How To Tell if You Have a Mole Problem at Home

Mole Problem

If you’re one of the 33% of people who tend to their lawns several times a week, the last thing you want is a mole ruining your hard work. When your garden gets disrupted by these little critters, it’s time for action.

The sooner you deal with a mole problem, the better. However, it can be difficult to tell how serious the situation is.

With the right information, you can determine whether you need to hire a professional or if you can handle the issue on your own. Here are some of the most common signs that your mole problem has gotten out of hand.

Holes in Your Garden

If a mole moves in, you might see signs of digging around your home. These holes are usually about an eighth of an inch wide. However, they can be smaller or much larger depending on how much work was done by the moles.

Underground Noises

Moles make a lot of noise in the ground, which can be deceiving for those who are not familiar with mole habits. They’re digging tunnels and pushing dirt around as they look for food, mates, and places to raise their young.

You can put your ear to the ground and hear their movements. Keep in mind that finding a mole isn’t always easy, but the noise will give you a good idea of where to look.

Detached Plants

When moles tunnel beneath a plant, they push it up in the process. If you see this happening with your plants, inspect their root systems and look for signs of mole damage. You may see small holes in random areas.

This is the most common indicator that moles are near your home.

Lots of Weeds

If you’re noticing a lot of weeds in your lawn and don’t remember planting any seeds recently, this may be a sign of mole activity. When moles dig, they disrupt your soil. Overturned soil makes an ideal environment for weeds to grow.

Numerous Earthworms

Earthworms are good for your garden because they make your soil more stable. However, where there are lots of earthworms, moles are probably not far away. They’re one of their favorite foods.

Moles push more earthworms to the surface during their digging. You’ll see an unusually large number of these creatures in your garden. They may even start appearing near your garage or doorway.

Get Rid of Your Mole Problem

As you can see, there are a lot of indicators that you might have moles in your yard. The first thing to do if you think you have moles is to check out the ground around your home for signs of digging. If this proves the case, then you have to act quickly.

If you spot a mole tunneling through your lawn, call Trap Your Moles immediately. We can set traps around your property and get rid of your mole problem once and for all.

Ground Mole Poison: A Quick Guide

Ground Mole Poison

Are you a homeowner?

If so, you probably invest a lot of time and energy in keeping your lawn looking as healthy and beautiful as possible. And if you’re like most homeowners, you despise any type of rodent that burrows into the ground, thus breaking havoc with your grass and flowerbeds. 

Getting rid of moles might be a top priority, but it’s not easy. That’s because you need to understand the best strategy for mole removal that will eliminate the problem without destroying your lawn or endangering your family.

Here we take at how to use ground mole poison to defend your lawn against tunneling rodents that can drive you crazy. 

What are Ground Moles?

Let’s start by discussing what moles are and how to identify them. A mole is a small animal that lives underground and is generally not seen by humans. They are known for digging holes and then tunneling beneath the surface, which weakens the ground, thus damaging lawns and landscaping.

You’ll typically know you have a mole problem when you notice ridges on the surface of the lawn which are caused by tunneling. They will also produce piles of dirt from digging, and the ground becomes spongy where the tunnels have hollowed it out beneath the surface.

How to Get Rid of Ground Moles

There are several techniques for getting rid of moles when you have a mole at home. But here we are going to discuss the use of poison for eliminating your ground mole problem.

Types of Mole Poison

The primary types of mole poison include bromethalin and warfarin.

Bromethalin is distributed throughout your lawn in the form of artificial worms. These worms are specifically manufactured to replicate the odor, appearance, and chemical makeup of earthworms. 

Bromethalin is a combination of Bromine and fluorine, which leads to convulsions when eaten by ground moles. It’s important to note that bromethalin is sold under the name Talpirid and may require a license to purchase in some states.

Warfarin is popular for controlling rats and mice but can also be effective in eliminating lawn moles. This type of mole poison can be distributed in the form of artificial worms or injected directly into the soil using a syringe.

Zinc phosphide can also be used to kill a mole at home. This type of poison comes in pellet form and is known to kill moles very quickly, oftentimes in as little as 2 to 3 hours.

