.

Long story short, InBoxDollars has no respect for your time. Just my opinion. My average earnings are less than 10 cents a day. It is just not worth it. They do seem to be an honest, legitimate, open and aboveboard site. The only problem is the time spent versus the income earned.

Some Examples:

The average pay to watch a video is one cent per video.
Many times you will spend 10 minutes qualifying for a survey, only to be told you are not qualified and end up earning nothing.
The average winnings for the three levels of InBoxDollars Scratchers are {1 cent, 2 cents, 1 cent (I've quit this level)}, {3 cents, 3 cents, 4 cents, 3 cents (I've quit this level)}, {5 cents, 10 cents, 8 cents, 5 cents, 5 cents, 10 cents, 5 cents, 5 cents, 9 cents, 5 cents, 8 cents, 5 cents, 5 cents, 5 cents, 9 cents, 5 cents, 9 cents, 5 cents, 9 cents, 5 cents, 5 cents, 9 cents, 5 cents, 8 cents, 8 cents, 5 cents, 5 cents, 8 cents, 5 cents, 5 cents, 10 cents, 9 cents, 9 cents, 5 cents, 5 cents, 5 cents, 9 cents, 5 cents}. And it can take a long time to qualify to play the scratchers.

The lowest cash payout threshold I could find was $15.00 to be sent to you via PayPal. InBoxDollars paid me $5.00 to sign up (I don't know if that is still going on); but accumulating the additional $10.00 to reach payout will take you a long, long time. I haven't reached payout yet. It will be interesting to see how that goes; I'll post an update if and when that happens.

In fairness, I should mention that InBoxDollars has a lot more than just surveys, videos, and scratchers. They have 1% (and more) cash back deals all over the place. They have cash back signup deals with third parties all over the place. They have shopping deals all over the place. They have printable coupon deals all over the place. They have various other offers all over the place. They will pay you to do web searches. They will pay you to take pictures of in-store receipts. They will pay you to read emails. They have free games.

My only problem with all of the above is that pesky time versus income issue. If you think you can do better than I'm doing, here's their link: InBoxDollars.

InBoxDollars is also accredited with the Better Business Bureau. The BBB classifies InBoxDollars as belonging to the following categories: Internet Service, Online Shopping, Internet Marketing Services, E-commerce, Market Research, Entertainment, Surveys, Gift Cards, and Coupon Services.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is InboxDollars safe and legit? They have an excellent reputation as to safety and legitimacy.
How much does InboxDollars pay to watch videos? It used to be 1 cent a video. Wasn't worth my time. I've noticed I don't see the video option anymore. Apparently is was not worth anybody else's time either.
How can I earn fast money? Not at InBoxDollars.

I had planned to frequently add to this FAQ list, but I've finally lost interest. I should add that despite some of my criticisms, I was still fond of some parts of the site.

Some Random Notes and Updates

Note. This has happened to me more than once. Some of the survey collectors that InBoxDollars uses are collecting some or all of the survey answers from us that go beyond simple qualifying and then after collecting the answers will say we didn't qualify and don't pay us. I do not know if InBoxDollars is aware of this. This practice is ripping off both the InBoxDollars website and those of us taking the time to do the surveys. This has happened frequently enough that it has become a deal-breaker for me as to doing anymore surveys.

Note. There are other parts of the InBoxDollars website I still like and continue to interact with. But with the survey option being dead to me, I no longer consider InBoxDollars a viable source of any meaningful income. Despite this article's title and that the surveys part is dead to me, I have strangely become somewhat fond of this site.

Update. I received an email from InBoxDollars informing me that one of their members made over $3,000 last month. I'd kinda of like to know how they did that...

Update. I do like their "PaidEm" emails. Doesn't earn much, but some of the ads are interesting.

Update. I tried the surveys again; 3 or 4 of them; truly epic fail due to previously stated reasons; do not waste your time.

Update. I finally got bored with the PaidEm emails. The remuneration for reading the PaidEm emails and for doing searches just isn't worth it to continue. Oh well, at least the whole experience has been somewhat interesting. This is probably my last update.

Well now, we have another update. I suddenly got an email from InBoxDollars informing me that I'd earned $0.96 from a cash back. This was triggered by my recent online grocery shopping. This is the result of the InBoxDollars "Billy Button" extension I added. The email says it's pending. We will see how that works out. Another update. I received a second email saying I have gotten another grocery shopping cash back in the amount of $1.10, also pending. The earnings did finally show up in the InBoxDollars account. The adventure continues...

And another update. The "Billy Button" seems to have stopped working. I've made several more grocery purchases and the "Billy Button" says it's activated, but nary a cash back to be seen. Oh, well.

Another update: I've given up and removed the Billy Button extension.

Update 2024

I've claimed $15 of the $20 I've earned. We shall see.

Update 2024

InBoxDollars does honor their payment obligations.

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Stimulus Checks Historical Archive

Transferred from another page for reference purposes:

[Paraphrased Excerpt]

Comments here (beginning April 2020 and now into 2024) have caused me to realize that this page is getting a lot of visitors due to the various stimulus payment situations. This page remains here to help people with that. Excepting for the child credits, the stimulus payment era has come and gone. But then again, what with delta and now omicron (and now some more new ones), who knows? Am leaving the following stimulus payment data intact for the time being. As for the listed government links and news links, sooner or later the destination sites will consider their respective pages obsolete and will probably remove them.

[Update] The only site I know of at the moment that can help people is: https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/get-my-payment. The site has been a mess in the past, but they seem to have gotten themselves straightened out. An update to the update: the site now has info and a link for claiming missing payments. And they have other info and links.

[Update] There are also stimulus check scams all over the place, including even being sent fake checks. "4 tips for avoiding a Coronavirus stimulus payment scam" can be found at: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2020/04/coronavirus-stimulus-payment-scams-what-you-need-know. They have additional .gov links there worth checking.

[Updates] The mess continues...

[Update]

Well, the "era" of the first stimulus check is drawing to a close. However, I'm leaving the above info intact for the time-being. It's all pretty much applicable to the second stimulus payment as well.

[The Second Stimulus Payment]

Until the IRS and FTC say otherwise, the above federal links are still valid. If/When new problems develop, relevant links will be posted.
Meanwhile: Second stimulus checks are coming, but there are 10 things that could hold yours up (source CNET). The article is a must-read.

Both the IRS site and the CNET article have additional resource links.

What with the January 15th deadline for sending out payments, plus all the other problems I'm seeing in the comments section; this looks like it will indeed be another epic fail. However, all is not lost. The 2020 tax form is being modified to include the ability to file a claim for the stimulus payment; it can be used for both the first and second payments; a real pain in the neck for those who otherwise would not have to file, but a heck of a lot better than no option at all. As a side note, the IRS is pleading for people to not call them; the IRS has stated they are unable to provide over-the-phone information or assistance at this time. It should also be noted that Congress is responsible for imposing the short January 15th deadline, not the IRS; as a result, the mistakes and omissions are only just beginning.

[Update]

Yep, news reports are now confirming.

Error puts millions of U.S. stimulus payments in wrong accounts - Source: Reuters

[The Third Stimulus Payment]

In addition to the usual USPS payments being sent out, retirees who don't file taxes have also been receiving payments via the social security direct deposit route. Folks who have their stimulus payment(s) tangled up with their tax returns should start receiving their payments in May. If the number of recent comments are any indication, problems seem to be decreasing.

