Moles

There is a general opinion in the public that moles invade a yard because of grubs, and that if you kill off the grubs, then the moles will go away. It is true that if you have a bad grub problem, it can attract moles. However, you can kill off all the grubs and you probably won't get rid of the moles because 3/4 of a mole’s diet is earthworms, which we certainly don't want to eradicate.

Moles live for about 7 years and burrow up to 18 feet per hour. They make nests 3 – 4 feet underground, and dig tunnels underground in search of food. They can have up to 3 litters per year, with between 3 and 8 baby moles in each litter. Damage to turf grass results from the tunnels lifting the top part of the grass roots away from the soil. Thus, the roots dry out and the grass dies. Additionally, mowers can scalp the grass over the tunnels, and the tunnels can be tripping hazards, and make the lawn lumpy and uneven.

Tamping down the run before mowing will prevent damage to your lawn and equipment. Spreading some grass seed on the run will help replace lost grass. Care should be taken to limit the amount of watering you do to your lawn as this increases the amount of earthworms and other mole prey and keeps them near the surface which will create more surface tunneling.

Natural lawns which contain native grass or plants will help prevent the need to water to promote growth. Using non-toxic methods such as insect and grub control are also helpful since this will limit the food source for the mole.

Traditional natural mole repellents can be relatively effective at controlling mole populations in turf areas. Typically, the active ingredient is Castor Oil, which has, historically, proven to be the best available non-toxic product.
The best way to use repellents is to treat a small area surrounding the house, and over the course of several days, work your way outwards from the house toward the property line. This will give moles an “escape route”.

Trapping is the most successful and practical method to get rid of moles and eliminate damage. If you are not interested in managing traps yourself we suggest you contact a qualified pest removal service. In the Michigan and Indiana area, we recommend American Animal Control. They can be contacted via phone at 574.518.4840.

More resources for mole information:

• Here is a great primer on moles in Washington.
• Guidelines for trapping
• Habitat and trap placement
• You should also visit the moleman!