Hire a Professional Mole Control Service

The best strategy for controlling moles at home is to hire a mole control service. These are specialists who understand how to identify the problem quickly and provide a solution such as poisons or ground mole trapping that will help protect your lawn from these nasty pests.

A Guide to Using Ground Mole Poison

It’s no secret that keeping a lawn of any size looking great requires a lot of work, discipline, and a basic knowledge of lawn care. You also need to understand how to cope with pesky rodents. Fortunately, this guide to using ground mole poison will help keep your lawn in top condition throughout the year.  

Please contact us to learn more about eliminating moles from your lawn quickly and efficiently.

How to Keep Unwanted Animals Out of Your Yard

how to keep unwanted animals out of your yard

The real estate market did pretty well in the last few years, with over 6 million existing home sales in 2021 alone. Of course, most homebuyers got inspections and looked for standard problems. They looked for issues with roofs, plumbing, electrical systems, and foundation.

Yet, most people don’t give as much thought to problems like animals in your yard or garden. Also, around 34 percent of 2021’s homebuyers were first-time homebuyers.

If that’s you, there’s a good chance you don’t know how to keep unwanted animals out of your yard. The good news is that our quick guide will help you keep animals from invading your lawn.

Animals that Dig

On the whole, you don’t want most animals living in your garden or your lawn. They’re often hard on vegetation and will frequently eat vegetables in a garden. Any animals living in your lawn or garden are also likely animals that dig.

All of those holes and tunnels can prove expensive to repair. Plus, they’re a hazard for your lawnmower and your feet. Some of the common digging animals you see in lawns include moles, groundhogs, raccoons, chipmunks, and squirrels.

Now that you know the common culprits, how do you keep them away?

Modify the Area

Animals aren’t particularly hard to understand. They want food, shelter, and water, preferably in close proximity to each other. If you’re struggling with animals if your yard or garden, odds are good that they’re finding at least two, if not all three, of those things.

For example, if you have a birdbath, it’s a great source of water. If you pull some sod and see grubs, you’ve identified the food source.

Getting rid of convenient water sources and treating a grub infestation makes your lawn and garden must less enticing.

Repellants and Deterrents

You can also use a variety of repellants and deterrents. For example, you can put up fencing or use chemical deterrents. Chemical deterrents can come in a retail or DIY form.

You can also use devices, such as sonic spikes and motion sensor lights, to discourage animals from taking up residence on your lawn.

Removal

Removal isn’t a DIY project, and it’s even against the law for homeowners to try in some locations. For the best results, you’ll want a professional pest removal service that specializes in digging animals. They’ll know the best options for capturing and removing your unwanted animal guests.

How to Keep Unwanted Animals Out of Your Yard? Consider Your Options

The problem of how to keep unwanted animals out of your yard has several potential answers. You can try to modify the areas to remove easy sources of food and water.

You can also employ a variety of deterrents and repellants that range from fencing to chemical repellants and motion-activated lights. If those methods fail, you’ll likely need professional pest removal services to deal with the problem.

TrapYourMoles.com offers pest removal services in Western Ohio, Eastern Indiana, and Northern Kentucky. For more information or schedule an appointment, contact TrapYourMoles.com today.

What Does a Ground Mole Look Like?

what does a ground mole look like

81% of Americans have a lawn. They ranked it as the second most important feature when buying a home, only behind a renovated kitchen. Any pest that ruins this important area is bound to get on their nerves, and one of the most common is the mole. 

There are at least 42 species, and they live in every continent except South America and Antarctica. At least 7 of them live in the United States. 

The star-nosed mole gets its name from its star-nosed snout, and the hairy-tailed mole gets its name from its hairy tail. The most common is the Eastern mole, otherwise known as the ground mole.

What does a ground mole look like? That question isn’t as easy to answer because it doesn’t have a stand-out physical feature like its cousins.

Read on to find out how to identify these pests and how to get rid of them once they enter your yard.

What Does a Ground Mole Look Like?

Looking up pictures of ground moles can help you know what to look for. They’re only 6-8 inches long and weigh less than a pound. Their fur is brow to dark gray. They have a snout protruding from their face.