[End Excerpt]

How to Do Ternary or Trinary, Base 3 Numbering System Conversions Lesson / Tutorial Examples

Latest update: November 24, 2024

If you understand the everyday decimal (base 10) number system, then you already understand the ternary, base 3 counting and numbering system. You just don’t know you know yet. The complete lesson immediately follows the short semantics note about "ternary" versus "trinary".

Base 3 Conversion - Base 3 to Base 10 and Back - 0 1 2

How to Learn the Ternary Base 3 Numbering System

A complete lesson and examples.

Semantics Note

Ternary is the primary descriptor used to identify base 3 (using the digits 0 1 2) in mathematics as relates to numbering systems. Trinary is the primary descriptor used to identify base three as relates to logic (using the digits -1 0 +1); but the term has also been used in place of ternary. This page does not address the logic definition of trinary. This page is about and explains the base 3 number system; usually called ternary, but sometimes referred to as trinary.

A Quick Review of Base 10 Structure...

Base 10 Decimal Orders of Magnitude

1 · 10 · 100 · 1,000 · 10,000 · 100,000

Positional

100,000 · 10,000 · 1,000 · 100 · 10 · 1

We use the base 10 numbering/counting system in our day-to-day living. Base 10 has ten numbers (0-9) and orders of magnitude that are times ten.

The lowest order number represents itself times one.
The next order number represents itself times 10.
The next order number represents itself times 10 x 10, or itself times 100.
The next order of magnitude would be 10 x 10 x 10, or 1000.

And so on. A base 10 example would be the number 3528. This number means that there are:

Eight 1’s,
two 10’s,
five 100’s,
and three 1000's.

Which represents 8 + 20 + 500 + 3000 for a total of 3528.

The Ternary or Base 3 Numbering System...

...uses the same structure, the only difference being the orders of magnitude. Base 3 or ternary has three numbers: 0, 1, and 2.

The orders of magnitude are times three.

The lowest order number represents itself times one.
The next order number represents itself times 3.
The next order number represents itself times 3 x 3, or itself times 9.
The next order of magnitude would be 3 x 3 x 3, or itself times 27.
The next order of magnitude would be 3 x 3 x 3 x 3, or itself times 81.

And so on.

Orders of Magnitude in Base 3

1 · 3 · 9 · 27 · 81 · 243 · 729 · 2,187 · 6,561

Positional

6,561 · 2,187 · 729 · 243 · 81 · 27 · 9 · 3 · 1

A basic, first example of a ternary number would be the base 3 number 11111. This would mean there are:

one 1,
one 3,
one 9,
one 27,
and one 81.

Which represents 1 + 3 + 9 + 27 + 81 for a total of 121 in Base 10 decimal.

Another base 3 example would be the number 1120. This number means that there are:

No 1’s,
two 3’s,
one 9,
and one 27.

Which represents 0 + 6 + 9 + 27 for a total of 42 in base 10 decimal.

Another base 3 example would be the number 2101. This number means there are:

One 1,
No 3's,
One 9,
And two 27’s.

Which represents 1 + 0 + 9 + 54 for a total of 64 in base 10 decimal.

More Ternary (Base 3) to Base 10 Conversion Examples

9 · 3 · 1	9 · 3 · 1	27 · 9 · 3 · 1
0=0	110=12	220=24
1=1	111=13	221=25
2=2	112=14	222=26
10=3	120=15	1000=27
11=4	121=16	1001=28
12=5	122=17	1002=29
20=6	200=18	1010=30
21=7	201=19	1011=31
22=8	202=20	1012=32
100=9	210=21	1020=33
101=10	211=22	1021=34
102=11	212=23	1022=35

(Convenience relist)

Orders of Magnitude in Base 3

1 · 3 · 9 · 27 · 81 · 243 · 729 · 2,187 · 6,561

Positional

6,561 · 2,187 · 729 · 243 · 81 · 27 · 9 · 3 · 1

Other base numbering systems: Try https://mathschool.etsy.com.

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I first published this article at another website on 09/19/10. However, to keep the information current, relocating to websitewithnoname.com was best. This copyrighted article has served people well for years.

Senior Citizen Discounts Best Lists of Retail Stores, Restaurants, Travel, Online, Services, More

Latest update: November 24, 2024

Although businesses don't advertise it, if you're a senior and you ask for a discount, there may very well be one.

Welcome! This article provides a list and directory of deals and discounts for seniors age 50, 55, 60, 65 and over. Usually, no sort of membership nonsense is required. However, none of these national chains or other places are likely to have any prominent signs advertising any senior discounts or deals. The company websites also usually do not tell you what the policy is. You will have to ask.

The best way to obtain the discount is to just say, “Hi, I understand you have a senior discount?” Note the inflection: a question, instead of a statement or demand. An inquisitive inflection is much more likely to elicit cooperation from the young person behind the counter.

My Experience With Discounts

I walked into Taco Bell and asked what the deal-of-the-century was for this week. They said there was none.

I knew that; they grinned; I grinned. I ordered five tacos. I informed them, "I'm a senior, so I'll take the usual 100% discount."

They said, "That would be nice...." More grinning; they were fine; I was fine; just having fun. I wandered out the door with my tacos. Yep, the discount was there. Of course it wasn't the 100%, but the senior discount had indeed been applied.

Ten Percent Is Worth It

Many seniors may think a 10% discount is not worth the bother, but this is usually just a matter of perception. If instead of the deal being stated as a 10% discount, it had been stated as “Pay No Sales Tax for Life!”, everyone of all ages would be all over it. Yet the 10% discount would almost always be the better deal, leastwise in the US. Europe and Canada are whole different stories. They have what's called a value-added-tax (VAT); that tax is usually way over 10%. Are senior discounts applied to VATs in such cases? I have no idea. No matter; again, wherever you are, always remember to ask concerning senior discounts.

Know of a Senior Discount or Deal?

If you know of a senior deal or discount not listed here, we would like to know about it. Post it in the Comments Section below or drop us a note. We will include it in the next page update.

Sales and marketing is a fluid force; deals and discounts come and go. There is also the situation where many businesses are franchises; in many cases, the franchise owner is the decision maker as to whether a senior discount will be available at a particular location. If you discover a senior discount listed here is no more, please let us know. The good news, what with the continuing population shift, even more companies will probably begin initiating discounts for seniors.

A sad update. Rumor has it that many senior discounts have disappeared since Covid and now the rampant inflation. The only way to find out which ones still exist is to ask. Then again, what with the new Value Deals competition heating up, maybe some of the senior discounts will come back. Who knows?

