subject: Ground Mole Control - Extermination [print this page] Does your yard look like a war zone? You look out over the lush green grass and everywhere you look you see little ridges and mounds. Oh no, what have those kids been up to now? It wasn't the kids, you have ground moles. Ground moles? What are ground moles?
Ground moles are a little blind burrowing animal belonging to the Talpidae family. They have round bodies, sensitive snouts and dig like they are swimming the breast stroke through the Earth. There are 22 different species of ground mole in the United States. These little animals can be from 1-9 inches long, are brown or grey in color and burrow everywhere for food. These busy little creatures do not hibernate and so are busy all year long making a mess of your lawn.
Although ground moles make a huge mess out of lawns, gardens and crops they are actually useful little creatures in that they also aerate the soil, clear pests and fertilize as they go. They do not eat any plants, bulbs or roots so damages are limited to the runs and unsightly burrows they create in their never-ending quest for food. The trouble is that the preferred food of the ground mole is close to the surface, so as they tunnel and burrow in search of a meal or to build escape routes from danger they disturb the ground resulting in furrows in your lawn. So now you know what they are, how do you get rid of them?
Mole Control
Moles are notoriously difficult to get rid of. There are really only two ways to do it and neither way is simple. Well simple in theory but not so simple in practice. The first way is by poison bait. To use poison bait you must first identify which tunnels are regularly used and then plant the bait. Moles have tunnels that are used often as well as some that may be used once or twice and abandoned. This method has its pros and cons. Poisoned moles can be mistakenly eaten by house cats and other wildlife, so finding and eliminating the carcasses may be important.
The other way is by traps. To trap them you must also identify the used tunnels and place the trap accordingly. Moles are not considered dangerous but may bite, so use heavy gloves if you need to handle a live mole as they have needle sharp teeth. Once trapped the animal must be released far away so it can not make its way back into your yard. Throwing it over the fence into the nasty guy next doors lawn will not work. He may have a mole problem but the mole will simply say thank you for the extra food and make his way back into your yard.
Both methods of removing ground moles can be difficult and inhibited by breeding; a female mole throws a litter of up to 8 young 2 times a year during the spring. You need to get them all to be successful.
Ground moles are prolific as well as common in most states in the U.S. These little animals can make a huge mess out of a yard in very little time and can be difficult to deal with. It may be better to leave the removal to a professional.
