Dylan Harapat, a 9-year-old entrepreneur from Minnesota, started a business trapping gophers that are a nuisance to homeowners, Fox 9 reported.
His entrepreneurial spirit has made him famous locally. according to outlet.
“I caught over 10 gophers,” the young entrepreneur told Fox 9 on Wednesday, reporting that he estimated he made “about $78” from his summer business. (Related article: Margie's Bakery's MAGA hat cookies spark a firestorm of online criticism, manager says)
In Sherburne County this summer, some homeowners are turning to unconventional solutions in their battle against destructive rats. https://t.co/gjPTehBrQa
— FOX 9 (@FOX9) July 18, 2024
Homeowner Jennifer Clotter vouched for the youngster's motivation and effective methods, Fox 9 reported. “Dylan is my new best friend. He's amazing,” she told the outlet. She reportedly recounted a time when a gopher ruined her lawn by digging tunnels underground. “I just… [didn’t] “I don't have a yard anymore,” she told Fox 9.
Clotter told Fox 9 that she called Dylan after “seeing a little head poking out.” The station noted that Dylan likely saved the homeowner hundreds of dollars in payments to exterminators.
Riding on his success, Dylan has increased the price of his service: “It used to be $2 per gopher, now it's $5,” he told Fox 9.
Dylan's father, Aaron Harapat, told the outlet that all of his son's clients contacted him first and that his son did not have a Facebook account. “He would sit with a clipboard and we would try to organize our clients on a spreadsheet. My guess is that Dylan is booked up for at least two weeks,” Aaron told Fox 9.
Gopher colonies left unattended near your property can cause extensive damage to trees, yards, and gardens. according to To Erich Pest Control.”[G]”Gophers damage plants and cut underground roots. Gophers also damage rubber and plastic pipes and garden hoses,” the website notes.