Restaurants: Senior Discounts and Dining Deals

Applebee's gives a 10% discount (reduced from 15%) to seniors age 60 and over who have the Applebee's Golden Apple Card.
Arby's gives 10% off for ages 55+.
Back Yard Burgers has a 10% senior discount for your order at participating locations, reasonably certain the age is 55 and over..
Burger King has a 10% discount for ages 60+, and additional discounts on coffee and soft drinks. As of Oct. 2015, though, Burger King may be like Denny's, i.e., some stores give discounts and some don't.
Chili's is 10% off for ages 55+.
Denny's gives 10% off for age 55+. They will make it 20% off if you are an AARP member. As of 2014, each franchise owner was making his/her own decisions regarding this, so your results may vary. A menu just for seniors is also offered.
Dunkin' Donuts does 10% off for ages 55+. Or a free donut (doughnut) when buying coffee.
Farmer Boys has a 10% discount, age demarcation unknown and franchisee optional.
Golden Corral senior discounts are reported as random and varied.
IHOP is 10% off for ages 55+. There maybe even be a second, optional menu for seniors.
Jack in the Box has a 20% beverage discount for seniors age 55 and over. Though again, as of August 2013, the Jack-in-the-box discount may not be a sure thing.
KFC will give you a free small drink with a meal if you are 55+, although again, it’s reported some KFC's will and some won’t.
Long John Silver's has various discounts for 55+. Depends on location, so your results may vary.
McDonald's has discounts on coffee and soft drinks for the 55+ crowd.
Old Country Buffet is said to have discounts for seniors, 55+.
Outback Steakhouse has a 15% senior discount, age demarcation unknown.
Panda Express is reported to have a senior discount. Unfortunately, there is conflicting information. This is probably a franchisee optional situation.
Perkins Restaurants may have a special menu for deals for seniors, 55+.
Roy Rogers Restaurants gives a 10% discount for seniors, age demarcation unknown.
Sonic gives a choice of free beverage or 10% off for folks 60 and older.
Subway is 10% off for ages 60+; though at least occasionally, a store owner will deny the discount, either because they are uninformed or because of individual franchise policy.
Taco Bell is 10% off, apparently up from the former 5%; plus free beverages. Age requirement is 65 and over. Discount may be franchisee specific.
Wendy's is 10% off for ages 55+, though at least one Wendy’s in Topeka, Kansas gave a free drink in place of the 10% discount. Not known if this is the new policy or a franchisee-specific incident.

Senior Discount Transportation and Motel Deals

Alamo Car Rental has discounts and deals ranging up to 25% for AARP members.
Alaska Airlines has 10% off for seniors, ages 65+. It is now reported to be 50% off. Other fees, however, are unknown. Airlines like to wiggle out of things; call first to ask about the discount and fees before making plans or booking.
American Airlines has discounts and deals for seniors 62 and up. Various discounts can reach up to 50% for non-peak periods (Tuesdays through Thursdays). Other fees, however, are unknown. Airlines like to wiggle out of things; call before booking.
Amtrak have a 10% to 15% discount for seniors. But they have a whole bunch of restrictions to go along with it.
Avis car rental company has discounts and deals ranging up to 25% for AARP members.
Best Western motels have a 10% discount for seniors age 55 and over. Unfortunately, it is not a discount one can count on. The Best Western website says, "Not available at all Best Western® Hotels and Resorts and is subject to availability at the time of the request."
Choice Hotels owns Sleep Inn, Comfort Inn, and a bunch of others. The Choice Hotels website claims an "up to" 10% discount for seniors. However, one must make a reservation in advance through their Choice Hotels website or via their Choice Hotels phone number and specifically mention the senior discount for folks who are 60 or older. Also, beware of their use of the phrase: "up to.".
Southwest Airlines is reported to have various discounts for ages 65 and up. But the usual warnings apply: call first, find out about other fees, etc.
United Airlines does provide discounts for seniors 65 and over. The amounts, locations, and other restrictions are all over the map (pun intended). A reminder to meticulously read their online menus and/or ask their customer representatives pointed questions.
U-Haul doesn't appear to have senior discounts. However, their website has a bunch of hoops you can jump through to get dozens of other discounts.

Note: Look for special senior menu options on their websites. Unlike other industries, travel and hospitality companies are actually prone to advertise their senior discounts.

Retail Store Discounts and Deals

Glasses

Glasses are expensive and serious business. When selecting a store, it wouldn't hurt to do a "StoreNameHere review scam" search to see what complaints there are about them. And it could be unwise to have the exam done at one place and the glasses made at another; if there is a problem, each will point to the other as being the cause.

LensCrafters is reported to have a 30% discount for AARP members. Frankly, I'd find out the prices for everything first before mentioning the discount. Then spring the AARP card on them before taking the exam and see what happens. It wouldn't hurt to check frames and lenses prices at Walmart and Sears first for comparison.

I had an unprofessional experience at Pearle Vision a couple decades ago; I was verbally assaulted the second I walked in the door and asked about their prices. I immediately realized the franchisee or store manager was extremely defensive about something. I cleared out after about 30 seconds and never did find out what his problem was (in retrospect, maybe it was because they had the highest prices in town, not sure).

Interestingly, both Pearle Vision and LensCrafters Franchises are owned by an Italian eyewear conglomerate called Luxottica Group S.p.A.

Clothes

Goodwill gives 10% off one day a week (your day may vary). A 2015 report states for at least one store the age is 55 and the day is Wednesday.
Kohl's does 15% off on Wednesdays for folks 60 and over.
Ross Dress For Less, also known as Ross Stores, has an Every Tuesday Club for customers age 55 and older. Just sign up at the customer service desk to receive a discount card. Folks with the discount card receive a 10% discount for in-person purchases made on Tuesdays.
The Salvation Army thrift stores give up to 50% off for folks 55 and over.

Grocery Stores

Grocery stores appear somewhat resistant, but it is worthwhile to ask. Your results will definitely vary.

Albertsons is said to be 10% off, but you will have to work for it. If the first employee you ask doesn't know the answer, ask the store manager as to days and dates, and whether the discount applies when 55, 60, etc.
Farm Fresh has a 5% discount on Tuesdays and Thursdays. These are probably their slowest shopping days, thus the discounts. Ages 55 and over.
Fry's Food is reported as requiring a VIP card to qualify for any discounts, card valid only the first Wednesday of the month.
Grocery Outlet (western states plus Pennsylvania) gives a 10% discount to people 55+ on Tuesdays and/or Thursday mornings, at least some stores.
Hy-Vee (Midwestern states) offers a 5% discount on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Definitely varies by location and the age demarcation may be 65.
New Seasons Market, located in parts Washington, Oregon, California. Wednesdays have a 10% discount, no doubt the slow shopping days thing.
Piggly Wiggly. Each store is independent. It is rumored some locations may have senior discounts. Availability, types, age requirements, percentages, other parameters are unknown and probably constantly vary.

Haircuts

Great Clips has $3 off for haircuts. Ages 60 and up.
Super Cuts has $2 off for haircuts. Ages 60 and over.

Pharmacies

CVS doesn't have any senior discounts per se. But you do want to get their Extracare Card. If you run the card through the red machine at the front of the store, a great deal sometimes shows up now and then. And do give them your email address; they will rain all sorts of worthwhile discounts on you; sometimes the emails become excessive, but you can always unsubscribe.
Costco pharmacies are exempt from store membership requirements in most states.
Rite-Aid has 10% off on Tuesdays. And there is 10% off on prescriptions. Age requirements unknown.
Walgreens generally charges the highest prices in town for everything, especially in the pharmacy department.
Walmart pharmacies are always worth checking out.
Most all pharmacies will deliver.

Phones

If you don't happen to know what Lifeline is, you definitely want to check that out no matter who your phone company is. If you qualify, you will save between $200 to $300 a year on your phone bill. You qualify based on income, not age.

