by Derrick |
Last Updated: September 3, 2022 Moles can be a real nuisance. Not only are they unsightly, but they can also damage your lawn. If you’re looking for a way to get rid of moles, consider some of these options. Here are five of the most effective ones.
Considerations Before Moving Forward
Before moving forward with any mole removal procedure, it is important to take into account several factors. First and foremost, you need to review the following list of considerations and find the methods that work best with your beliefs, comfort level, and situation.
Before moving forward with any mole removal procedure, it is important to take into account several factors. First and foremost, you need to review the following list of considerations and find the methods that work best with your beliefs, comfort level, and situation.
Humane Methods
Methods that are more humane tend to be safer and have fewer risks associated with them. If you are looking for a more compassionate way to get rid of moles, find methods that are more harassing the moles, so they vacate your property or use less lethal methods such as catch, re-locate and release.
Less Humane Methods
Less humane methods include lethal traps and poisons. These methods do have the potential to pose a danger to other animals and children if they come into contact with the poison or trap. So take that into consideration.
Ease of Use
People have different skill levels, and some mole removal methods are easier to use than others. If you are not confident in your ability to set a trap or use poison, find a method that works best with your skill set.
Cost
Some methods are completely free, while traps, baits, and poisons can be costly. Determine what you are willing to spend on mole removal before choosing a method.
Time
Time can be another consideration; if you are like me and are crunched for time due to work or family commitments, then maybe hiring a professional to do the job for you is worth considering.
Getting Rid Of Moles – The Methods
1. Trapping
One of the most common methods used to kill moles is trapping. There are a number of different traps available on the market, but the most effective ones are usually the most expensive.
If you’re on a budget, you can try making your own trap out of a bucket and some wire mesh. The key to this method is to bait the trap with food that moles like to eat, such as earthworms or grubs. Be sure to check your trap regularly.
You can also buy specially made mole traps from your local hardware store. These often have a spring-loaded mechanism that will go underground and snap closed when triggered, usually killing the mole instantly.
What about live trapping? Live trapping is just as it sounds – you trap the mole alive and then release it elsewhere. This is a good option if you’re opposed to killing animals or if you have an area where you are able to release the mole without it coming back.
2. Flooding The Mole’s Tunnels
Flooding the mole’s tunnels is usually what is known as “harassment/intimidation” in the pest control industry, with the hope of getting the animal to leave on its own.
Moles generally travel in a network of tunnels underground, they often have distinctive cone-shaped mounds of earth that they push up as they travel and pop up above ground.
If you can find an area where these mounds are present, you can try and use a garden hose to flood the tunnels with water. The pressure from the water could collapse the tunnel and may help annoy the mole enough that they move on to somewhere where they are not getting disturbed.
3. Poison Baits
Personally, I try not to use poison for pest control when I don’t have to. It can leech into the ground, kill other unintended insects and animals, and is fairly expensive compared to reusable methods such as traps and deterrents.
Most hardware stores will sell a number of different poison baits that are designed to kill moles specifically. These work by the mole eating the bait, which is usually some kind of ground worms or grub mixed with a sawdust pellet; when eaten, the pellet expands inside the mole’s stomach, causing it to rupture and die.
Once the mole has eaten the bait, it will die within 24 hours. Be sure to dispose of its body properly afterward so that other animals don’t become ill.
4. Using Sonic Waves
There are a number of commercial products on the market that use sonic waves to repel moles. These products emit a high-frequency sound that is undetectable by humans but extremely irritating to moles. While they won’t necessarily kill the moles, they will encourage them to leave your property in search of quieter digs. This too falls under the harassment category of pest deterrence.
5. Smoke Cartridges and Fumigants
Smoke cartridges and fumigants are two other options for getting rid of moles. These methods work by pumping smoke or gas into the mole’s tunnels, which will either kill them, disorient them or harass them enough that they will leave and move on to somewhere else.
This method can be great for those individuals who want a less lethal way of controlling moles and other burrowing animals.
6. Use of Dogs or Other Animals
Another method that can be used to get rid of moles is to bring in other animals that will dig them up for you. This can be done with dogs, but it’s important to make sure you don’t use this method in combination with placing poison baits, as you don’t want your dog to get sick.
Cats, on the other hand, won’t dig for the moles, but they will hunt and kill them. If you have a cat that spends time outside, this could be a good option for you. This is why you often see cats roaming around farms to help keep rodents and other critters at bay.
7. Hire A Pest Control Professional
If you have tried all of the methods above and you’re still having issues, you can always hire a professional pest control company to help you get rid of the moles.
Pest control professionals will have a number of different methods and products at their disposal to help you get rid of your mole problem for good.
They also have a lot more experience at mole control than the average person, so they will likely be able to get rid of them quicker and with less hassle.
Hiring a professional generally will cost more than doing it yourself, but it may be worth it if you’re struggling to get rid of the moles.
8. Marshmallows
Yes, believe it or not, you can use marshmallows to get rid of moles. This method is often used by farmers who don’t want to use any kind of poison or traps. They simply place marshmallows into the mole’s tunnel and wait for the animal to eat them. Once eaten, the marshmallows will expand in the mole’s stomach and ultimately kill it, similar to how the poison baits/pellets work.
While this method may seem a bit inhumane, it is actually a lot less cruel than many of the other methods.
Wrapping Up
In summary, there are a number of different ways to get rid of moles without resorting to toxic chemicals. Some methods, like trapping and flooding their tunnels, require a little bit of work, but others, like using sonic waves or poisoned bait, are relatively simple. Whichever method you choose, be sure to follow all directions carefully in order to ensure maximum effectiveness and safety.