One of the most distinguishing ground mole features is their feet. They’re large and paddle-like with large claws. They help the mole dig through the soil to find insects and worms to eat.

How Do I Know If I Have Them?

If you think you have an infestation, your first question should be “what does a ground mole look like?” The next one should be “what are the signs of mole damage in my yard?”

Ground moles dig their tunnels close to the surface. You may be able to see them, and they cause dead patches of grass. 

You may also be able to spot a molehill. They’re shaped like a volcano, only about 6 inches tall, and are connected to mole tunnels.

These tunnels and molehills can even increase the number of weeds in your yard. They uproot the existing root structures of your yard and allow weeds to thrive.

Ground mole signs also resemble the signs of voles. They’re rodents and are smaller with rounded ears. They also dig tunnels, but the major difference is that they eat plants instead of insects. This causes even more damage to your lawn, plants, and trees. Call a pest control expert to determine which one you have.

Who Should I Call to Get Rid of Them?

What does a ground mole look like? They don’t have a star-shaped nose or a hairy tail, but they do have a unique appearance.

One of the most notable ground mole characteristics is their flat, paddle-like feet that help them dig. They also have dark brown or gray fur and a protruding snout.

Look for the signs of their work in your yard. Check for tunnels, molehills, weeds, and uprooted plants.

Trap Your Moles can get rid of any ground mole infestation. Contact us for mole removal today.

Ground Mole Trapping: How To Build a Ground Mole Trap

gopher gopher general spermoph

Did you know that ground moles can eat nearly their entire body weight worth of earthworms in a single day? 

Despite them being such fascinating creatures, ground moles can wreak havoc on your property if you don’t take action to manage them. The problem that people often face is that they don’t know how to get started with ground mole trapping. 

We’ve created a guide to help you out. Keep reading if you want to find out more. 

Find the Ground Moles 

Not all ground mole burrows are active tunnels. If you want to find out if they are active, press down some soil into each burrow and then return to check on them a few days later. Tunnels that ground moles have raised again are active. 

You should focus on placing ground mole grasp around these holes. 

Keep in mind that most DIY mole removal techniques are not effective. This is why you should instead use the best Ground mole traps.

Build a Trap

You can build a trap with materials that are lying around your home such as a plastic bottle or a jar. If you use a plastic bottle, you’ll need to cut the top off. 

Then get a piece of string and attach a piece of hard candy or gum to one end. Fasten the other end to the top of the jar or bottle so that it is dangling above the top of the jar. 

You’ll then need to go to an active burrow. Take a shovel or a space and excavate a hole that is just big enough for your bottle or jar to fit into. Place the jar or bottle into the bottom of the burrow. 

Next, cover the burrow’s opening with a board so that it blocks sunlight from coming inside. 

Catching a Mole 

One of the most important DIY ground mole trapping tips is to be patient. It might take a day or two for a mole to fall into your trap. Check it regularly to see if you’ve caught one. 

If you do not end up catching a mole in the trap you’ve set, consider hiring a ground mole removal service to help you out. This is an especially good idea if you have many moles on your property. 

Relocate the Mole 

If you catch a mole, you should relocate it away from your land. Consider moving it to a location that is far away from your neighbors’ properties as well. 

Get Started with Ground Mole Trapping Today 

If there are too many ground moles on your property, it’s important to know how to get started with ground mole trapping. After setting your trip, keep an eye on it to find out if you’ve trapped one. 

Are you looking to hire the best ground mole trapping service? If so, we are here to help you. Contact us today to get a free quote. 

Animal Removal: Animal Control Myths That You Should Know

Animal removal

Animal attacks are a major fear among humans, mostly due to movies, games, and various stories that depict animals as vicious, mindless, killing machines with no real reason for their actions. This image couldn’t be further from the truth, though. In reality, the animals most likely to seriously harm you are ones most of us wouldn’t expect.

The deadliest animals in the United States, for instance, include cows, deer, dogs, and bees. The good news is that some dangerous or even just pesky animals can be dealt with by calling for animal removal.