AT&T has a $30/month cell phone plan for seniors ages 65+, currently called the Senior Nation Plan.
Jitterbug has a $15-a-month cell phone plan for users 50+. However, I'm not sure about these guys. Their phones seem expensive and there are complaints as to their quality.
T-Mobile has recently added senior discounts, details vary as to types and amount of service.
Verizon Wireless has a $30/month plan for seniors ages 65 and over. However, if you have a Lifeline landline (Verizon or Frontier), and want to use it to get on the Internet, it could be well worth your while to drop by the Verizon or Frontier website and see what DSL deals they are offering; no age restrictions, and DSL is plenty good enough for most situations, including streaming videos (depending how close the substation is to your residence).
Burner Phones. Inexpensive and free cell phones and cell phone plans are one complicated mess to research; especially when federal and state subsidies are mixed in. If your situation doesn't qualify or is not feasible for the federal/state free cell phone and plan program(s) and you only want the cell phone for occasional use; perhaps simply going to Walmart or wherever and getting a prepaid, pay-as-you-go burner phone is the answer. Needless to say, read and understand everything on the packaging first. Actually, why not just shop for the critter online? First find what looks like the best deal on whatever retail store website, then go to that brand's website and see what they have to say. Once you've found what you want, buy from whichever site is best.

Movie Theaters

AMC Theaters gives up to 30% off for ages 60 or older. AMC specifically says, "If you're at least 60 years old, you've probably seen a lot of great movies in your lifetime. And if you haven't, get started now with discounted tickets on Senior Day." I underlined that phrase because it makes me wonder if they only show old movies on that day.
Landmark Theaters have discounts for folks 62 and older. I do believe this is the first senior discount I've seen anywhere that wasn't rounded to a 5 or 10 age increment . The amount of the discount is unknown.
Marcus Theaters have $5 admissions for Friday matinees, seniors age 60 and older.
Regal Theaters/Cinemas 30% discount for seniors ages 60 and over may be a thing of the past and was only available for some performances; ask. There may be some senior discounts when buying certain snacks and drinks.
Showcase Cinemas. Turns out that Showcase Cinemas (also known as UCI Cinemas) is an international company theater chain. $7 Admissions to seniors beginning at age 60.

Local Area Discounts

Many local area senior discounts are mentioned in the Comments Section. Try a browser search (Ctrl-F) for your state, town, or establishment; you might get lucky. And if you happen to know of a local area senior citizen discount, by all means comment about it. You never know who you might be giving a helping hand.

More Financial Tips for Seniors

Some of the savings here could actually run into the hundreds of dollars. And not just for seniors.

Utility Company Discounts

It is imperative to drop by your utility companies' websites, particularly your gas, electric, and phone companies. They almost certainly have various discounts available, some examples:

low income assistance discounts
energy savings discounts
energy efficiency discounts
seasonal discounts
time-of-day discounts
medical discounts

There could be other discounts. Once you are signed up, you get significant savings month after month without any additional work on your part.

If the discount info is not readily available via the website menus, use their search box and enter the bulleted phrases above. If that doesn't work, then do the searches directly from your favorite search engine, for example type in: "low income assistance" YourUtilityCompanyName.

About Cable TV Companies and Their So-Called Senior Discounts

Most cable companies claim to have senior discounts, but won't specify the details. You have to call and ask; probably not much or an outright scam. Frankly, I ditched cable years ago and get everything for free or next to free on the internet. There's even the technology to have it display on your TV screen.

And a Browser Tip

Desktop typing "Ctrl" and "+" together will increase the text size in your browser's window on your screen. You can do Ctrl+ more than once to keep making the text larger. Doing Ctrl- will shrink it back down. Doing Ctrl0 (zero) will reset everything back to "normal." For mobile, there is scaling.

A Karma Note

Please share this page so as to help others. The more people who are knowledgeable, the better off we all are.

And a sincere thank you to all who have previously contributed to this article in the past.

Suggestions from Comments Section

[An Update. Due to a website hosting platform change, the 84 comments that previously accompanied this article on the other site were lost. However, I am retrieving them from archive and incorporating most of them directly into the new version. Many are quite useful. Edited for punctuation and grammar. Do be advised that the comments are not vetted. As always, the secret is to ask.]

The Newer Comments

We have indeed received one.

The Older Comments

Multiple commenters state that Big Lots does not give discounts.
Commenter, Andrea, said Back Yard Burgers' senior discount is 10% your purchase at participating locations.
Commenter, Susan, said Outback gives 15% and Roy Rogers 10%, but you have to ask.
Commenter, Cheryl, said: Bealls of Florida offers a 55+ senior discount on Monday of every week both in store and online.
Commenter. Carolyn said: Kroger does not give 10% any longer.
Commenter, Mary, said: I Had No Idea There Were So Many Places That Gave Seniors Discounts!?? Thank You So Much For Giving Me The Tools To Make My Life and The Lives Of Others So Much Better. Thank You - Mary Sutton
Commenter, Cathy Decker, said: Love the companies whom realize our retirement income needs to be respected, AWESOME.
Commenter, rickwhaley, said: Good info, thanks! Village Inn does senior discounts, but you have to ask now. At least in Nebraska.
Commenter, Glenn Stok, said: This is awesome! I'm eligible for many of these discounts already and I didn't even know it! Thanks for writing about it.
Commenter, Christina said: Walgreens does offer 20% off on first Tuesday of each month unless it’s a holiday, then it’s the second Tuesday.
Commenter, Sarah, said: You know, I finally got used to the idea that I'll be 50 in a couple of weeks and WOW would be eligible for senior discounts. Then, just to find out, the age has raised for most of the discounts that my Mom was eligible for at 50! grrrrrrrrrr.
Commenter, Theresa Ast, said: Great Hub with great information for people. Thanks! I have found that Good Will Stores (used books, clothing, housewares, furniture, toys) gives a good senior discount (over 55). Check with your local store, because each store chooses a particular day of the week - Mon, Tues, Wed., etc.
Commenter, HolyTerror57, said: Awesome, awesome, awesome. I just found the Jitterbug cell phone plan! And I just signed up for their e-mail subscription. Thank You So Much!
Commenter, Julie Baldwin, said: It's amazing being 55+ and the discounts that comes your way.
Commenter, Debbie McCoy, said: If a chain offers a senior discount, but the franchise is not; call or write the chain to see if the franchises must offer the senior discount as part of their franchise contract. Many have to follow franchise guidelines set by the chain and could lose their franchise if not. It's worth it.
Commenter, Brenda Areledge, said: Your article is very informative, I use discounts daily. I have a Golden Buckeye Card which is for Ohio residents; this card gives many discounts. I get 5% off at Ace Hardware. Then the usual 10% at restaurants. DQ dairy queen, Pizza Hut, Ranchers Roast Beef, plus most of the ones you already listed. I always ask, sometimes embarrassing the people I am with. I can afford to skip the discount, but to me, if the discount is there, then one should take it. Nice write.
Commenter, Natalie Frank, said: Great article! I'm not there quite yet but will be soon enough and have bookmarked this page for future reference.
Commenter, Angie, said: Lakes Entrance Airbnb, Australia. Gives Seniors Discounts and free dog stay for 3-day stay or longer.. Price on booking, but don't forget to ask. Water views, private gardens, wheelchair accessible, parking outside your accommodation. Sleeps up to 7 adults. Onsite massage. Call 0413669071; Victoria, Australia. Place to stay.
Commenter, Christine, said: I was asked at Taco Bell yesterday if I am over 55 because that is when their senior discount kicks in (I am 60).
Commenter, Cindy, said: TJ Maxx in Florida only, 10% off on Mondays for 55+.
Commenter, Liz Pacheco, said: Coppi's Organic Restaurant offers 25% off all night every Monday for seniors 60 and up. They're located at 3321 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008.
Commenter, Stacie L, said: Good info. Kroger used to give senior discounts on Thursday every week, but cut down to the first week in the month where I lived in Kentucky. My local grocer gives senior discounts on Wednesdays. As you stated, a customer must ask. I found out my AAA membership gives many discounts as well. The companies never ask if you are a member.
More comments from the previous site are still being retrieved.

