These little diggers can cause a lot of damage.
Use these tips to stop existing moles and prevent more from moving in.
These small mammals can cause damage quickly because their tunneling ruins any plants in their path.
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On the positive side, molesaerate the soiland eat destructive insects while theyre at it.
Learn how to get rid of moles in your yard before they do extensive damage and keep them away.
What Are Moles?
Moles are burrowing insectivores.
Moles build new feeding tunnels constantly and may not use the same one twice.
You may find entry and exit mounds, usually round and symmetrical, pushed up volcano-fashion by the mole.
The hole usually has soil in it but remains visible.
The mounds are connected to main runways.
The runways are 12-18 inches underground and not typically visible.
Moles feed on insects and insect larvae, but theyre especially fond ofwhite grubs, a common lawn pest.
Given a choice, moles pick moist, sandy loam soils over dry,heavy clay soils.
They are most active during warm, wet months, although they live underground year-round.
How to Identify Moles
Moles have black or gray fur and a prominent, hairless snout.
Their eyes are very small and buried in fur that they are almost invisible.
Their front claws are large and hairless, designed for digging.
Their ears are not visible.
Pocket gophers dont create prominent raised ridges as they go.
Their tunnels look more flattened than mole tunnels, with fan-shaped or semicircular mounds.
Each mound may contain a visible hole, although earth clumps can camouflage the hole.
If you happen to see one of these creatures, you might be able to identify it by size.
At 47 inches long, a mole is smaller than a pocket gopher but larger than a vole.
Humane Solutions
Remove the food source.
Without their favorite food source, moles tend to move on.
This organic pesticide can be used safely around children and pets.
Put out a live trap.
Youll need to find an active tunnel for the trap.
roll out the live trap.
following the product directions.
Check the trap daily, or the animal might die while confined.
Take it far away from your yard and release it.
Granular repellant with castor oil works the same way.
Not all repellants are child- and pet-safe.
Confirm a repellent or deterrent is safe to be around your family and animals before buying it.
Lethal Solutions
Figuring out how to get rid of moles can be tricky because they live underground.
Poisons and fumigants are options but should be avoided ifyou have petsor children that may be exposed.
Go techy with ultrasound:Install ultrasonic mole-repellent devices.
These devices emit an ultrasound that drives moles away without any chemicals.
They are low-maintenance (some are solar-powered) and safe to use around people and pets.
Spread a deterrent:Make your yard inhospitable by sprinkling a child- and pet-safe granular deterrent around the yard.
If a mole tunnels into this barrier, it usually moves on and digs elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moles will leave on their own only when their food source runs out.
Otherwise, theyre likely to stick around unless the homeowner takes some action.
you’re able to also rake out their tunnels.
After theyre gone, fill the holes with topsoil andadd sod or seedfor new growth.
Be careful using vinegar because it can kill surrounding plants.
Although they leave unattractive tunnels and weak spots in the yard, they also provide some benefits.
They eat grubs, beetles, ants, snails, and termites.
They also aerate and fertilize the soil.
