If you’ve ever walked outside and felt dread at the sight of dirt mounds and dead grass, then you’ve likely encountered the Eastern Ground Mole. Small, furry, and destructive, the Eastern Ground Mole is native to Cincinnati and the eastern half of the United States. It tunnels in yards everywhere, and no homeowner is safe from a potential mole infestation.

Luckily, professional mole trapping services like Trap Your Moles are experts in trapping these pesky critters. But what exactly are they? What are their habits? What do they like to eat? And why did they choose your yard instead of your neighbor’s?

If you’ve ever wanted to know more about the Eastern Ground Mole, then this blog is your perfect opportunity. After all, knowing the enemy is the key to winning the war against moles. Read on to learn about the Eastern Ground Mole.

Physical Description

Eastern Ground Moles are small mammals with a body length of approximately 6.3 inches (16 centimeters). They have soft, gray-brown fur and an elongated, potato-shaped body. The mole’s defining characteristics are its large front feet with shovel-like claws for digging, its pointed snout, and its lack of visible eyes and ears.

Moles are mostly blind, but their fused eyes can sense light and dark. Their hearing is fairly sharp, however. They also have a short, thick tail that they use almost like a backup camera. The tail is covered in fur, and they use their sense of touch as they crawl backward through tunnels.

The Eastern Ground Mole may look like mice or rats, but it doesn’t belong to the rodent family. Moles are more closely related to bats and belong to a classification of mammals called insectivores.

Diet

Being insectivores, Eastern Ground Moles primarily eat insects, although their favorite food is earthworms. Worms, grubs, and larvae of other insects are typically all on the menu for Eastern Ground Moles. They’re voracious eaters, consuming between 25-50% of their body weight in food per day!

Contrary to popular belief, moles typically don’t eat much vegetation. Their tunnels can uproot gardens and other plant life, but they’re not the critters usually found snacking on your vegetables or flowers.

Habitat

Eastern Ground Moles spend most of their lives underground, and they can be found all throughout the eastern United States, Canada, and Mexico. They have the largest habitat distribution of any mole subspecies. They tend to favor soft, loamy soils in moist areas, which makes their digging easier.

They dig both shallow and deep tunnels, which are used for different purposes. Shallow tunnels are for foraging for food, while the deeper tunnels are living spaces.

Breeding

Eastern Ground Moles are typically solitary creatures, but they come together to breed in late winter or early spring, with litters of between two to five young being born between April and June. The gestation period is around 45 days, and the baby moles mature and leave their mother after about a month.

Behavior

Eastern Ground Moles spend the majority of their time digging tunnels to find food. They’re active all day long and all year round, but usually are the most active in the mornings and evenings and are more noticeable in the warmer months. Moles do not hibernate during the winter, however. Instead, they burrow deeper underground, where the soil is less likely to be stiff or frozen from the cold.

Digging deeper down, however, means less oxygen. Eastern Ground Moles have specialized red blood cells that are able to tolerate higher levels of carbon dioxide, so they can survive with lower oxygen levels than other species.

Mole tunnels tend to follow manmade structures, like fences or the foundation of a house. As they dig, Eastern Ground Moles push dirt up to the surface in mounds called molehills. Their shallow tunnels disrupt the root systems of grasses and other plants, as well, as leaving dead patches of grass and plants in their wake.

These tunnels aren’t simply destructive. Moles are quite crafty with their tunnels, building specialized chambers in their tunnels for sleeping, breeding, and raising young. The tunnels can also be used as traps for their prey. Moles can dig new burrows at a rate of up to 18 feet per hour, which means your yard could be home to a network of mole tunnels within a few mere weeks.

Do I need Eastern Ground Mole Trapping Services?

So now you know a little bit more about Eastern Ground Moles. But how do you know if you have a mole problem that needs a professional?