*** Money saved is worth more than money earned. Money saved is tax free. ***

- End of Article -

I first published this article at another website on 10/07/2011. However to keep the information current, relocating to websitewithnoname.com was best. This copyrighted article has served people well for years. The updates continue.

How to Get Rid of Pocket Gophers in Garden, Yard, Pastures, etc...

Latest update: November 24, 2024

Gophers. The Untold Story...

Here is a compilation of all known methods to kill or get rid of pocket gophers. You are on your own as to legal ramifications, local government bureaucracy, animal-rights groups, and whatever else may obstruct or sabotage your efforts. Also, be advised this is a compilation list, not a recommendation list. Have fun with it. Many of the items listed here will actually work. It won’t be difficult to ascertain which is which. Your results may vary. Warning, some humor may be present.

Pocket Gopher Facts - Know Your Enemy

Pocket gophers here. Pocket gophers there. Pocket gophers everywhere.

The pocket gopher is a burrowing rodent found here, there, and everywhere. Their purpose in life seems to be the destruction of plants and land.
They can measure up to a foot in length, depending on the species. They have sharp teeth and claws. Gophers, moles, and ground squirrels are often mistaken for each other. Extermination techniques are different for each.
Gophers often plug their gopher holes, while other rodents do not.
The gopher home is a complex system of tunnels running up to several hundred feet. The main gopher tunnels run about half a foot below the surface and are three inches or more in diameter. Chambers are created off the main tunnels for food storage and breeding nests. Excess soil is piled on the surface. Though most of the burrow system is relatively close to the surface, many parts of the complex can penetrate to as much as six feet deep.
Pocket gopher families are loners and territorial. Their average territory is approximately 40x40 to 50x50 square feet, i.e., a 20 to 25 foot radius.
Pocket gophers are active 365 days a year. Surface foraging is not their main forte and is only done near the gopher hole entrances. Most of their feeding consists of the plant parts and roots below ground.
The breeding season for these vociferous and destructive critters is spring. The gestation period is estimated at three weeks. Litters average around five. Sometimes there are two litters per season. In late summer of the same year, the young disperse to create their own homes.

How to Get Rid of Them

Run a hose from your vehicle’s exhaust pipe to the nearest gopher hole. With engine running, start covering up any other open gopher holes. If you live in a rural area and a pro-gun state, have your shotgun handy (check local gun ordinances first).
Running a garden hose to the gopher complex seldom works, but it is worth a try, especially if the shotgun option is available. More about the water method further down the page.
Go to your hardware store and ask for advice. Keep in mind the store clerk’s objective is to sell you something.
Drop gum down the gopher holes. It is rumored it will mess up their internal organs.
Traps work when directions are followed. Gophinator seems to be popular.
Gopher bombs sometimes work when directions are followed. The problem is the several hundred feet of tunnels; the poisonous fumes just aren't able to make it throughout the entire complex.
Macabee traps are recommended by “everybody”. They work but require work.
Dynamite. However, you may run into local ordinance permit problems with this one.
Poison. Follow the directions. Apparently, one needs to use a lot of it.
Last, but not least, as to this primary list; cats kill gophers. Drop by your local animal shelter and tell them you need an outdoor cat. And tell them why. They will very probably know exactly which cat to give you. As to what the animal shelter will charge you for the cat, there can be a wide variance. It all depends on which county you happen to live in. There is also the very real possibility the cat may just up and disappear before they figure out you intended to feed and take care of them.

More methods are included further down the page.

Sure wouldn't want anything to do with this one if it came running out after me.

Running a Garden Hose Into the Gopher Complex

Yep, it does not work. In fact, it can turn into the opposite. A personal story:

Gopher mounds here; gopher mounds there; gopher mounds everywhere. I was nonplussed. And then one day I walked out to the apricot tree. There it was, an open gopher hole. He had not covered it up as usual. I immediately got the garden hose and pushed it into the gopher hole. I turned the water on half-force; no backup. So I turned the water on full-force, still no backup. I went away.

I came back an hour later. There was dampness around the hole, but still no backup. I came back a half-hour after that; the area was flooded. "My work is done here," thought I. Decided to call it a day and shut off the hose. All was well in the neighborhood.

Yeah, right.

Not only did it not work, but they also apparently took it personally. I mean seriously, we seem to attribute emotions and attitudes only to humans, but animals have them as well.

First one new dirt pile showed up. "Ok," I thought.

But then another and another and another. The placed had turned from a beachhead into central command. Was it personal? Or did they just like the water supply? You decide. At least the experiment was not a total loss; my house ant invasion problem suddenly ceased.

Update. Two commenters had better success than I did. See next section.

Suggestions from Comments Section

[An Update. Due to a website hosting platform change, the 49 comments that previously accompanied this article on the other site were lost. However, I was able to retrieve them from archive and incorporate most of them directly into the new version. Many are quite useful. Many are absolutely hilarious. Edited for punctuation and spelling.]

