Here's a Basic Look at What Pesky Yard Moles Are and How They Damage Your Lawn 'n Garden

There are six species of moles in North America, and three of these may occur in your yard (Eastern Mole, Hairy-tailed Mole, and Star-nosed Mole). One, the Eastern Mole (Scalopus aquaticus), is most common in Ohio. Moles are about the size of chipmunks (6-8 inches in length) and can weigh three to six ounces. Each year a mole can have one litter of two to six young, depending on the health of the female. Gestation lasts about five to six weeks, which means that you can expect litters anywhere from mid-April through May. Young moles have less than a 50% chance of surviving long enough to reproduce.

Moles are insectivores, not rodents. They eat insects, grubs, worms and such and they may control some insect outbreaks. However, mole activity can also cause considerable damage to lawns, gardens and pastureland. This damage is usually in the form of tunnels and/or mounds that can be unsightly, disturb root systems, and provide cover or travel lanes for other small mammals.

Urban Myths

If you're like most homeowners, you're probably confused by all of the conflicting advice on mole control. You may believe that every rumor, home remedy, or control method is worth trying. A common example is when homeowners try to control lawn grubs and insects to reduce mole activity. However, this is often unsuccessful because the mole’s primary food source is earthworms. In fact, many chemicals and home remedies (including castor oil derivatives and grub controls) are not only ineffective when dealing with moles, but they allow the animals time to establish and become real problems.

Numerous home remedies have been used to get rid of moles, but results are inconsistent and generally ineffective. Remedies such as pickle juice, broken glass, red pepper, razor blades, bleach, moth balls, rose branches, human hair balls, vibrators, ultrasonic devices, castor bean derivatives (castor oil), and explosives may relieve frustrations, but they have little value in controlling moles and may harm you or the environment. Furthermore, certain chemicals or explosives are illegal to use... and are downright dangerous!

They Spread Quickly and Can Do Much Damage

Moles can quickly colonize and spread through adjacent properties if not handled properly. Because they need a well-established tunnel network to survive, control will be more difficult the longer they are allowed to tunnel and become habituated.

On large properties mole activity may move from one part of the lawn to another. This movement is affected by climate and ground moisture. Moles will respond to changes in food supply as different insects become available in different places and at different times throughout the year. If disturbed, moles may temporarily leave an area but will usually return when you least expect it. Even without disturbance mole activity may last only a week or two in a particular area. This here-today, gone-tomorrow behavior is probably the root of most of the misconceptions that make some home remedies and pesticides appear credible.

Moles are easily identified by their large paddle like front feet utilized for digging extensive tunnel systems. Moles have strong legs, short necks and elongated heads. They lack external ears, and their eyes are so small that at first glance, they appear to be missing.

A mole's fur is soft and brownish to grayish with silver highlights. When brushed, the fur offers no resistance in either direction, enabling the mole to travel either backward or forward with burrows.

Ground moles prefer moist, sandy loam soils in lawns, gardens, pastures and woodlands. They generally avoid heavy, dry clay soils. They construct extensive underground passageways - shallow surface tunnels for spring, summer and fall; deep, permanent tunnels for winter use. Nest cavities are located underground, connecting with the deep tunnels.

Habitat Modification

Over-watering your lawn can bring soil invertebrates and moles closer to the ground surface, making tunnels more visible. Reducing the amount or frequency of watering may help temporarily. Reducing the amount of turfgrass on your property will also reduce the visible signs of damage.

Quick Mole Facts:

• A 5 ounce mole will consume 45-50 pounds of worms and insects each year.
• Moles can dig surface tunnels at approximately 18 feet per hour.
• Moles travel through existing tunnels at about 80 feet per minute.
• Moles contain twice as much blood and twice as much hemoglobin as other mammals of similar size. This allows moles to breathe more easily in underground environments with low oxygen.

Now you know what those little critters can do. And why they're a problem.

Grandpa's Ultimate Mole Attack Survival Guide helps you get rid of the pesky varmints... just like landscapers, farmers, ranchers, pro-greenskeepers and I do... kill 'em dead!

So take action now and get back your yard, garden or pasture. It's truly easier than you think. Best of all, you'll be much, much happier.

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