Moles and Their Holes

It seems like moles are a problem that every homeowner has at one time or another. As widespread as they are, it is surprising how many feel powerless in dealing with them. Many believe the wild lore that surrounds these elusive, furry little pests – and that may lead to much of the ineffective control and eradication.

Have you heard that balls of Juicy Fruit gum strategically placed in and around a mole run will ‘gum up’ the moles’ digestive tracts?

How about spiking runs with little bars of laxative to make moles explode as they eat what they assume to be milk chocolate? (No, I am not making this up.)

Or how about positioning an empty glass bottle at the mouth of one of their runs so that the vibrations of wind entering the neck of the bottle will spook a mole off of the property?

I’ve heard a lot more than I actually know, and here are some things I know to be facts about moles.

Moles Work Alone

It seems that moles work in large armies due to the staggering amount of destruction they can inflict. But really, moles are solitary creatures that work alone. What looks like the work of many is probably just the work of one soft and furry little troublemaker. The truly damaging nature of their work comes from their unwillingness to reuse their runs.

Voles, nasty rodents that chew on the roots of many different kinds of plants from turf grass to fruit trees to tender bulbs, often use empty mole runs. They’re the REALLY bad guys. At least moles eat grubs that are destructive in lawns.

Moles ‘swim’ through the soil with powerful little forearms, eating grubs as they make their way.

Moles Eat Grubs, Not Your Lawn

Moles are exclusively carnivores, and they have a voracious appetite for earthworms, beetles, grubs, ants, and other insect larvae. They might even be considered beneficial – if they didn’t turn lawns, gardens, nurseries, golf courses, parks and cemeteries into Swiss cheese. Moles eat their weight in bugs every day and travel 12 to 15 feet per hour through the soil in pursuit of their feast.

Moles Don’t Sleep for the Winter

Moles don’t hibernate – they just go to where the food is. Although we don’t see moles in the winter months, they are still there – only several feet deeper – burrowing away, eating the vittles that crawl deeper into the soil to avoid the cold winter air. Come spring, they make their way back to the surface and leave their telltale ridges in the soil.

Control the Mole

Moles are controlled by trapping . . . .

Trapping is the best way to control the mole population. Traps come in three forms: harpoon, choker and claw. The trap’s effectiveness depends on finding where active runs are located and positioning the traps to catch the movements of the mole. In other words, trapping is a participatory endeavor – not at all like the setting of a mousetrap. They don’t work on bait – they work on being at the right place at the right time.

And eradicating the mole’s food source . . . .

The implementation of a grub control program can greatly reduce the amount of foodstuff in your lawn that moles need to survive. Grubs have destructive feeding habits themselves, so a grub control program can relieve stress on your summer lawn. Diazinon, Dylox or Proxol, Oftanol and Sevin (Carbaryl) are chemicals that are found in home and garden centers for grub control. As usual, follow the directions and remember to water the pesticide in immediately after application or wait until a soaking rain is in your forecast before laying it down.

Personally, I think a mole is sort of cute with its velvety-soft fur and dark little eyes – but when they turn a lawn into a hole-y mess – they are an unwelcome guest that needs to be escorted from the premises immediately.

See you soon with more helpful tips from GardenPower, CDC-BME, and your Local STIHL Distributor!

Moles? Joe's Got the Solution
A common problem covered in velvety fur. How to rid your yard of moles.

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