The Older Comments

Comment by Marsha: I stand over a freshly dug hole with a .22. When he/she pushes more dirt up I shoot the little b#stard in the head. Note: sometimes you have to stand for quite awhile and be very still. Really works!
Comment by Megan M: FYI, Gophers (at least the ones here) can easily chew through chicken wire and push through.
Comment by Dee aka Nonna: They are the most annoying little animals. I had a least one that would live, at least part-time, under my deck and my neighbors deck. He burrowed a hole under the fence and under each deck. I don't know what he was doing but the noise he made bounced off and came through the fireplace. I called everyone I could think of, looked things up on the internet, tried everything I read. So did my neighbor. Another neighbor who lived across the street, wasn't having the problem, but was afraid he might offered to bring over his gun.. no, I thought. While talking with my son I mentioned it he said he'd heard that mothballs will get rid of pests and little animals from the yard and flower bed. I thought, why not. So I went out and bought several boxes enough for my neighbor.. and we put out so much that the smell of mothballs was almost overwhelming.. LOL. But it worked...maybe they too were overwhelmed with the smell. Whatever we were very happy to be rid of our little critters. Thanks for the reminder paradigmsearch, it is funny now... We all had a good laugh, but it wasn't funny then.
Comment by Mel D.: Too funny, close to watching Caddy shack. lol
Comment by MyBizz: I don’t want to drive them away, I don’t want to hurt them, I just want to kill the bloody things! (Language censored here)
Commenter Leslie said: Buy a bag of Double Bubble gum balls, a 3.3 lb. bag about $5.00. place 5-6 in several mason jars. barley cover with water. after about 20 min. pour into each hole. (both entrance and exit. wait. they eat and then DIE!!! Has been very effective, I'm gonna win this war!!!
Moth balls. Apparently gophers don't like them. Two commenters said they do work; one commenter said they don't work. See comment article additions further down the page.
Commenters said: Catch-them-alive traps. Then take them far, far away.
Commenter, Rageagainstthegop, said: I was moved as I read the personal story. It was as if I wrote it myself! In fact, everything on this particular website is interpreted in the same manner I would use. I am out of all available options, but one and that involves my pecan tree and my Banshee compound bow and arrows.
Auto flares. I really liked the sound of this one. Commenter, Tina, said: Use auto flares in the holes. Dig out the gopher hole, light the flare, throw it in, cover it up. Go to the next tunnel system and do the same. Gophers hate the smell of sulfur.
Take no prisoners. Commenter, Frank, said: I go in after them! With a pick and shovel I start digging until I reach either the property line or the gopher... This may sound destructive, but the tunnel will either collapse and leave a rut in your yard, or another gopher will move in after the first is gone. So by digging up the tunnel and refilling after your gopher is gone, the possibility for another to move into the tunnel is eliminated. It is hard work, but with a water hose and a pick ax I've killed over a hundred gophers which became established in my neighborhood when some houses were vacant and being sold. The biggest thing is to get right after them as soon as you see a mound, and before they dig for miles.... That always gets the best result, as I've spent a month or more trying to get just one gopher.
Caster oil. Use after the bottle rockets and Roman candles. Commenter, Larry, said: They seem to hate bottle rockets, especially the ones that whistle and then blow up. I've also tried roman candles, the blow up report ones are the best. Make a lot of noise and it seems to calm them down but then hold on! They'll be back at it in 24 to 48 hours! The best is to use castor oil products to deter them from your area.
Gopher bomb recipe. I should mention that saltpeter is the primary ingredient used in gunpowder, so be sure your health and life insurance policies are up to date and the premiums are paid in full. Commenter, Chris, said: Saltpeter, sugar, and sulfur make an excellent gopher bomb. Mix the saltpeter and sugar at 2:1. Add as much sulfur as you can stand. Wrap tightly in newspaper, shove down a gopher run, light and run quick. All ingredients can be bought through your local pharmacy. Also makes for a cheap 4th of July!
Water hose in gopher hole (method #1). Tea Ga in the former comments section had better luck than I did. Looks like perseverance is the key and I was a slacker in that regard. Commenter, Tea Ga, said: Got rid of my problem with a hose. You have to fill up every hole and go back a couple of times and then eventually by the second day there will be different mounds and you just hit every hole again with the water. You don't have to force it. You want to flood it and that little critter will come right on out. So, yes, the hose works.
Water hose in gopher hole (method #2). Gopher golf! I love it! Commenter, Charlies, said: I've had success with gopher golf; put a hose down the hole, wait for the little critter to come up for air, and then tee off. Got 4 in two days with this method.
Instead of using your car's exhaust, use your gas-powered lawnmower. Much more convenient, but with caveats. Commenter, Buck, said: When we were younger we used the lawn mower, no, not to shave their little butts, but with a hose adapted to the exhaust, removed air cleaner, started engine and squirted oil into carburetor. My son swears by the flare method in Washington, but both of these methods are highly criticized from tree huggers and grandchildren. Best to stick to traps and tend to then before others get up in the morning. One of my tenants uses poison that goes in a dispenser attached to a pipe. You have to probe around the mound to find the tunnel(s). It has been effective. I'm sticking to the traps, as I want to see my enemy's eye rolled back.
A question was asked: Will bleach and ammonia get rid of gophers in the gardens? An answer was: Sounds plausible, but the plants might not be too thrilled with that. I'm currently gopher-free, so someone else will have to try it and let us know how it goes.
Commenter, Cindy, says to use rat traps with peanut butter and bird seed as the bait. Sounds like a good idea, both inexpensive and effective.
Commenter, Angel, also recommends rat traps and said: Rat traps work. Look for fresh dirt or watch 'em in action. Clear area for the trap, then set and place trap in the hole. Check often. Works. If it doesn't work by next day, find new spot.
Chemical warfare. Described in detail by the commenter, AARRAA. Commenter, AARRAA, said: The maintenance man at the jail uses gasoline, but not because it's flammable, but because of its heavy vapor and high vapor pressure. He says he just pours a cup of gas down each hole and covers it up. The gasoline vapor either suffocates them or drives them out. That got me thinking. Ammonia also has a heavy vapor and a high vapor pressure, is safer to use, doesn't poison the soil, and is less expensive than gasoline. I've tried it and enjoyed some success. Tomorrow I'm going to pour ammonia and bleach down the gopher holes, and quickly cover up the hole. Why? Mixing ammonia and bleach creates toxic chloramine gas, which ought to be more effective than ammonia which only suffocates. If you do this, do not mix those two chemicals in a container and then pour into the gopher hole, because you'll gas yourself. This is a bad thing. Pour one chemical into the hole, then the other, and have a shovel full of dirt ready to cover the hole as quickly as possible at shovel-handle-length safety. I think it might be even more effective to first pour water into the hole, thereby saturating the dirt at the opening of the hole and making it more likely that your chemicals flow further into the tunnel system.
The commenter, Lo, is partial to the 40mm Glock. Needless to say, not a good idea in urban and residential areas. But for farmers and ranchers on their own land, why not? Patience is required. Commenter, Lo, said: I have killed 5 in the last week with a 40mm Glock. It takes patience, but works. I find a new mound (older ones may be ok but with a fresh one you know it is active) Get a little garden shovel and poke it around in the mound until it hits a soft spot. Then dig until you find the tunnel. Clean the entrance to the tunnel and try to make it big enough so you will be able to see when he starts trying to cover the entrance. Make it so you can get a good shot. He's fast, so you have to really pay attention. If he realizes you are there he will stop, but will come back. I've found that there may be 3 and even 4 tunnels leading in and out of a mound. And some of these split off into a "Y". You have to put your hand in the tunnel to find these. Of the five I've killed this week, all were female. Also after killing them I dig into some of the other holes and see if one will come back and cover it, but so far that hasn't been the case. I've drowned out only one and wasted gallons and gallons of water. I've use all of the available poisons and juicy fruit gum with no luck. My method works if you have the patience and time to wait until he comes to cover the tunnel entrance. Sometimes you'll think he headed out to make a new home somewhere else. Then you check the next morning and the hole is filled. I found one mound that had a nest in a compartment. It was full of little dead pieces of grass and the papery cover from bulbs. In the same mound I found a storage area with the little bulbs. If you shoot into a tunnel while he's trying to cover it you may think you have missed and if you did, he'll eventually come back and fill the entrance. I shot at one Sunday and I thought maybe I missed him since I couldn't find him. I dug up a lot of tunnel and never did find him, but later I found him outside another one of his mounds.... dead. He had been wounded and crawled out. All the mounds around the area are not active any longer, so I figure it was him.
The comment by Dennis Manns is a must-read. He mentions a few methods, but the last one is my favorite. This guy is in to it big time, 250 acres and explosions all over the place. Yep, do have your medical and life insurance policies up to date. Frankly, this proactive method sounds like a blast (pun intended). Commenter, Dennis Manns, said: Trap 250 acres of hay ground, have caught thousands over the past 30 years. Bought Gophinator didn't work went back to box traps, was catching 30 plus a day. Took 5 years to get to the point where I have only 3 or 4 traps set, sure makes haying a lot more enjoyable. The Rodenator is the most effective it uses propane and oxygen when it ignites it collapses their lungs. Only problem with it is the ground heaves up where their tunnels are.
Sticky rat traps are being recommended.
Gassing with a BBQ propane tank has been suggested. Not too sure about that idea in an urban area. If a second, unknown, open gopher hole happens to be near anything that has a pilot light or could create a spark...
Commenter, Sarah Beth, said: I live in the mountains and have had pocket gophers in my yard for a few years - annoying but I don't do anything special so I haven't done anything, until now. I needed mouse traps for the house and opted to get a gopher trap too. Box style, spring loaded. An existing mound was torn up by a bear one night (thanks!) so I took the opportunity to hit an exposed hole. Woke up to the hole re-exposed and the trap missing. Found it several feet away, I can only guess a critter moved it. So I came here looking for ideas, I'm guessing at this point I have several families living in my yard, I'll get more traps. But the broken glass method, I doubt that works. One of the original property owners must have used the yard as a trash dump before trash service was a thing and while building the house. I tell people they cannot walk barefoot in my yard. The gophers dig up all the debris, to include lots of broken glass. I'm constantly picking it up.
Commenter, Heather, said: I've tried a number of items to deter gophers from my yard. I have found anything with a strong odor sends them in the opposite direction. I've placed everything from dryer sheets, liquid ammonia, and gasoline inside the tunnels and then covered up the entrance for max affect. Probably the best success has been inserting moth balls or a generous amount of Palmolive dish soap poured into the entrance followed by water to disperse into tunnels. The gophers hate the smell and when they emerge they are a little disoriented, cuz the gophers vision is affected.
Commenter, PhuriousPills, said: Electrocute them in conjunction with water. Car battery keeps them away. I use power supplies.. But the disposable camera flash, LOL, I made into trap. I'm bad.
Commenter, HeatherZ said: Easy and works every time... Put a rock on the hole... Safe and effective... Gophers cannot dig thru the rock... They relocate to where they can dig...
Commenter, Brett, said: If you have a dog and/or cat, save the poop and flush it down the hole. In fact, any dead animal, such as birds, mice or rats will do.
