How to get rid of Moles
Gophers aren’t the only critter that leaves mounds. Moles will also create volcano-shaped mounds while digging deeply to create networks of tunnels in their pursuit of worms and grubs.
These deep tunnels provide a yearlong food source. Shallower networks of tunneling can also be created and used as a feeding source leaving behind visible mole runways.
They are often found along a home’s foundation, driveway, or lawn. These raised tunnels have a soggy feel and can cause us to trip, slip, and fall – broken ankles are common especially if this activity is found in a park or school setting.
Finding raised tracks of soil in your garden? Tripping over volcano shaped mounds of dirt that pop up in your yard or fields? You more than likely have moles invading your property.
Lets “dig” deeper into what moles are, their habits, and the options you have for getting rid of them
What are Moles
Moles are burrowing insectivores with cylindrical bodies, pointed snouts, and short lightly furred tails. The fur covering their bodies is short and dense with a velvety texture. They have short shovel like limbs that makes them excellent diggers.
Moles spend that majority of their lives underground. They burrow large networks of interconnecting tunnels. The shallow tunnels, which create visible surface runways, are signs that a mole has been hunting for worms, grubs, and other insects that may live in the topsoil of a well maintained garden bed or lawn.
These creatures are active throughout the year, only slowing in times of extreme heat, cold, or drought when the top most layers of soil are hard and difficult to dig through. Most of the mole activity occurs after rainfall or lawn watering when the soil is easiest to burrow.
Moles are solitary creatures which means that many tunnels will only have one mole inside, except for breeding season which typically occurs during late winter and early spring. Moles will typically have one litter of 3 to 4 offspring.
Damage caused by Moles
Moles can cause considerable amounts of damage to an area if left to themselves. When a mole tunnels close to the surface, creating those unsightly raise tracks of soil, they tend to disturb the root systems of the surrounding plants. This disturbance dries out the plants causing them to wilt and die.
Moles mounds, circular and volcanic in shape, are tripping hazards. Moles will typically create 1-4 mounds in a single area of 20 sq yds. Mounds, surface tracks, and dying plants can become the bane of any home garden or commercial crops.
Repairing mole tracks on your lawn
- Using a shovel, dig down into the burrow tunnels. Burrow tunnels are circular and will be easily visible since they tend not to be too deep. Remove the soil all along the tunnel until it is fully un-covered.
- After entirely revealing the tunnel, fill the base of the tunnel in with loose gravel or sand to about 1 inch or half of the tunnel depth. Be sure to tamp down the gravel so it is packed in tightly.
- Fill in the tunnel with the soil removed from step 1 and tamp down with a hoe or your shovel.
- Using top-soil, fill in the rest of the excavated area until it is even with the existing lawn soil. Often a gopher burrow will have varying depths along its length. This step helps to keep your lawn looking nice and even.
- Using grass seed of the same type as the rest of your lawn (to maintain consistency) sprinkle the seeds along the top-soil.
- Using your shovel (or a trowel if one is available) scoop some top-soil up and gently sprinkle a layer on top of the grass seeds. This layer should be no more than ¼ of an inch in depth.
- Sprinkle starter fertilizer on top of this layer as directed on the packaging.
- Water thoroughly and keep moist for about 2 weeks to help the germination process.
- Wait until the grass in these areas has grown to at least 3-4 inches then mow along with the rest of your lawn good as new!
For garden repair simply follow steps 1-4, but DO NOT add gravel as this will prevent the necessary drainage and root space for plant, vegetable, and flower growth.
Getting rid of moles
Once Mole damage has been assessed and controlled the next step is to implement prevention methods and a system to monitor future infestations. No single method is fail proof when trying to control lawn pests, thus it may be necessary to apply a combination of the following prevention techniques:
1. Repellents:
There are several home treatments to try and “repel” unwanted moles. Though some of the following remedies may help to discourage a mole from invading a specific space this only serves as a deterrent and will not be a permanent solution. At best you will only be scaring moles away from your yard and into your neighbors, or possibly into another area of your property.
- Frightening devices: Mole Wheels, vibrating wind mills, and whistling bottles. These devices cause noise and vibration that supposedly is frightening to moles. Though no research has proven these items to be an effective way to stop moles from causing damage or driving them from an area.
- There are several commercially available mole repellents, most often castor oil solutions. Research on these solutions has shown some efficacy in deterring moles from advancing their tunneling and damage in an area. Regardless of the efficacy this will only drive moles from one area to another, not eliminating the threat of these animals causing more damage.
A moles diet consists of mainly earthworms and insects. A variety of grain like mole poisons are available on the market, but the research on the efficacy of these poisons shows little promise as they do not reflect the moles natural diet. There have been advances in the baiting technology that better mimic a moles natural food source. Kaput Mole Gel is one such bait that can be squeezed directly into the mole tunnel. There is also a worm shaped gel bait that can be purchased and placed directly into the tunnel. Limited research has been done into the efficacy of these new baits, but the studies that have been done show a larger percentage of efficacy than grain based baits.
Mole traps have long proven the most effective technique to use when battling a mole infestation. There are several types of mole traps readily available on the market, the most effective being the scissor trap and the harpoon trap. These traps easily dispatch the critter and are reusable.
For the most effective results when trapping you need to be as knowledgeable about the habits of the moles in your yard. Watching and taking note of the most used areas, tamping down tunnels and watching for the area to be disturbed several times will give you a good idea as to where you should set your traps.
If you find yourself facing a mole problem, let a professional take care of it for you. Here at Got Gophers we specialize in finding, trapping, and getting rid of your mole infestation quickly and painlessly. Call now for more information!
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