WHAT ARE MOLES?

HOW CAN YOU RID YOUR LAWN OF MOLES?

Moles are ground-dwelling carnivores that can cause your lawn and garden major havoc. These feisty pests are carnivores interested in feasting on insects, not grass and plants.

If you are unlucky enough to have become a host lawn for moles, lots of bad things are often happening. A significant invasion of moles and/or similar pests most often signifies a high population soil pests. That can’t be good.

Identifying them is not that challenging of a task…if you ever get to actually spot this sly pest. The Old Farmers Almanac describes them as feisty little mammals that boast hairless snouts, tiny eyes and Idaho-potato shaped bodies. Weighing in around 4 ounces, most average 7 inches in length.

They love moist, loamy soil as they actually swim along underground, using their wide front flippers to traverse the soil. The wetter the better, which is why they are most active early morning or evening, in the spring and fall.

Unlike vegetarian voles, moles love insect pests, grubs and soil organisms, even beneficial varieties like earthworms. Such an appetite as well as a desire to find a mate requires they dig deep into your lawn. If they have welcomed themselves, volcano-shaped mounds often sit on top of your lawn next to their almost foot-long tunnels.

By far, the best strategy against mole infestation is to prevent their arrival in the first place. Work diligently to keep their food supply…grubs and bugs…away. That should ensure that moles make their home in someone else’s lawn.  

Completely eliminating them from your lawn if they have a consistent presence may require an outside professional. Humane trapping is by far the most effective. There are remedies to eliminate the effectiveness of their tunnels should they best be ‘passing through.’