Mole damage can be subtle at first, but it will become more obvious over time as the moles continue digging. We rounded up all the top signs that you need mole trapping services here, but here’s a brief overview:

• Small piles of dirt strewn throughout your lawn, otherwise known as molehills.
• Dead patches of yellow or brown grass, usually in a line following the path of a tunnel.
• Raised lines of dirt just under your lawn, following the path of a tunnel.
• Uprooted plants, especially in gardens or up close to the foundation of your house.
• Visible tunnel entrances in the ground.
• In severe cases, uneven sidewalks or driveways, as moles tunnel underneath the concrete. The ground below can become unstable and make your pathways unsafe to walk on.
• You see moles! This is more likely if you have outdoor pets that hunt, but you still may be able to see the small, furry bodies digging at the entrance of their tunnels.

If you notice any of these signs, time is of the essence. The Eastern Ground Mole can be dealt with, but the most effective method of removing them from your yard and your life is to trap them. Trap Your Moles has been serving Cincinnati and the Tri-State area for years. Our mole-trapping experts are always ready to help you take back your yard. Get in touch with us today to set up your first consultation appointment.

The eastern ground mole lurks underground in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, looking for its new home. Once it finds a hospitable yard full of its favorite foods, it’s likely to stick around. In fact, once moles have made their home in your yard, they aren’t likely to leave on their own. Instead, you’ll need to have them removed before the mole damage problem gets worse.

Mole damage can be widespread and severe, including collapsed above-ground pools, broken driveways, and more. As the moles reproduce, their damage increases, costing you more money in repairs and making your yard an eyesore.

The best way to get rid of moles is to know the early signs of mole damage, so you can act fast. Read our handy guide below for the most common signs of mole damage, so you know what to look for.

Dead or Dying Patches of Grass

Did your lawn suddenly change from lush and green to dry, damaged, and patchy? If so, this could be a sign of mole damage.

Moles dig tunnels underneath your grass, disrupting the root systems and topsoil underneath your lawn. With the roots disrupted, the lawn on top of the surface dies, leading to uneven brown patches along the tunnel’s path.

Look carefully at your lawn if you notice dead patches. A small, concentrated area may not be a sign of moles. But if you have dead patches of grass in multiple areas or in what appears to be a direct tunnel path, you may be dealing with a mole infestation.

Visible Tunnels on the Surface

Along with dead patches of grass, you may notice raised tunnels as a sign of mole damage. Moles uproot plants and grass as they dig just below the surface. Your lawn may appear raised or bumpy along these paths.

You can also use visible tunnels to determine the severity of a potential mole damage problem. Moles tend to dig more tunnels rather than using the same ones. So, you’ll notice an increase in the raised tunnels and dead grass as the moles multiply and expand their territory. More tunnels mean more moles, so you’d want to act quickly to eliminate them before the problem gets any worse.

Molehills or Mounds of Dirt

Molehills and mounds of dirt may not be as common as other signs of mole damage, but you still need to be on the lookout for them. Molehills occur when moles force dirt upwards as they dig under the ground’s surface. As they push the dirt behind them to dig deeper, the dirt becomes raised in small piles.

You won’t notice huge mounds of dirt, however. Molehills are volcano-shaped piles about six inches tall. They’re also usually connected to the entrances of mole tunnel systems, which will be visible on the surface of your lawn.

An Increase in Weeds

Have you noticed more weeds sprouting in your lawn or garden? You may not connect this phenomenon to mole damage, but weeds can actually be an indication of moles in your yard.

As moles dig, they uproot grass and plants with their tunnels. This disruption of their root systems can allow weeds a chance to sprout. As more plants and grass are uprooted, more weeds may pop up in their place. If you don’t catch the mole problem in its early stages, your yard could quickly be overtaken by weeds and mole damage.

Visual Signs of Moles

Mole damage isn’t the only thing you need to look out for in your yard. If you suspect a mole problem, the largest sign will be when you spot the moles themselves. But what do you need to look for? How do you tell a mole apart from other yard pests?

