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Gophers do not hibernate, meaning you could, at least theoretically, have a gopher problem in your yard any time of year. During the colder parts of the year when soil isn't as easy to work with, gophers may not dig as many holes or be as active and instead will burrow deeper into the earth to go below the frost line to stay warm.

You can expect to see more gopher activity during the spring and fall when warmer temperatures make digging easy, and there is an abundance of new (or recently harvested) plant life available for them to graze on. They come out during the day and sleep at night.

The time of day that most snakes are active is at night. This is when they prefer to hunt since they can do so under the cover of darkness, out of sight of predators and the prey they stalk. However, some snake species prefer very hot temperatures and are strictly active during the day.

Identifying the specific animal running on your roof at night can be challenging without direct observation. Common nocturnal roof visitors include raccoons, squirrels, opossums, and rats. Raccoons are bigger and can create heavy thumping sounds. Squirrels are agile and may produce rapid scurrying noises. Opossums tend to move stealthily with less noise. Rats can make scratching or gnawing sounds. To determine the culprit, look for signs like footprints, droppings, or damaged areas near the roof. For accurate identification, consult a pest control professional or set up wildlife cameras near potential entry points.

Although raccoons aren’t particularly picky regarding food, certain sounds, metals, and smells bother them. You can place these items around your home to keep raccoons away:

• Place wire mesh screens around and underneath decks and porches to prevent raccoons from nesting. 

• Put metal sheeting around the edges of your roof or at the base of trees to deter raccoons from coming close. 

• Place a loud battery-operated radio near the raccoon’s den to keep them from nesting.

• Keep a bowl of cider vinegar on your deck or porch.

• Remove old raccoon scents by thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting underneath porches and decks.