Commenter, Jeremy, said: This says ultrasonic devices do not appear to work, but I've actually had good luck with them. I'm a handyman and have recommended them to at least 4 clients after having them work in my yard first, and they've all had similar results. You might see mounds appear right after you install them, but after a couple weeks, they go away. I tried smoke bombs and castor oil pellets first, and that just made mounds pop up in other places. The solar powered ultrasonic gopher repellent spikes I got off Amazon have been the only thing to keep them away. They make noise every 60 seconds or so, but it's not that bad. There's a brand called Zebedee that has an on/off switch if you want to stop the sound while you're in your yard or need to install them outside a bedroom window. Theirs also varies the sound of the beep which they say makes sure the animal doesn't get used to the sound. By the way, my parents tried the car exhaust method years ago only to find that the gophers had dug through the crawlspace under the house and fumes started coming into the house, so watch out for that. They had to leave all the doors and windows open with fans blowing out the smell for a few hours. If you have a solid foundation, it's probably not a problem but their house had wood floors and was suspended on a brick foundation with a crawlspace underneath.
Commenter, Rene, said: For a residential yard or smaller garden area I found gopher/mole bait (pellet form) to be very effective . Method: walk around yard daily looking for fresh gopher holes-0 stick a stick down 10 inches pour one tablespoon of bait into hole, cover up hole. must do it daily -works like a charm.
Commenter, Eric, said: Last year I found one baby pocket gopher in my backyard. Chased that little guy around for weeks. Tried gopher traps, poison, flushing him out with way and shooting it, gum, everything. I pissed it off by flooding the tunnel and he switched to my front yard. I bought 10 rat sticky traps and place them around every new hole, went and ate dinner and came back to a gopher glued to the trap. Shot him in the head to put him out of his misery. This year the back yard got away from me so the grass was long for a month. Finally got around to mowing it and found gopher holes on opposite ends of the yard. Same thing with the sticky rat traps, caught two gophers within the day, filled the holes and figured my work was done. Came back a week later and found 3 more holes right where I caught one of the two. Placed a bunch more traps and caught three more that day. Next day, holes popped up, caught one more to make 5 within the month. I was hoping I was done because they say a litter is 5-6 and these were all babies. Nope have one more and I have located mama's tunnels finally. The sticky rat traps haven’t failed me yet so I’m hoping they work for the mother, just got a bigger size. She is much better about closing up her holes and they’ve been hard to locate but it seems the babies rarely close their holes. If they do, just be diligent to locate loose dirt when they dig.
Commenter, Gina Tse-Louie, said: After the gopher ate everything (parsley, basil, cilantro, chamomile, artichoke, asparagus, mustard greens, kale of all types, flowers galore, etc.) including things they aren't supposed to like (garlic, onions, chives, and mint). I attempted the warning method of throwing dog poop down a hole to warn it of a predator. It retaliated by separating the chicken wire from the bottom of my raised bed! I watched as is kept popping its head up in 4 different parts of my raised bed. Frustrated I tried to set the 2 different types of traps I bought. Macabee is not easy to set... the Amdro tunnel easier but required positioning... I gave up on the Macabee. Having watched the Caddy Shack video, I was tempted... watching more and more videos after trying sonar, sound, and everything it burrowed next to... I saw a video showing that once above ground, gophers were slower moving. Epiphany! Once it popped it's head up I was determined to toss it out of the ground. I collapsed every tunnel in the raised box I could and waited... it popped its head up... I scooped behind it with a shovel... it landed and I speared it! I was happy this gopher would no longer eat my personal farm to table... but I am still sad I had to kill a living thing. If only we could live harmoniously... I buried it so it can give back what it has taken from the soil.
Commenter, Chris, said: A method that I have found to be fairly effective is to gas them. This requires your propane BBQ tank, a POL X 3/8 male flared fitting, a length of old used propane hose with the appropriate female 3/8 flare fitting on one end. As described previously in these posts you must first locate an opening, usually 8 to 12 in away from the main Mound is the escape hole with a small dirt plug in it. Remove just enough dirt from the plug so that you can insert the hose into the tunnel then carefully pack the dirt back around the hose and slightly open up the valve on the tank, full tank pressure is not required and is wasteful if you have a large amount of these Mounds to visit. I have found that 10 minutes is usually sufficient per location! You can even wander off and take care of other projects while the propane does it's job. Propane is not poisonous, however it does replace the oxygen in the tunnel and causes Little Darlings to suffocate! This also means you don't have to worry about carcass disposal! Instant fertilizer!
Commenter, Lesley, said: I have an indoor Siamese mixed cat that we found when he was 4 weeks old, we recently bought a home and have beautiful small front yard and just last week my cat Milo has brought home two live gophers??? WTH??? He beats them up and leaves them panting in my kitchen??? He will not eat them but I guess he is earning his keep, lol, I think I might adopt a few more cats to help out, those will be working cats and Milo can show them the ropes.
Commenter, Steve, said: I put up a small sign (on the mound side of every active gopher hole) that says "FREE wine and body massage for everyone attending the Geomyidae family reunion. Directions to the party are as follows...
Commenter, Levi, said: I like to give them bubble baths by pouring dish soap down into the opened holes, and filling them up with high pressure water from the hose. It seems to work more often than not by filling up their vast network with the suds, and a soapy gopher will pop up gasping for breathe and the real life whack a mole game is underway.
Commenter, Cheryl in Florida said: 5 acres and neighboring lots have exploded with mounds. Have horses so need grass to survive. Poison pellets were a huge waste of money. Tried flooding but it never filled up and nothing came up. Didn’t want to drain the well. Victor black boxes from amazon have been the only thing that works. 3 dead this weekend. It wears you out digging holes trying to locate an open tunnel. Buy those and watch YouTube videos people publish. They helped me. I feel bad killing a mammal but really need to stop them from ruining my pastures.
Commenter, Kim C., said: After months of trying traps, gas bombs, water etc. I sprayed Tomcat repellent(castor oil based) over the entire lawn. This ruins the taste of their food. A few days later I seen that it moved to a dirt area with little plants, just a few weeds. I assumed it was getting hungry. I bought a poisonous bait, and after the second application.... No more holes. So I took the starve then poison approach. No satisfying explosions, but it did the job.
Commenter, Jim, said: I just bought a Rodenator system, haven't tried it yet (this weekend). However I have high confidence it will work. Since you are pushing pressurized gas into the system, penetrating into the tunnels will be much more effective than the smoke bombs they sell in Home Depot. Poison similarly hasn't been too effective, in Colorado the poison you can buy is weak, it takes a lot of it being eaten by a gopher to kill them - by which time they are likely sick and lose their appetite for it. Strychnine you can buy in Wyoming is more effective, they eat a few bites and they're done. The Rodenator also has a blind spot - you have to have a firm backup plan to take the critters out where they are near gas lines, fuel tanks or perhaps in your leeching field. That's where a drive to the Cowboy state will come in handy. While the poison is certainly not as fun and satisfying as triggering Armageddon in their burrow, lighting off the Rodenator where it will ignite or break something ain't none to smart either. I'll try to find my way back and let you know how our subterranean warfare goes this weekend.
Commenter, Liz Elias, said: We have a plethora of the little critters. Since there are feral cats in the area, (and we like cats), we don't want to use poison, in case a cat might catch a poisoned gopher, and themselves get poisoned. Water hose--uh, yeah--but no! We tried that, and no water every came up above ground (sandy soil), but, we did drown a tree and a shrub trying to flood out the gophers. And yes, our water bill was higher that month. I have gone to the extreme of dropping the deposits scooped from our kitty litter boxes into their holes. I figured they'd think a cat was on the prowl, and make themselves scarce. Nope. That didn't work either; and neither did mothballs. Road flares? As you say--too many "miles" of tunnels--it doesn't get far. Once or twice, they've dared poke their heads above ground when we happened to be nearby, and hubby conked them with the business end of a shovel. That worked; but only for the single nosy gopher. And no--the vibration gizmos don't work--in fact, the suckers dug right up next to it, presumably to find out what it was! Getting a gopher snake has been discussed, but I have a horrid phobia about snakes. They have their place in the ecosystem; I just don't want to see them! It is bad; we're on about 3/4 of an acre, and you put your ankles at risk trying to walk across the 'back 40.' We're still within city limits, though, so no gunfire allowed. We are at a loss.
Commenter, Jason, said: Take a treble hook on a steel leader that is attached to monofilament line, that is attached to your fishing pole. Bait it with peanut butter, put it as far down the hole as possible, open a beer and sit back and wait. Side note: it may take a 6 pack...
Commenter, Ron Powell, said: After decades of poison pellets, I started using the Black Box gopher trap and more recently the Black Hole gopher trap. They work great. I have a 2 1/2 acre lot with sandy soil and killed 21 the first 10 days and have been getting them ever since. Sometimes they will foil the trap, where you pick it up and it is full of dirt instead of a gopher, but you just re dig and re set and you have a good chance, I'd guess 80 plus percent. The gopher pellets have no way of giving you feedback. Warning, if I leave it out all night, a fox in my neighborhood will carry off the whole thing. They are only about 20 bucks and then I at least know I got them. The black box has a stiffer wire and kills them quicker than the black hole but the black hole is a slightly better design IMO.
Commenter, AWS, said: I have 2.5 acres with a small flower garden in front and a 250 sq/ft patch of grass in our back courtyard. The gophers have attacked my grass and my wife's garden. After using poison bait, flooding with the hose and gassers to no avail. I read your article and the comments below. I tried the Bleach and ammonia in my wife's garden. I bought a long funnel, attached 3 feet of plastic hose to it drilled 6 holes towards the bottom of the plastic hose so if the end was clogged shoving it down the tunnel the liquid would still flow out. I tested it with a water, then poured down bleach, cleared it with water (did not want to gas myself) then the ammonia. Pulled out the hose and plugged all the holes where I could see the gas coming out. Instead of killing the little bastar@#$%'s all it seemed to do was make the little bas@#$%$'s mad and they ate more of my wife's garden. In the courtyard I found a nice active tunnel and I placed a trap in it. Since the tunnel was about 12" below ground I took a 2 foot piece of cedar 1X6 fence board I had and placed that over top of the trap and covered it so light could get in. It took 2 nights, and I got one last night. I have reset the trap so we'll see. Back to my wife's flower garden, I will get 2 more traps and go after those little varmints today. More to come....
Commenter, Norm A., said: After losing hundreds of dollars of plants, I had enough. First, gopher pellets, ( 3 cans!), no change. Next gas bombs, more piles of fresh dirt, plumbers torch with LP bottles, gaining. Now using the BBQ LP tank with 10' of hose. Probe to locate den, insert hose, turn on gas for 5 minutes. From twenty fresh mounds the first day to one this morning. Check twice a day for new mounds. Have used one full BBQ tank so far, but winning the battle.
Commenter, Bill in FL, said: Flooding can be very effective where soils are heavy and drain poorly. But if your soil is sandy, as it is here in FL--forget it! The water will drain as fast as you can pour it in. The most you'll do is give the gopher a nice bath.
Commenter, LotusLandry, said: No cats will survive in my densely populated urban environment because the coyotes get the precious cats and break their necks. We ended up having an exterminator for the gophers. The beasts seem to covet the smallest 12 feet square patches between cemented areas. I used to try the gas sticks and I even poured solutions of mustard and chili pepper and other smelly things.
Commenter, julieannbrady, said: Well, I believe I have moles, not gophers. I have been battling these little critters for three years now. I'm trying to figure out how many I have. And wonder if it could be just one in the front yard, or a family? Some mornings, it seems as though that mole has been everywhere. I now have a spayed feral cat policing my back yard so I think that might have moved the mole more to the front yard. What do do? I like the idea with the gas exhaust.
A few more comments are still to be retrieved.