The eastern ground mole is the most common mole species in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. They are small mammals with dark brown fur. They have potato-shaped bodies and are approximately seven inches long and weigh around four ounces. They have beady, black eyes that may be hard to spot due to how tiny they are. Moles also have pointed muzzles and wide, flipper-like feet used to dig tunnels.

Moles are most active during the spring and fall and during evenings or early mornings. You can also catch them more easily moving around after it rains or on a warm day. When the soil is moist and the ground is warmer, they’ll tend to make their way closer to the surface, instead of digging deeper underground.

If you spot moles in your yard, along with other visual signs of mole damage, you’re likely dealing with a mole infestation.

How Do I Prevent Mole Damage?

Getting rid of the moles once they move into your yard is the only surefire way to prevent future damage. However, there are some things you can do to prevent moles from finding your yard hospitable in the first place.

Moles like soft, damp soil. It’s easier to dig in and is home to their favorite foods—grubs and insect larvae that feed upon plant roots. You can take steps to make your soil dryer and less hospitable to insects by using mulch sparingly, and not over-watering. You can also introduce beneficial parasites like nematodes into your garden ecosystem to keep worm and grub populations under control. The less insects in your soil, the less likely moles are to make a home in your yard.

Get Rid of Mole Damage for Good

If you’ve noticed the above signs of mole damage, have tried all the preventatives, and you’re still dealing with a mole infestation, it’s time to call Trap Your Moles. We’ve been the Tri-State’s mole and pest removal experts for years. Get in touch with our trapping experts with our contact form, or give us a call. We can diagnose your mole problem and come up with a solution so you can say goodbye to mole damage permanently.

Their bushy tails and tiny paws might be cute, but squirrels can be a nuisance for homeowners in Cincinnati. The Eastern Gray Squirrel is the most common squirrel species in Cincinnati, and while it’s mostly a harmless, outdoor critter, it can easily cause chaos in homes and gardens. They can especially cause trouble when they move into your home, requiring squirrel trapping services.

The most common issues that squirrels can cause include:

• Damage to your home, including siding, shingles, insulation, and wiring.
• Damage to your garden and plants.
• Health problems due to bacteria from droppings or allergies.
• Carrying diseases or parasites that are transmissible to humans.

While squirrels overall can be healthy to the Cincinnati ecosystem, these problems can quickly get out of control if squirrels are left unchecked. There are several signs you might have a squirrel problem that would require squirrel trapping services. Keep reading for our list of the top signs you need squirrel trapping services.

You See Squirrel Droppings

Seeing animal droppings in your basement or attic is always a cause for concern. But how do you know that the droppings you’ve found belong to a squirrel and not some other pest? Squirrel droppings can look like rat droppings, but there are a few key features that distinguish them from rat droppings:

• They’re smaller than rat droppings, around 3/8 of an inch long and 1/8 of an inch in diameter.
• They’re rounded on the edges and shaped like coffee beans.
• They can be shiny when fresh, but they dry and change color to a paler hue.
• They’re a different color than rat droppings; squirrel droppings are brown with tints of red, tan, or green, while rat droppings are dark brown or black.
• Squirrels don’t defecate while walking, so they will leave piles instead of scattered pellets.
• They tend to defecate in the same area over time.

If you notice droppings matching this description, it might be time to call for squirrel trapping services.

You Hear Strange Noises in Your Attic or Walls

Unless your home is very old, it’s likely pretty quiet. If you suddenly start to hear scurrying, scratching, or chewing noises in your ceiling or walls, there is a good chance squirrels have moved in. Stay quiet and listen when you hear new noises. If you suspect squirrels, get in touch with a wildlife trapping service like Trap Your Moles to do an inspection.

You Notice Damage to Your Home

Squirrels will chew and scratch at human structures to find an entry point inside. They can chew through your siding and shingles, chew on wires inside and out, and tear up insulation. You may also notice damage to bird feeders and patio furniture outside. They can rip open garbage bags looking for food and put teeth marks on drywall. Look closely at your home indoors and out to check for signs of damage. They could be attributed to other critters, like raccoons or mice, but squirrels are just as likely a culprit.

