Mole Damage


Signs of Mole activity in the Lawn and Garden

Mole Damage! Mounds of dirt all over your perfectly groomed lawn. Annoying tunnels wrecking freshly laid mulch – disrupting roots and killing flowers or vegetables.

How can one animal wreak so much havoc? The number of mounds does not equal the number of moles. Surface tunnels and mounds of dirt throughout a lawn are often thought to be caused by several moles, but it is usually just one.

They are solitary creatures – and very territorial – that spend a lot of time burrowing new tunnels searching for food. Populations in lawns and gardens are only between 1 to 5 per acre. They love moist loamy garden soils where digging is easy. Just one of these critters will create 150 ft. (or more) of a new tunnel in a day.

Mounds of dirt, a telltale sign of the presence of moles in the lawn
Volcano-shaped mounds or “hills” are evidence of recent activity.

Mating takes place over the winter months. The young are born in late winter and spend about a month in the nest before they are encouraged to head out on their own. That is why a lot of new infestations occur in the spring.

What Do Moles Eat?

Don’t blame them for eating your bulbs or seeds!

Contrary to popular belief, they do not eat plants or plant parts – they are insectivores (they eat insects) feeding mainly on earthworms, white grubs and other invertebrates. Earthworms are their favorite meal. However, they will occasionally use parts of plants for bedding material.

Mole damage is the result of tunneling activities. They spend most of their lives underground in extensive tunnel systems. The dirt mounds and hills are proof of recent activity.

Damage Caused by Moles in the Lawn and Garden

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Moles in the lawn

A single mole can dig 100 ft. or more of new tunnels a day hunting food.

Mole Damage in Lawn mole hill in lawn Mole Damage - lots of mole hills Mole Damage in Garden Bed Vole or Ground Squirrel Tunnel

Getting Rid of Moles

There are two ways to solve a mole problem – traps and baits. Trapping is the most effective, humane and eco-friendly solution.

Repellents and other home remedies are gimmicks that don’t work. The key is learning how to set traps properly.

These common lawn problems might interest you:

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Mole Traps – Getting Rid of Moles in Lawns

Mole Traps: Catching and physical removal is the only surefire way to solve a ground mole problem. Why poison baits, gadgets and repellent don’t work.

Mole Control | How to Get Rid of Moles in the Lawn & Garden

Mole Control: Traps and physical removal are the only surefire way to solve a ground mole problem. Why poison baits, repellent and remedies don’t work.

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