Much like the animals we fear, there are many misconceptions about animal control that continue to persist. We’ll discuss and dispel them in this article.

Animal Control Only Catches Unruly Animals

In addition to helping get rid of pests, animal control also picks up strays and takes them to shelters. There’s a persistent belief that all stray animals were abandoned because they are misbehaving.

Behavioral issues are the most commonly-cited reason for animal surrender, this covers a lot of situations, many of which aren’t really the animal’s fault. The biggest is difficulty training the animal.

Let’s face it, training a cat or dog isn’t easy, and many people underestimate the amount of dedication it takes. In some cases, the pet runs away and the owners can’t find it. Cats are notorious for this, sometimes running away for days, weeks, or even months at a time and then returning whenever they feel like it.

Animal Control Will Only Catch Stray Animals

Animal Control does a lot more than just catching former pets. Anybody who’s ever had an unwelcome wild animal in their home knows this. 

The problem is that getting rid of animal intruders isn’t easy. Whether your problem is squirrels, moles, or even a raccoon, kicking them out is often much harder than it seems. 

If you find a raccoon in your house, for instance, chances are it isn’t alone. Raccoons often sneak into people’s attics to raise young.

Putting Animals in Shelters Just Guarantees Them an Unhappy Life

This idea is blatantly false and does nothing but discourage less wealthy people from adopting. Being rich doesn’t make you a better pet owner, and most people benefit from having a pet.

Adopting animals is often more affordable than breeding them, but that money isn’t taken from any vital parts of adoption. Shelters still run background checks on potential owners and ensure that the pet isn’t too aggressive to adopt. The only thing that’s been slashed is the adoption fee because the shelter is a nonprofit and is more about helping animals than making money.

Animal Removal and Rescue

Animal control has gotten a bad reputation over the years, and it doesn’t deserve it. Animal Control workers catch animals so the animals can go to a shelter and get a chance at adoption and a better, safer life.

The same is true for animal removal. Humans and wild animals are an active danger to each other, so it’s better for both species if they’re separated.

Do you have moles in your yard? We can tell you what to look for.

Are Moles Dangerous to Your Yard?

are moles dangerous

Holes, holes, holes!

Patches of your grass are dying, and there are little mounds of dirt everywhere. Instead of the problem being temporary, the holes only increase, and soon enough your yard looks like a prairie!

It looks like you have a mole infestation.

Moles might seem like cute critters you’d find in a Disney movie, but they’re difficult to remove, and they’ll wreak havoc on your lawn. It’s not as simple as flooding their warrens. These guys have intricate networks, and they can dig fast.

Fortunately, there’s a solution to your mole problem. Read on to find out more.

Are Moles Dangerous?

You might be tempted to think that moles are like mice, rats, gophers, or voles. But that’s not the case. They’re shy creatures that don’t bite humans.

Moles live most of their life underground. As such, they tend to have poor eyesight. However, they make up for this by having an incredibly sensitive nose that allows them to navigate their subterranean home with ease.

You may be worried that moles are responsible for eating your plants. But moles are insectivores (meaning they only eat insects) which is why they spend most of their time underground. Their diet consists of grubs, worms, and anything else they can find in the dark, moist soil.

Why Are There Moles in Your Yard?

Moles may be attracted to a number of features that your yard provides. As a result, they may remain in your yard for many mole generations.

They seek out cool soil that is filled with insects. They have a tendency to follow human-made borders: hedgerows, fences, and walkways. They love the root systems of bushes, shrubs, and trees since these places are filled to the brim with bugs.

Moles will only migrate to another yard if their food supply diminishes. Pesticides may drive moles to leave your property for greener pastures, but this process could take a long time.

What Damage Can Moles Do to Your Yard?

For starters, mole tunnel networks can weaken the ground. You risk twisting an ankle when you accidentally collapse a section of the tunnel. This may cause future problems when having to fill in and replant areas of your lawn or garden.

Moles are also notorious for killing off grass and other plants. While moles do not eat plants (remember, they’re only insectivores!) they often disturb the root systems. These root systems tend to have abundant food sources. 