You Notice Damage to Your Garden or Other Plants

Squirrels are omnivores, so they’ll munch on just about anything they can get their paws on. Your garden is a great source of food for them. If you notice your petunias are getting chomped, you may need to invest in squirrel trapping services.

Look for damage to tree bark, flowers, shrubs, and grass. If you grow vegetables or fruit in your backyard, squirrels are huge fans of berries and leafy green vegetables. If your plants are being dug up or munched on and if you notice other signs of squirrels, it’s likely they’re the ones to blame.

You Notice a Foul Smell in Your Home

If squirrels have made a home in your attic, they tend to wander throughout the structure of your home. They can easily fall behind drywall and become trapped. If you’ve heard frantic scratching for a day or so, and then start to notice a foul odor, the stuck squirrel likely died inside your home and is starting to decay. The noxious odors, especially in the summer, can cause discomfort for the humans in your home, and potentially be a health hazard.

Another smelly sign of squirrels is urine damage to your ceiling, walls, or floor. A family of squirrels living in your attic will have to go some time, and what better place than inside your home? You may notice what looks like water damage on your ceiling, accompanied by an odor. Get in touch with a wildlife trapping service fast to remove the squirrel problem before you tackle cleaning up their mess.

You See More Squirrels Outdoors

The final and most obvious sign that you may have a squirrel issue in your home or yard is seeing more squirrels outside in the first place. If you’ve noticed any of the other signs above and are catching more glimpses of bushy tails in your grass or trees, the chances are good that you’re unwittingly playing host to a family of squirrels. Keep an eye on your roof or fences. If squirrels are suddenly hanging out in these places, they may have found a way inside. Check your home closely for damage or an entry point if you’ve seen an uptick in squirrels in your yard.

Call Trap Your Moles for Squirrel Trapping

Trap Your Moles offers many wildlife removal services in Cincinnati, not just mole trapping. If you have noticed any of the above signs of squirrel damage, get in touch with the Cincinnati, Dayton, and Northern Kentucky wildlife removal experts for squirrel trapping services. You don’t have to watch your home and yard be taken over by squirrels. We’ve got the experienced trappers and the permits needed to get rid of your squirrel problem for good.

Use our contact form or give Trap Your Moles a call today. We can often diagnose a wildlife problem over the phone and set up your first visit as soon as possible.

The Eastern Ground Mole is the most common mole that plagues Ohio yards. This tiny pest is a nuisance to homeowners everywhere, and it can cause serious damage. Lawns, gardens, and even sidewalks aren’t safe once a family of moles moves into your yard.

For most homeowners, the key to saving your yard from mole damage is to prevent them from appearing in the first place. There are many do-it-yourself methods and mole prevention tactics that homeowners can take to make their yards inhospitable to moles. Keep reading for our top list of mole prevention methods, as well as our suggestions for how to get rid of moles for good if you are dealing with an infestation.

Make Your Yard Unattractive to Moles

Most ground mole prevention methods involve making your yard unattractive to moles in the first place. If feeding, breeding, and digging are difficult in your yard, any moles that check out your property will be more likely to choose your neighbor’s yard instead. With those three things in mind, these are the top methods to making sure that ground moles don’t call your yard home.

Remove Their Food Sources

Moles feast on grubs, worms, and other small insects that live among the root systems of your plants and in your lawn. Eliminating insects from your yard is the first step to making sure that moles can’t call your property home. You can purchase earth-friendly beneficial nematodes and spread them throughout your yard to create an inhospitable ecosystem for grubs. Nematodes are microscopic predatory worms that hunt down pest insects, but they’re harmless to humans, plants, and pets.

You can also purchase a milky spore mix to spread through your garden. Milky spore disease is a naturally occurring pathogen that is harmless to plants but kills insect larvae. Milky spores do take several years to take effect, but they can be a worthwhile investment to prevent grubs and moles from taking refuge in your yard.

