Identify Pest Problems Correctly
- Inspect your lawn often to detect pests and other problems early.
- Plant damage may not be caused by pests. Plants can be injured by poor growing conditions, poor maintenance practices, or environmental problems .
- You need to identify the pest to look up information that will help you decide how to control the pest and to prevent further problems. See Pest control tips for information about specific insect pests.
- Beneficial insects may be mistaken for pests. For example, ants are sometimes considered pests because they make visible mounds on lawns. But they do not attack the grass.
- In a healthy lawn, beneficial insects can keep pest insects in check. For more information on beneficial insects, see Understanding your lawn’s lifecycle.
- If you are having trouble, your local garden centre may be able to help you in identifying a pest, and there are many good sources of information on the Internet or in reference books.
Kill Ground Moles In The Garden With Mole Traps
Mole traps are commonly found at home goods stores and are a quick and easy way to enforce mole control in your garden and lawn, just as it is one of the quickest home remedies for killing mice in or outside your house.
If you are concerned about the cleanup process regarding mole traps, there are now several hands-free devices that do not draw blood. The trap will catch a mole and kill it quickly and allows you to dispose of the critter without touching it.
Set up the mole traps at the holes you have located in your yard. The latest models of these traps have a signal to inform you when the trap has a mole inside it.
This easy method makes killing moles in your yard worry-free. Additionally, the clean up needed is minimal.
Get Rid Of Their Food
Moles love insects. Things like grubs are delicious treats for them. If youre getting moles, theres a likelihood you have a healthy grub population too.
Taking measures to get grubs out of your yard with yearly grub treatments, youll make your lawn less attractive to moles. If they dont find enough food, theyll leave sooner or later.
However, this is only partially effective, as they may stay and feed on other insects, like worms. This mole prevention strategy is good, but its not usually an effective mole removal strategy.
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How To Get Rid Of Moles In Your Yard And Garden
Moles: while some people think they look cute, they can cause severe damage to your lawn and landscaping.
Moles construct intricate networks of tunnels and mounds in the ground and quickly kill or damage the plants, grass, and trees in your outdoor space. If you want to reclaim your yard, the only solution is to learn how to get rid of moles.
Dont worry – it is possible to figure out how to get rid of moles humanely. Here at Smiths Pest Management, our team has helped thousands of customers throughout the San Francisco Bay Area reduce mole populations and enjoy their landscaping once more.
In this post, well share our top tips. Lets dive in.
Mole Myth #: Control The Grubs To Control The Moles
Moles dig main lines through your lawn searching for food mostly earthworms. Ryan Lawn and Tree can reduce your mole population and preserve your beautiful lawn.
MYTH BUSTED: While moles can eat grubs, 90+ percent of their diet is comprised of earthworms. Therefore, controlling grubs is not going to control moles. There are two types of moles in the Midwest the eastern mole and the European mole. These energetic insectivores feed mostly on earthworms but will also eat insects or anything else that falls in their path! A mole will consume food equal to 25 to 50 percent of its weight daily! DO NOT expect to control moles by using grub control products. Moles can also feed on the periodic cicada , and the population of moles can vary significantly depending upon the time of the cicada life cycle.
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How To Get Rid Of Moles From Your Yard
There are several home remedies that you can use to remove moles from your garden however, most of these are temporary.
There are traps that can help to catch and kill the moles however, this method is inhumane and even considered illegal in several states.
Getting rid of moles without causing harm to them can be tricky.
And you may have to try several different methods and even repeat your efforts to get rid of them successfully.
Here are some methods to get rid of moles:
How To Identify Moles In Your Garden
Moles are surprising little mammals with pointed muzzles, tiny eyes, and bodies shaped like Idaho potatoes. In motion they actually swim along underground, using wide front flippers to part the soil as they go. They prefer moist, loamy soil and are most active in the early morning or evening in the spring or fall they also come out after a warm rain.
Moles have the distinguishing characteristic of a hairless, pointed snout. Their small eyes and ear canals are concealed by fur, and they do not have external ears. They have very large and broad forefeet with webbed toes. Their hind feet or more narrow and have slender claws. They are usually about 7 inches in length and weigh about 4 ounces.
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Using A Physical Barrier
Moles dig very deep into the soil and so putting up a regular fence will not deter them.
However, putting a barrier around the garden or yard can help.
You can make a barrier by digging a 24-30-inch deep trench and line it with a 36-inch aluminum sheet or 1/4th-inch galvanized hardware cloth. Then fill the trench with soil or dirt and leave around 6 inches of the aluminum sheeting or hardware cloth above the soils surface.