If moles like your yard, they may stay there for a long time. Meaning more tunnels, more dead plants, and more risk of tripping when you accidentally collapse a tunnel.

Another threat moles pose to the integrity of your yard is not the moles themselves, but what comes after. Voles, another species entirely, will use the networks moles have already dug. And voles love to eat your plants and roots!

How Do You Identify a Mole Infestation?

Moles are quite easy to identify since they have three main signs:

  1. As mentioned earlier, moles cause the grass to die when they burrow past its roots. You may be able to identify lines of dead grass and dying shrubs. This may be a result of the tunnel running directly beneath your landscaping.
  2. Wherever moles dig an entry or exit hole, they leave a mound known as a molehill. These may be up to 6 inches in height. So while the saying “don’t make a mountain out of a molehill” may be useful advice, molehills can be a sign of serious problems!
  3. Molehills, unlike the holes of other species, are spaced apart by as much as 6 feet or more. In addition to this, molehills are often piled with dirt clods and clumps of earth, rather than finer dirt. If you find holes that are very close together, you might not have a mole issue.

If you’re not sure whether your yard is showing these signs, there are experts in mole control who can take a look.

How to Get Rid of Moles

There are plenty of home remedies circling the internet, but your best bet is to hire a professional. This will save you time and avoid an infestation that never seems to end. There are three main methods of eliminating moles from your yard:

  1. Eliminating their food source via pesticides. This is the slowest method and may take time to work–if it works at all. Remember, most of a mole’s food supply is beneath the earth!
  2. Trapping is the fastest and most effective method of mole removal. Moles are driven out or isolated and then captured with mole traps. 
  3. Baiting involves feeding the moles poisoned grubs. While this will kill moles quickly (usually in a day or less) that risks a dog or a cat eating a poisoned mole and getting sick as a result!

Once you’ve eliminated the local mole population, there are methods to ensure they don’t return.

How to Prevent a Future Mole Infestation

You’ve paid a professional and gotten rid of those pesky moles! However, there are some tips to keep your yard mole-free for the coming years:

  1. Maintain a trimmed, tidy yard. Moles prefer staying in cover. Eliminate tall grass, piles of mulch, and other debris that will encourage moles to move in.
  2. Control a mole’s food supply. Solutions such as milky spore and beneficial nematodes will kill off their favorite grubs.
  3. Create barriers of fragrant plants. Moles are especially averse to anything from the allium family. These include marigolds and daffodils.
  4. Purchase a sonic spike. These can be found in your local home and garden. When inserted in the ground, they create uncomfortable electric pulses to drive away moles–but which you and your family won’t feel.

Final Thoughts

If moles are infesting your beautiful lawn or garden, it’s time to act. Find a professional near you who can give you back your outdoor property.

The Different Types of Moles Found in the United States

types of moles

Picture this. 

You walk out to your yard in the morning, a cup of coffee in hand. You just mowed the grass yesterday so you’re expecting a pristine expanse of green.

Instead, you see large piles of dirt and tunnels near the surface. You immediately know the culprit. 

It’s the dastardly mole. 

At least 42 types of moles live in the world around us. They’re found on all continents except South America and Antarctica. Seven of these are North American moles. Moles dine on invertebrates and insects and they dig elaborate tunnels to find their prey. 

Some moles can even dig 15-foot tunnels in an hour. 

Moles are generally harmless until it comes to your yard. Their tunnels are long and winding, damaging the grass above them. And the dirt they displace ends up in piles in your yard.

And that’s what ruins your beautiful grass. 

If you see signs of moles read on to learn more about types of moles in the United States. We’ll also learn how to get rid of moles once and for all. 

Common Types of Moles and Their Behavior

The majority of the moles in the United States live east of the Rocky Mountains. Their bodies are about six inches in length and they have broad, flat paws designed for digging. 

Most moles are active at dawn and dusk during the spring and fall months. They may surface during heavy rain. Moles stay deep underground during the hot summer months. 

Moles do not hibernate. When the ground begins to freeze they dig deeper in search of food. They return to the surface when the weather warms up.

Contrary to lore moles are not blind. Moles’ eyes are small and, like their ears, are covered with fur.