Apply a Mole Repellent

If you’re still working on eliminating mole food sources, you can also spread a homemade repellent throughout your lawn and garden to make sure moles stay away. Castor oil is an effective mole repellent, as it causes digestive upset in moles and makes them less likely to stay in your yard. Mix three parts castor oil with one part dish soap, and then mix four tablespoons of the mixture into a gallon of water. Soak mole tunnel entrances in the water and oil mixture and the moles will eventually move on.

There are also commercial repellents in liquid or granule form available for purchase. Be sure to follow all label instructions carefully when using a commercial repellent.

Create Barriers and Obstacles

You can use landscaping to your advantage to prevent moles from moving into your yard. Create barriers at the edges of your property that make it difficult for moles to dig into your yard. If your yard or garden isn’t easy to get to, the moles will move on to somewhere else, instead.

You can create barriers with several methods. Plants such as daffodils, marigolds, or other allium family plants have a strong smell that is repulsive to moles. Plant these along the edges of your garden or lawn for a beautiful and effective barrier.

Trenches are another type of barrier you can use, as well. Dig a trench around your garden approximately 6 inches wide and 2 feet deep, and then fill the trenches with pebbles or line them with mesh. These trenches will be difficult, if not impossible, for moles to traverse.

Make your Yard Unsafe for Moles

The final step to DIY mole prevention is to make your yard unsafe or difficult for them to live in. Keep your lawn trimmed short so the moles don’t have anywhere to hide. Avoid using mulch or overwatering your lawn, as moles prefer moist soil to dig in. If the soil is too dry, they will have a more difficult time establishing their home tunnels. Drier soil also means fewer earthworms, which are another mole food source.

Get Rid of Existing Moles

If you’ve taken all the preventative methods and you’re still dealing with moles, or you’re trying to fight an active infestation, you will need to find a way to remove the existing moles from your yard. We recommend calling in a professional mole removal service to deal with your infestation, however, there are some DIY methods available to homeowners.

Baiting/Poison

Commercial mole bait is typically shaped like a worm or other mole food source but is laced with a poison that will kill the mole after it has been consumed. Mole poison also comes in a gel form that can be deposited into their tunnels. When a mole comes in contact with the gel, it causes internal blood coagulation, and the mole will die quickly.

Poison gas is also available as an option for killing moles. It is available in a granule or tablet form that you can deposit into the mouth of a mole tunnel. It then reacts with the soil to create a poison gas that will kill the moles as they traverse their tunnels.

Trapping

Trapping the moles is the other removal method for existing mole infestations. You can purchase commercial, mechanical traps and place them in your yard where the moles have tunneled. These traps are spring-loaded and are usually designed to impale or squeeze the mole when set off. These traps require a lot of supervision and effort, but they are effective.

Call the Professionals

If your DIY methods haven’t yielded results and you’re tired of seeing mole damage in your yard, a professional service should be your next step. Trap Your Moles is experienced with trapping the Tri-State’s moles and saving your yard from their tunnels for good. If you’ve tried everything and are still experiencing a mole infestation, get in touch with us for a quote. Once the moles are gone, you can take the mole prevention steps outlined above, and hopefully, you can experience a beautiful, mole-free yard for years to come.

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.

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. 

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. 

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.

Are you tired of seeing clumps of dirt appear in your front yard every day? Do you hate seeing your beloved grass die due to the activity of yard moles? 

If so, then you need to learn all that you can about signs of moles in the yard. Doing so can help you eradicate the problem and take back control of your lawn.

While moles are an important part of our ecosystem, they don’t have to destroy your yard in the process.

See below for an in-depth guide on the many warning signs of moles in Dayton, Ohio, and what to do about them.

1. Piles of Dug-Up Dirt

This is the most obvious and well-known sign of all. Any Ohio homeowner with a yard could tell you that random piles of dirt are a tell-tale sign you have a mole problem.

