What Are Moles?
You need to know how to identify a mole before trying to get rid of them. Moles are small burrowing animals that look similar to mice. These mammals spend most of their lives underground. Moles have very poor eyesight, which heightens their other senses like touch. Their snouts have adapted over time by growing tentacle-like protrusions that are supersensitive.
Moles are sometimes mistaken for gophers or voles. You can tell these rodents apart by the shape of the mounds they create when they dig. Molehills are round or oval shaped, while gophers create kidney-shaped mounds. When voles dig, they don’t leave dirt surrounding the entry point.
A mole infestation can cause lots of damage to your lawn. The most telling sign that you have moles is the presence of raised mounds. Additionally, you may find dead patches of grass following a mole’s path or ridges crisscrossing your lawn.
Trapping Moles
To effectively control the mole population in your yard, you should use traps. Some traps allow you to catch and release moles. You can also set up do-it-yourself traps. Start by digging a hole deep enough to hold a 2-to-5-gallon bucket. Place the bucket into the hole, pack the dirt around the edges and cover the hole with sod or plywood. Mark the hole with flags or spray paint so you don’t trip over it. Keep pets away from the area. Check the hole daily. Once the moles have fallen into the hole, simply remove the bucket and relocate the moles.
Before beginning any excavation, call 811 to check for underground utilities.
Traps are made from metal, plastic or both. They work to efficiently eliminate moles by killing them instantly so they don’t suffer. Be sure to place your traps on a main runway created by the moles in your yard. Start by poking holes at the top of the suspected runway. If the moles repair it in one to two days, that’s a prime location for the traps and bait. Here are a few types of traps.
- Scissor mole traps are placed inside the tunnel. These traps have spring-loaded blades located at each end and a trigger in the middle.
- Tunnel mole traps feature an enclosed box with a metal wire loop. This type of trap is sometimes referred to as a box-style, choker-style or loop-style trap.
- Plunger mole traps use a spring-loaded spike and are quite easy to set up because they don’t require much digging.
Creating a Barrier
If you don’t want to kill the moles in your yard but do want to minimize the damage they cause, build a barrier. If you have a garden, moles can use their tunnels to eat your crops. There are two methods you can use to protect your garden.
Create a Vertical Barrier
You can create a vertical barrier by digging a 2-to-3-foot-deep trench around the perimeter of the garden. Fill the trench with rocks or wire mesh to prevent digging. It’s important to note that the wire mesh must also come 6 to 12 inches above the ground.
Bulb Cages
This can be a tedious task, but creating small cages around your bulbs is an efficient way to protect them from pests. Be sure to create wire cages for each individual bulb.
Keeping Moles Away
Some areas are bound to have more moles than others, but you can keep virtually any yard mole-free with the right prevention methods. The first thing you should do is change the environment and make it uninhabitable for them. You can improve drainage since they prefer moist soil. Try not to overwater your yard to avoid creating preferable conditions for the moles. You can also remove food sources in your yard or apply mole repellent. They dislike castor oil, which is the main ingredient in most repellents. These tips should prevent further mole invasions.