Since they spend their lives underground their eyesight has developed to focus on various shades of light and dark. To make up for this moles have an exceptional sense of smell

Regardless of these fun facts, moles are a nuisance. Here are the common types of moles that are ruining your beautiful lawn. 

Eastern Mole 

The Eastern mole is the most common destroyer of yards in the United States. Their range extends from Wisconsin in the north to Florida in the south. 

Eastern moles live in all types of habitats, including forests and fields. But they prefer to dig in loose, well-drained soil. 

And this is the exact type of soil you’ve cultivated for your yard.

Eastern moles produce one litter of about 4 pups each year. But baby moles grow quickly and reach sexual maturity at about ten months of age. The Eastern mole lives for six years so each female can produce up to 24 pups in her lifetime. 

Eastern mole tunnels are close to the surface. You’ll notice the dead and dying grass right above these tunnels. These tunnels can collapse. Collapsed tunnels have the potential to injure livestock and humans.

Horses are especially vulnerable to collapsed mole tunnels. 

Star-nosed Mole

Known for its nose the star-nosed mole is aptly named. Its unique nose senses vibration and electricity, making it an efficient predator. But it likes to feed on earthworms which are vital to the health of your lawn. 

Star-nosed moles live in eastern Canada and the eastern portions of the United States. Their range extends south to northern Florida.

Star-nosed moles prefer low-lying, damp areas and are even good swimmers. Star-nosed moles love golf courses because they’re frequently watered. But they’re not too discriminatory; they love to dig up lawns too. 

The star-nosed mole’s tunnels result in numerous piles of dirt in your yard. But their tunnels are also very deep, making them harder to control. 

Star-nosed moles also produce about 4 pups a year. Weaning starts at 30 days and star-nosed moles reach reproductive age at 10 months. 

Hairy-tailed Mole 

Hairy-tailed moles live in southern Canada, Ohio, and other parts of the Great Lakes region. Their behavior is like other North American moles. But this mole has a distinctive hair-covered tail.

The hairy-tailed mole’s tunnels are shallow resulting in strips of dead grass in your yard. Hairy-tailed moles don’t eat the grass. Instead, when they burrow they disturb or injure the roots, causing the grass to die.  

Hairy-tailed moles reproduce in much the same manner as their Eastern mole and star-nosed mole cousins. An average litter consists of four pups and the female pups are ready to reproduce at 10 months of age. 

Do Moles Have Natural Predators? 

If you’re wondering how to get rid of moles you may also wonder if moles have natural predators. They do but since they spend their lives underground it’s difficult for predators to find them. 

Red foxes, possums, and even bullfrogs are known to eat moles. Hawks and other raptors hunt them during their brief moments of surface visibility. Sometimes snakes will enter mole tunnels and feed on the young. 

Dogs can sometimes detect moles and will dig to reach them. But this exacerbates the problem and leads to further lawn damage. 

But predators do very little to control mole populations.  

The best way to get rid of moles is to hire a professional who specializes in mole trapping services. 

Eliminate Your Mole Problem Today

Some Americans spend up to $500 per month on landscaping services. Specialized yardwork can cost even more. All this money flies out the window when moles move onto the property. 

It’s easier and cheaper to stop a mole infestation before it gets out of hand.

All types of moles cause costly damage to your yard. Consult a professional today and learn how beautiful lawns are restored with mole trapping services. 

The Do’s and Don’ts of Mole Removal for Keeping the Pests Out of Your Yard for Good

mole removal

Moles are common pests that exist on every continent. The little buggers love to dig tunnels underground, wreaking major havoc on your yard and landscaping.

In North America, moles can grow to be between five and seven inches long. That means there’s potential to cause serious damage to your curb appeal.

If you’re wondering about mole removal and how to go about it, read on for some helpful do’s and don’ts to keep them out of your yard for good.

Spotting the Infamous Mole

It’s important to know the signs of ground moles so you can start the removal process. These tiny mammals travel along paths or tunnels that they make underground. If you notice small trails of grass all over your yard that seem worn out, it could mean moles are present.