For those of you out there that are wanting to deny it until you visibly see a mole in your yard, that day may never come.

Moles live in the ground, and you should be happy they do. They are a vital part of the ecosystem because they feed on dirt-dwelling pests like grubs, worms, and other bugs.

However, the hunt for this food can cause issues in your yard. When looking for bugs to eat, moles move dirt around to find earthworms to eat. The closer to the surface their food is, the more obvious it becomes that they’re in your yard.

Moles also partake in the occasional nut, which is obviously found above the ground. 

All of this can equal disaster for your lawn. Mounds of dirt or raised lawn will show up, making it look uneven and unkempt.

These “molehills” are usually the start or end of a mole-made tunnel. They’re generally no higher than 6-inches tall and usually have a volcano-like shape.

If you notice a continuous trend of this, be sure to hire a trusted mole removal service in Dayton. You’ll be glad you did!

2. Your Grass is Dying in Spots

Perhaps you’ve noticed a weird phenomenon in your yard lately. While most of the yard remains green, there are a few spots where the grass is dying. 

If that’s the case, then a mole could be the culprit. This is another consequence of moles trying to find sources of food.

While digging near the surface, moles might accidentally cut off the roots of your grass, even though they’re only ever 6-inches to 2-feet deep. Yes… moles get that close to the surface.

They don’t stay that close to the surface for long, however, which is why your grass is only discolored in certain spots. 

Catching a mole isn’t something you want to turn into a DIY project. Since they live underground, they’re nearly impossible to catch without the help of a trained professional.

For those of you that have tried store-bought items to “fend them off”, you know they can be quite ineffective.

Find a mole removal service instead. We’ll help you catch the underground troublemaker, then release it into the wild where it can flourish.

3. Weeds Growing Viciously

It’s the type of thing that can leave you scratching your head. After all the effort you go through to fend weeds off, why are they still growing in your yard? How is this possible?

Believe it or not, weeds can be a subtle sign of a mole. When they dig too close to the surface and detach the roots of your grass, that real estate becomes open for business.

As a result, weeds might push the dead grass aside and sprout up.

It doesn’t take much for weeds to thrive, either. As long as weather conditions are in their favor (which they usually are in the midwest), weeds can grow virtually anywhere.

All they need is a tiny crack of space to flourish. Hire a professional to help you remove that mole before it can (unknowingly) enable weed growth in your yard.

4. Visible Tunnels

Remember in the show Looney Tunes when a character would dig underground and their tunnel was visible from the surface?

That’s exactly what can happen when you have a mole in your yard. Granted, you’ll never see it develop in real-time since moles are hyperaware of humans. 

These visible tunnels (also known as “ridges”) are only a fraction of the tunnel a mole has made in your yard.

They’re part of an elaborate series of tunnels that lead down to their nest. We can help you get rid of these tunnels once and for all.

5. Your Home Remedies Aren’t Working

Moles are clever; they don’t fall for most (if any) of the home remedies that you’ll find online.

Placing your chewing gum or hair on your yard won’t scare them away. Those store-bought in-ground rods don’t have a strong history of success either.

If your yard is abundant with earthworms, moles will work up the courage to scavenge your yard anyways.

The only true solution is hiring a professional mole removal service. You will have peace of mind, knowing the mole has simply been moved somewhere it can live in peace.

Be Aware of These Signs of Moles in the Yard

Now that you have seen an in-depth list of all the telltale signs of moles, be sure to use this information to your advantage.

Take the time to read this article for more information on how to choose the best wildlife control company for any pests you’re battling in your yard.

To get started, please call us directly at 513-518-5639 and we will be happy to assist you further.

Are you tired of walking outside to see mounds of soil in your yard? Do you want to ensure that your grass avoids turning brown from disconnected roots? If so, then you likely have a mole in your yard.

To get rid of the mole ethically, you’ll need to find a wildlife trapping company to help you. They can catch the mole(s) that are wreaking havoc in your yard, then take them to a safe place where they can thrive.

