Moles

My yard has been completely overtaken by moles. Does anyone have any tried and true methods of getting rid of them? It's really pitiful that we let it get as out of control as it is but it seems like they got worse overnight! One day there were just a few tunnels and the next we couldn't even walk 2 feet without sinking into the ground. It's almost like our yard is completely hollow now.

Our subdivision borders a very large farm and I'm afraid that maybe we are going to be fighting a losing battle with these critters because of it. I would atleast like to send them to the neighbors yard if possible though.

Hate to say it, but "removal" is the only answer. And, even then, I think there are scores of backups waiting in the wings to come into your yard. As Cindy Sullivan says, just think of them as natural aerators, and you'll be happier.

We had the same problem with chipmunks. Scores of them making our back yard into a gridwork of tunnels. We were afraid to put out poison because if another critter (cat or dog) gets hold of a carcass it could harm them as well. Our problem took care of itself in the spring after a monster rain that flooded the tunnels for a couple of days. I doubt it killed them all but it certainly thinned out the population. It may take hours for them to recover.

We had the same problem with chipmunks. Scores of them making our back yard into a gridwork of tunnels. We were afraid to put out poison because if another critter (cat or dog) gets hold of a carcass it could harm them as well. Our problem took care of itself in the spring after a monster rain that flooded the tunnels for a couple of days. I doubt it killed them all but it certainly thinned out the population. It may take hours for them to recover.

How did you know it was chipmunks? I assume that we are being overtaken by moles but I've never found a mole hill to back that up. I really can't figure out why they've come to my house. My neighbors yards on either side appear to be tunnel-free.

We set some traps yesterday and bought some pellet things to insert in the tunnels but I don't have much confidence in either of those methods.

We used to sit on the back deck and watch the little critters scamper about the yard then disappear into a hole. I have no idea how or why they stake out a territory. The presence of a food supply and lack of threatening predators I would guess but I sure don't know.

I'm certainly no authority on this subject, but it seems to me the moles come to a particular yard because of the food supply. Don't they eat a lot of grubs, etc.? If so, it would seem that diminishing the numbers of grubs in your yard might make it less "attractive". We put down something from time to time to kill fleas, ticks, grubs, etc. There are a number of products out there. Read the directions carefully. We try to time the granules we put down for just before a big rain (snow could work too, I'm sure). I usually bisect my yard with some temporary fencing so I can still have a place to turn out the dogs without them walking on the pesticide granules. Then, a couple of days after the rain, we switch the fencing, treat the other side and turn them out on the previously treated section.

Lois

I'm afraid Carl is your only hope.[attachment=0]Caddyshack_91085_7.jpg[/attachment]

I'm certainly no authority on this subject, but it seems to me the moles come to a particular yard because of the food supply. Don't they eat a lot of grubs, etc.? If so, it would seem that diminishing the numbers of grubs in your yard might make it less "attractive". We put down something from time to time to kill fleas, ticks, grubs, etc. There are a number of products out there. Read the directions carefully. We try to time the granules we put down for just before a big rain (snow could work too, I'm sure). I usually bisect my yard with some temporary fencing so I can still have a place to turn out the dogs without them walking on the pesticide granules. Then, a couple of days after the rain, we switch the fencing, treat the other side and turn them out on the previously treated section.

Lois

No, they mostly eat earth worms. The best solution is to accept their presence, but the castor oil based treatments seem somewhat successsfull.

, No, they mostly eat earth worms. The best solution is to accept their presence

I think that sums it up perfectly.

I remember Fred Wiche saying this was the most frequent question he was asked.
Ohio has a nice summary brochure on the subject at http://ohioline.osu.edu/w-fact/0011.html - basically chemical controls don't work and are dangerous besides, traps can work but they will probably come back. The best advice is to convert your turf to mulched areas - right now you can get free mulch on most any street, bagged and waiting for you.
Mole fun facts:
- A 5 ounce mole will consume 45-50 lbs of worms and insects each year.
- Moles can dig surface tunnels at approximately 18 feet/hour.
- Moles travel through existing tunnels at about 80 feet/minute.
- Moles contain twice as much blood and twice as much hemoglobin as other mammals of similar size. This allows moles to breathe more easily in underground environments with low oxygen.
Also, I remember from my days as a biology student that the Latin name for the eastern mole Scalopus aquaticus was a mistake by Linnaeus - he found one dead in a puddle and thought they were aquatic. They aren't, that's why it was dead.

Also, I remember from my days as a biology student that the Latin name for the eastern mole Scalopus aquaticus was a mistake by Linnaeus - he found one dead in a puddle and thought they were aquatic. They aren't, that's why it was dead.

Ward, thanks for the cool piece of trivia! That made me laugh.

Ohio has a nice summary brochure on the subject at http://ohioline.osu.edu/w-fact/0011.html

That's a great article! Thanks for the link. It says that trapping is the most effective and practical method for control. We have had a trap set for several days but so far we've been outsmarted. I think I would have more options if I could find the actual holes but I can't find any! It seems that we only have the tunnels and they're originating from another yard or perhaps the farm behind us. I don't understand why my three dogs aren't keeping them away.

My yard has been completely overtaken by moles. Does anyone have any tried and true methods of getting rid of them? It's really pitiful that we let it get as out of control as it is but it seems like they got worse overnight! One day there were just a few tunnels and the next we couldn't even walk 2 feet without sinking into the ground. It's almost like our yard is completely hollow now.

Our subdivision borders a very large farm and I'm afraid that maybe we are going to be fighting a losing battle with these critters because of it. I would atleast like to send them to the neighbors yard if possible though.

You're probably lucky the dogs aren't tearing up the mole runs when they see movement. If you have the "spikey" sort of traps and have them on fresh runs you'll get them ... zen-like patience required.

One tried, and somewhat successful, method I tried when I had my house in Nashville was to put in unwrapped stick of Juicy Fruit gum (not the generic stuff, the REAL, Honest to God Juice Fruit). Need to be careful as not to get the human smell on it. I always wore gloves when I did this. They are attracted to the smell, and can't digest the gum, so it literally "gums up" the works, and they keel over.

It took about 6 weeks of doing this every other day to get rid of the problem.