The biggest reason moles are a problem is that they chew up and eat the roots and bulbs of plants. This can cause your entire lawn or garden to die off in just one season.

You won’t likely see moles in your yard with the naked eye. These animals live underground, so it’s important to look for the red flags.

If you sink down into the ground in certain spots or notice small trails of raised dirt, it’s likely you have a mole problem. Look for small mounds of dirt that resemble tiny volcanoes. This is a typical sign that moles are lurking underneath your lawn.

You might think that moles are only an issue during the warmer months. But, these little pests can actually handle extremely cold temperatures, making them a year-round annoyance.

Mole Removal: Do Eliminate the Food Source

Moles enjoy eating insects that live in the dirt, particularly grubs and worms. If you cut off their food source, they’ll either starve or move on to other areas to find something to eat.

Use milky spores to kill the grubs in your soil, and the moles will eventually disappear. This may take a few seasons, however, so you might not have time for this option to work as quickly as you’d like.

If you want to try something more aggressive, use a grub-killing insecticide. Once the source of food is gone, the moles will likely move somewhere new where food is easy to find.

Mulch and piles of compost are attractive to moles. If possible, remove these items from your lawn and garden to help make the area less appealing. 

Don’t: Try To Trap Moles Yourself

Trapping is one of the most common methods for permanent ground mole removal. While the idea seems simple, attempting to do this DIY can lead to frustration.

Not only will you need to know how to set the traps, but you’ll also need to know how to bait them and where to put them. Instead of using your own traps, it’s best to contact professional mole removal services near you.

The pros not only know how to trap moles, but they also know the best ways to do it effectively. This is an ongoing process that requires a lot of time, patience, and physical work.

While you’re welcome to try and trap the moles in your yard on your own, you’ll need to keep doing it in order for it to work. Consider calling a professional mole removal company that has experience dealing with these nagging pests instead.

Do: Use Mole Repellants

If you have moles in your yard, you can use repellants to keep them away. Moles hate castor oil since it disrupts their digestive tracts and will make your lawn less enticing.

You make your own mole repellant by mixing four tablespoons of castor oil with one gallon of water and two tablespoons of liquid detergent. Mix everything together in a blender, then add it to a watering can and fill the rest of the can with warm water. You can also apply it to your lawn using a garden sprayer attachment.

Evenly distribute your mole repellant all over the yard, including around the edges. You can also try granule or liquid repellants that you can find at most hardware stores. If you choose this route, be sure to follow the instructions closely for the best results.

Another way to “block” moles is to create a border around your yard by planting marigolds or daffodils. Moles don’t like the smell of these plants and will likely move to another location. Plant them in raised beds and use netting to help keep the moles out. 

Don’t: Assume that Moles Will Disappear Fast

One of the biggest misconceptions of mole removal is that it’s a one-step process. These little pests are quite resilient and will take a lot of work to get rid of completely.

Eliminating their food source and using some humane repellant products is a good place to start. But if the moles keep coming back, it’s time to take more drastic measures. 

If you think that one treatment of mole repellant or just a few traps will get rid of them, you’re going to be disappointed. A better option is to contact your local mole removal service for help so that you can get rid of them once and for all.

Get Rid of Pesky Moles

Keep these tips in mind for effective mole removal. While repellants and removing the food source can help, it’s always best to consult with professionals.

If you need help getting rid of moles in your yard, be sure to contact us today to find out more about our services. 

How to Trap a Mole That Is Causing Trouble in Your Yard

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Moles can dig up to six inches into the soil, leaving piles of dirt mounds above the ground. These creatures are carnivorous and feed on earthworms as 80% of their diet and 20% grubs and insects.

Thus, they won’t cut the roots of your beautiful plants, and you may wonder why it’s essential to trap a mole. Despite all that, moles are still destructive. For example, they dig up vast soil masses beneath the ground, leaving the plant roots hanging and drying.

Additionally, the piles of dirt they leave on your lawn are an eyesore to the beautiful environment you’ve created.

This article explains the different methods to kill or catch a mole. Keep scrolling to get the weapon to protect your lawn’s beauty.