See below for an in-depth guide on how to choose the best wildlife trapping company in your area and why it’s so important to go this route.

1. Look for Customer Feedback

For some of you, this might be your first time dealing with a mole. You have no idea how to get rid of it or what you should do to keep it at bay. 

Thankfully, you can solve the problem by hiring a professional mole removal in Dayton Ohio. They will trap the mole ethically and move it far away from your property where it can benefit the ecosystem (without ruining your grass, plants, etc.)

But how can you be sure you’re hiring the right service? We recommend using customer feedback before you hire any company. This can be done by either reading online reviews, requesting client references, or both.

The online reviews can be found by Googling the name of the wildlife trapping company you’re interested in hiring or reading the customer testimonials on your site. References can be gathered by simply asking the service for them directly. Here are a few questions to answer when you look into customer feedback:

• Do the customers seem happy with the service that they received?
• What wildlife problems were the customers having? Did the wildlife trapping company solve them?
• How quickly did the trapping company remove the pest(s)?
• Have the pests returned since the company came to remove them?

2. Schedule an Inspection

You should never hire a wildlife trapping service without first scheduling an on-site inspection. Every trapping is different and should be approached with care. 

For that reason, we recommend that you start with an initial phone call. We’ll take 15-minutes to listen to the issues you’re having, ask you questions, and give you insight into how our team of professional mole trappers can help you out.

After that, we’ll schedule a time for an on-site visit, which is when we will inspect your lawn for signs of the pests you’re dealing with, how many there are, and what it will take to catch them. This information will help us give you an accurate quote.

You might be dealing with more pests than you think. Many times, clients think they’re battling one kind of pest when, in reality, they’re battling an entirely different creature. Fortunately, we offer 5 different wildlife trapping services:

• Mole trapping
• Raccoon trapping
• Groundhog trapping
• Squirrel trapping
• Chipmunk trapping

This way, we can ensure that we remove the problem. All of our services are done ethically and give you full peace of mind.

3. Ask for Proof of Business Insurance

No professional business should be hired that doesn’t have business insurance coverage in place. If there is labor involved in the service, then there’s always a slight risk involved. Someone could get hurt, there could be damage done to your property, etc.

That’s why it’s important to ask the wildlife trapping service you’re considering about their insurance coverage. Don’t worry, if they have it, then they’ll be happy to share specifics with you.

Having coverage such as business liability and workers’ compensation can help protect the relationship between the service, workers, and clients (you). If anything were to go wrong, the policies are in place to protect you from paying a cent to cover the damage.

Once you know the trapping company has business insurance, you’ll have more peace of mind when they come to install the traps in your yard.

4. Learn About Their Processes

A wildlife trapping company should always explain the “how” behind their service. How do they trap the animals? How do they ensure a humane service? How do they treat your problem?

You want to make sure that you have all your bases covered. What will the service do if the pest in your yard has offspring? If they trap multiple critters in separate traps, will they make sure the family is reunited when they’re released in the wild?

Are there any situations in which the creature would be killed? If so, what is the service’s reasoning for it? Make sure you understand all the different possible outcomes.

5. Look for a Guarantee

You’ve found a wildlife trapping company that you can trust, but what are they willing to do if the creature returns after the trapping service have been performed?

Most trustworthy companies offer some sort of guarantee. This guarantee gives you security for a pre-determined length of time (generally a year) after the service was performed. If the critter reappears, they’ll come out to trap it again.

The guarantee confirms that your investment was money well spent. If anything goes against the plan, they’ll make sure to correct it.

Hire a Wildlife Trapping Company in Dayton Ohio Today

Now that you have seen an in-depth guide on how to choose the best wildlife trapping company for your needs, be sure to use this information wisely.

Take the time to read this article for more information on mole control and all you need to know about the different methods of mole extermination. For more information, please give us a call at 513-518-5639 and we will be happy to assist you further.