Ok So You Put All Of Your Hard Work Into Making Your Lawn Look Like A Golf Course And Then You Wake Up One Day And See Gopher Or Mole Tunnels Running Through The Yard
This is enough to make any homeowner go mad but the good news is there are ways to fight the war against moles and gophers, some natural, and some a little aggressive however we have done the research for you to lay your options for you so you can best decide how to fight and win the war against moles and gophers in your yard, sound good?
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Can Voles Transmit Diseases To People
Voles have been known to carry a variety of diseases like rabies, Hantavirus, and Korean hemorrhagic fever. This makes it especially important to keep a safe distance from them in your yard. Even their feces and urine can carry viruses, so be sure to wear closed-toe shoes and gloves if youre working near their runways.
Trapping Tips And Secrets
Lawn moles and voles are difficult to get rid of. Commonly, when one animal leaves or is caught, another arrives to take its place. Others are more fortunate. After catching one or two, the problem seems to go away. Complete lawn mole extermination may not be possible, especially if other people around you are also experiencing a mole problem. But, it always pays to try.
Importance of Finding the Active Tunnels
The first thing you must do is to find a primary tunnel the animals are actively using. Look for the longer, raised tunnels that may possibly be used to travel from the nest to the feeding grounds, etc. Do not worry too much about the short, windy tunnels. They are most like feeding tunnels and are not used often.
Methods of Locating the Active Tunnels
First method: Use your heel to crush a small section of raised tunnel. It shouldnt be more than a few inches wide. Mark the spot with a landscape flag or by placing a rock in the grass next to the spot you crushed. Do this on different tunnels that look promising spaced no closer than ten feet apart. Do not crush the whole tunnel or it may dig a new one. If it is an active tunnel, the area will be repaired within 12 to 48 hours.
Second method: Carefully make a small hole in the top of the raised tunnel the size of a quarter or slightly larger. Mark the area beside it with a landscape flag. Lawn moles do not like any light coming in and will seal the hole. If it is an inactive tunnel, it will be left alone.
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When To Call A Professional
- You arent sure if youre experiencing a mole problem or if a similar type of critter has invaded your lawn.
- Youve used several DIY methods already, and nothing seems to be working.
- You can tell that there are multiple moles in your yard, so the problem will be too difficult to resolve on your own.
- The mole or moles have already caused extensive damage, so you want to prevent any more from happening.
- At any point, youve felt that your own or your familys safety has been compromised.
There are also certain instances when youre implementing preventative measures where it would be wise to contact a professional rather than attempting to do it on your own. This could include setting up physical barriers that reach the requirements necessary to keep out moles, or working on any landscaping in order to prevent the buildup of moisture in your yard.
How To Get Rid Of Moles And Voles
Find out the difference between moles and voles and learn how to get rid of moles and voles so these burrowing varmints don’t turn your lawn or garden into their playpen.
Mounds of soil, raised tunnels and soft spots in your yard are common signs of moles. In general, only two or three of these solitary animals will inhabit an acre of land.
Shutterstock/Ondrej Prosicky
Mounds of soil, raised tunnels and soft spots in your yard are common signs of moles. In general, only two or three of these solitary animals will inhabit an acre of land.
You’re strolling across your beautiful lawn when you notice something isn’t right. Strange, raised trails zigzag across the grass, and with your next step, your foot sinks into the ground. You may have moles, little animals that live underground and feast on grubs, earthworms and insects. Unless you learn how to get rid of them, they can destroy your well-maintained lawn.
Moles aren’t the only troublesome garden pests. Voles can devour your flower bulbs, munch on the roots of your carrots, potatoes and other root vegetables, damage your trees and shrubs, eat your grass and leave well-worn paths through your yard. Learn how to get rid of of moles and voles before they ruin your landscape.
Be aware of the damage these small and large animals could do to your garden.
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Get Professional Mole Reduction Services From Ryan Lawn & Tree
Not up for finding tunnels and setting traps to get ground moles out of your yard? Thats when you need to pick up the phone and call 855.216.2293. The Pros at Ryan Lawn & Tree spend most of their time making your yard look the best on the block with our lawn fertilization, tree removal, landscaping, irrigation and other lawn care services. So, we are here for you when we need to protect that lawn from ground moles. Well be as anxious as you are to get rid of the critters destroying your lawn. Reach out to one of our five Midwest locations in Kansas City, St. Louis, Wichita, Springfield or Tulsa area offices and well be happy to answer any questions you may have about mole reduction or any of our lawn and tree care services. You can also always use our Ask a Pro feature to ask any questions you may have. We look forward to serving you soon!