1. Use the Spring-Loaded Prong Traps

The prong traps are more effective and time-tested. Thus, they’re the ideal choice for most professional pest control firms.

After setting, the web activates when the mole pushes against the metal extending inside the tunnel. The trap then snaps and kills the mole instantly.

To use the trap, you first need to locate the active tunnel. This step applies to almost all mole traps.

Using a probe or stick, poke in the soil between the dirt piles on your yard till you feel a hollow ground beneath.

Then, step on the passageways to find one or two different piles to close the channel and come back later. If you see a passage through the tunnel again, it means it’s an active one and ideal for setting up your trap.

Create a flatter area above the tunnel. At least make it broader than your trap’s base, and place the web above the flat ground.

Every manufacturer has a user manual with instructions on how best to set the trap. Ensure you follow the instructions for safety and efficiency.

Likewise, you must cover your taps using a large bucket to keep pets and kids out of bounds. Check later to see if you captured any mole and remove the creature. If there’s nothing, shift the trap to a different spot.

2. Use a Scissor Trap

Scissor traps are another set of solutions if you’re looking for a way to kill the mole instantly. It’s easier to use, given that you can determine if you’ve caught any moles from afar.

To use it, locate the mole tunnels. Then, use your trowel to dig out a small area around the active hole.

Set the scissor trap inside the hole, and camouflage it using grass and soil. After the mole enters the web, you can remove it and keep your equipment for future use. Though it may take time, given a single mole is more than enough to wander and cause the mess around your yard.

That’s because moles live independently, and three to five of them in one acre could be overpopulation. Thus, there’s typically only one mole in a yard.

3. Use a Choker Loop

Choker loops, like the previous two, are also instant mole killers. Locate the active tunnels, then dig a hole, clearing any loose soil or stones from the opening.

Afterward, ensure all the loop parts of your instrument can sit upright inside the opening. Follow the user guide from the manufacturer for efficient directions on setting the trap. But, be cautious lest you catch your fingers during the procedure.

Apart from the instant killers, some traps are also effective in capturing moles alive. These are more effective if you want to transfer the creatures to a different location.

However, they’re not so effective, given that the moles will migrate to your neighbor and continue their digging business.

4. Use a Shovel

Trapping ground moles using a shovel is ideal if you enjoy hands-on jobs and won’t mind spending some time on the process. You need a pair of gloves and two shovels to carry out the operation.

Using a shovel, flatten all the dirt mounds on your yard and stand at a distance. Watch out for movements suggesting that the mole is trying to create the hills again. Hurry to the location of the disturbance and dive a shovel into both sides of the spot.

That will cut off exit points and trap the mole. Then, you can wear your protective gloves and dig the creature out of the ground carefully. Place the mole in a box or bucket, and transfer it to wherever you desire.

5. Use the Bucket Method

Catching a mole using a bucket is both easy and cheap. After seeing the warning signs of mole infestation, locate the tunnels.

Then, excavate a hole that can bury a 2- to 5-gallon container beneath the tunnel’s level. Place the bucket inside the spot, and pack dirt around its edge.

Use plywood or sod to cover the hole, so you can quickly inspect if there’s any mole inside every day. While digging, the mole will accidentally fall into the bucket. You can then capture and relocate the creature quickly and efficiently.

6. Use the Flooding Method

Moles dig tunnels around your yard in search of food and to create habitat. Like most other animals, moles hate living in flooded homes. So adding enormous amounts of water into an active tunnel will most likely force the creature out of the tunnel.

It’s an excellent way of attracting moles into a waiting trap above the tunnel. If the mole isn’t coming out to the web, you may want to consider this method to effectively force it out of its hiding place.

How to Trap a Mole

This article illustrates the most effective ways to trap a mole and rid your yard of these destructive creatures. Of course, mole trapping isn’t the only solution, but it’s the most effective.

For instance, some homeowners use artificial repellents, castor oil, or poison to keep off the moles. But these methods aren’t sufficiently effective and may transfer the problem from your yard to your neighbor’s.

If you’re unsure how to go about the process, hire an expert to handle the process for you. Contact us for additional information and guidance on how to catch a mole.