I am not a gopher!

I am a groundhog.

Disposing of Dead Gophers

Place on top of fence post for the larger birds.
Sell them on eBay. Important note: health laws may require you take them to a taxidermist first.
Give to your cat.
Bury them next to your plants most in need of fertilizer, talk about sweet revenge...

Keeping Them Away

Sprinkle hot spices where you don’t want the gophers to be.
Bury chicken-wire beneath where you don’t want the gophers to be.
Mix broken glass where you don’t want the gophers to be.

Ultrasonic, electronic, vibration, and magnetic-field devices do not appear to work. So save your money on those.

Never noticed that before. I think that's his ear. How does it not get filled with dirt or how does he clean the dirt out of it? Maybe he is able to close the thing at will.

About the Comments Section

Do you have a method not listed here? Odds are you do. This is a continually evolving page. If so inclined, add your own method in the comments section below. If deemed worthy, it will be included in future versions of this page.

Shared opinions and experiences you've had with various types and brands of traps would also be much appreciated. If your story can save another reader some grief or aggravation, that is always a good thing.

Sporadic humor aside, it is sincerely hoped this page has given you the information you need. Gophers are indeed obnoxious, little critters.

- End of Article -

I first published this article at another website on 01/24/2011. However to keep the information current, relocating to websitewithnoname.com was best. This copyrighted article has served people well for years. The updates continue.