Protecting Your Garden From A Mole Invasion
Some individual plants and flowers naturally protect your garden from a mole infestation. A humane and all-natural way to protect your garden from moles is to plant marigolds, alliums, and daffodils in your flower beds.
These plants contain pyrethrins, a natural aroma that makes the soil in your garden undesirable for burrowing critters. Planting these flowers is best to do in the early spring as they require warmer temperatures and a significant amount of water to stay healthy.
Another reason planting these unique plants is a great way to prevent moles from digging tunnels is that the plants are not poisonous to other animals that may visit your yard.
Moles are destructive tunnel-digging creatures that cause significant damage to your yard. Additionally, they often create problems with your pets and destroy large areas of grass.
The raised mounds of dirt and the one-inch openings in your lawn are the first signs that you have a mole infestation.
Luckily, there are several homemade ways to either get rid of or kill the moles underground, like Castor oil, Dawn dish soap, and mothballs.
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Common Signs Of Mole Infestation In The Yard
Moles can be a hassle for homeowners, but knowing the signs of infestation can help.
Above Ground Mole Holes Symmetrical or circular mounds of dirt in the lawn? The risk of having moles in the yard is higher than youve expected. The pests use the holes as an entry or exit point.
Surface tunnels Are there 3-30 inch ridges in the garden? If yes, moles can be the culprit. Used as a passageway to eat grub, surface tunnels can be a nesting place, too.
Damage to Lawn You have worked hard to maintain your garden. From regular trimming to cleaning, you get all these tasks done. A well-maintained yard is aesthetically pleasing until the moles attack. When left untreated for days, the soil begins to lose, and perennial flowers begin to wither.
Location of Holes The location of surface tunnels indicates a mole problem. When there are raised dirt along the paths, fencing, borders, driveway or home foundation, its best to inspect these areas further.
Yard condition Moles love a healthy yard because the worms and grub are plentiful. For a well-maintained garden, homeowners need to have extra attention to detail.
How To Check For Moles
Learning how to get rid of moles involves knowing how to check for them on your property. Moles rarely come to the grounds surface unless its time for them to mate. And while they dont cause a significant amount of damage to large open spaces, moles are problematic to yards because they destroy bulbs, grass, and plant roots.
Checking for moles involves inspecting your yard and along walkways. If you see mounds of soil or ground protrusions near walkways, thats a telltale sign of moles digging. The best way to determine if youre looking at a molehill is its size. Theyre typically small, but can be up to one foot in diameter. Youll also find that the majority of mole damage occurs in moist and shady areas where the ground is abundant with earthworms, grubs, and other insects.
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Like I Mentioned Earlier These These Yard Destroying Varmints Do Not Like Loud Noises
That said.. you could take an old radio you have sitting in the garage and place it in a Ziploc bag and then turn up the noise near the entry and exit points of the mole’s tunnels.
This is a natural way to scare these critters off of your property. I would recommend playing Creed or Nickelback LOL.
Just make sure you dont turn it up too loud or else your neighbors will be upset too and then you got another problem on your hands.
Testing And Treating Active Areas
If you suspect mole crickets at work, a simple soapy-water flush brings them to the surface and confirms your suspicions. If your soil is dry, water it well. Mole crickets stay deeper in dry soil, but moisture brings them higher. Mix 2 tablespoons of liquid dishwashing detergent with 2 gallons of water in a watering can, and drench an area about 2 square feet. As the soap penetrates, mole crickets pop up. Look closely so you don’t miss tiny nymphs. If two to four mole crickets surface in three minutes, your lawn needs help.4,2
For successful control, pesticides must be able to reach mole crickets in their protective, sub-surface tunnels. Ideal treatments also expand your coverage window as nymphs hatch and start to feed. Amdro Quick Kill Lawn Insect Killer , Amdro Quick Kill Outdoor Insect Killer RTS and Amdro Quick Kill Outdoor Insect Killer Concentrate deliver powerful, subsurface-reaching control to conquer these resilient, elusive pests. As an added bonus, the granular formula keeps working in the soil for up to two months, while the liquid ready-to-spray and concentrate forms work up to three months after application, so you can get back to summertime fun.
Whether you’re dealing with destructive mole crickets or other troublesome pests, you don’t have to go it alone. The people who bring you Amdro products and the full line of Amdro pest controls are committed to ending pest disruptions in your life and helping you protect and enjoy your home and lawn.
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Dealing With Moles In The San Francisco Bay Area Were Here To Help
Smiths Pest Management helps residential and commercial properties in Northern California reduce, control, or eliminate their mole problems. Smiths Pest Management also works with parks and large facilities to eradicate moles in an eco-conscious way.
Learn more about our services or book your mole control service by requesting your free consultation today.
