The label is the law. Rates and restrictions below are taken from the product labels listed under Sources. Your product's own label governs; read it before you mix or apply. Mixing calculator · Disclaimer
- Active ingredient
- Sodium nitrate (with sulfur and charcoal)
- Chemical class
- Burning mixture. The label calls the lit cartridge a flare that burns at very high temperature and is made with energetic chemicals.[1]
- Mode of action
- Burrow fumigant: the burning cartridge fills sealed tunnels with toxic gases such as carbon monoxide and sulfur oxides; rodenticides have no IRAC insecticide group[1][2]
- Signal words
- Victor / Sweeney's Mole and Gopher Gasser (Smoke Cartridge): Warning[1]
Gas Cartridge (USDA APHIS): Warning[2]
Fire and burn hazards
Once lit, the cartridge burns hard until it is used up. It can cause severe burns to skin and clothing and can set dry grass or leaves on fire.[1]
Point it down and away from your body when lighting, and never hold a burning cartridge in your hand. Clear the tunnel first, since a blocked hole can make it back-fire.[1]
Endangered species and state limits
Both labels list protected animals whose habitats are off-limits or restricted, such as kangaroo rats and the desert tortoise. Near prairie dog towns, a 4.3-mile buffer protects the black-footed ferret.[1][2]
The Woodstream label is not for woodchucks in California, allows only Norway rats in North Carolina, and says Kansas requires a wildlife permit. Local ordinances can ban gas cartridges outright.[1]
Where it is used
Treat only burrows you have confirmed are active. For moles, flatten a bit of surface tunnel and recheck in 24 hours; if it has been raised again, the runway is in use.[1]
Seal every other opening first, and gather soil or rocks before lighting. Push the lit end in first, then cover the hole right away without smothering the cartridge.[1]
Never use it under homes, porches or other buildings because of the fire risk, and skip it when grass or leaves are dry enough to catch.[1]
For pocket gophers, one cartridge at the end of a runway is usually enough. Re-treat in 5 to 7 days if fresh mounds appear.[1]
Products and registrations
| Product | Registrant | EPA Reg. No. | Active % | Formulation | Signal word |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Victor / Sweeney's Mole and Gopher Gasser (Smoke Cartridge)[1] | Woodstream Corporation | 36488-67 | 50.0% | pyrotechnic smoke cartridge | Warning |
| Gas Cartridge (USDA APHIS)[2] | U.S. Department of Agriculture, APHIS | 56228-61 | 53.0% | pyrotechnic gas cartridge with fuse | Warning |
Safety and environmental hazards
People
Signal word WARNING: causes eye irritation, and eye protection is recommended. The fumes may be harmful if inhaled, so stand with your back to the wind and avoid breathing the smoke.[1]
Pets
The label warns against treating skunk dens under homes or buildings where toxic gas could reach people, pets or livestock. Store cartridges where children and pets can't get to them.[1]
Bees and pollinators
No bee statement appears on either label; the gas is released underground in sealed burrows.[1][2]
Fish and water
The labels call the product highly toxic to wildlife. Check every burrow for signs of other animals, and skip any burrow that non-target species may be using.[1][2]
Common questions
- Are gas cartridges a restricted use pesticide?
- No. Neither the Woodstream gasser nor the USDA Gas Cartridge label carries a Restricted Use statement. The USDA cartridge says it is not intended for sale to anyone under 16.[1][2]
- Can I use a gopher gasser under my deck or porch?
- No. The label forbids use under buildings, homes, porches or other structures because of fire risk, and use inside any building.[1]
- Which animals does the USDA Gas Cartridge cover?
- Woodchucks, yellow-bellied marmots, ground squirrels and black-tailed, white-tailed and Gunnison prairie dogs, in open fields, rangeland, lawns, golf courses and similar sites.[2]
Sources
- U.S. EPA Pesticide Product Label System, “Smoke Cartridge (Victor / Sweeney's Mole and Gopher Gasser) master label label, EPA Reg. No. 36488-67 (EPA-stamped, Oct. 12, 2023).” www3.epa.gov/pesticides/chem_search/ppls/036488-00067-20231012.pdf (accessed 2026-10-06)
- U.S. EPA Pesticide Product Label System, “Gas Cartridge (USDA APHIS) label, EPA Reg. No. 56228-61 (EPA-stamped, March 11, 2026).” www3.epa.gov/pesticides/chem_search/ppls/056228-00061-20260311.pdf (accessed 2026-10-06)