With America’s increasingly urban lifestyle numerous people are conflicting with wildlife on a daily bases. One of the most annoying creatures to home owners is the mole because of its habit of rotor-tilling what were nice and well manicured lawns and also because it allows other plant eating rodents a means of travel. The common solutions to the problem such as chemicals and baits fail to accomplish the job and leave the mole as free as ever and the home owner disappointed. Don’t fall into the same mistake or if you have, discover the true way to conduct mole control.
Do It Yourself Mole Removal
Some may say that the only way to solve a mole problem is to hire out to some certified pest control company, but this simply isn’t true. Although it is a possible solution, many homeowners may find it easier to spend a little time on learning the tricks of mole control and in the process avoid breaking budget.
Mole Identification
Essential to every home owner’s mole control toolkit is the ability to identify a mole when it appears, and know the differences between its habits and other similar creatures. A mole produces 1-1/2 foot wide mounds which are dome in shape and completely circular. This is in contrast to the U shaped mounds of the pocket gopher and the lack of mounds with the vole. When you see hills several feet apart with ridge tunnels as well, you most likely have a mole in your lawn.
There are a few different ways to determine how many moles you are dealing with. Per a 1 acre area you may have 1-3 moles depending on the amount of mounds and the damage done on any given day. In order to be certain, a home owner can flatten or remove all mole evidence in a day, and then look to see what is newly created within 24 hours. If there are multiple distinct different areas of activity, it is probable that he has as many moles as there are distinct areas.
Mole Control Techniques
Plenty of local hardware or farm stores will offer a variety of methods for mole control ranging from car exhaust gassing systems to worm like bait; however, if a home owner is truly interested in solving his mole problem, the only reliable method is trapping, and not only trapping, but trapping with the correct traps.
“Trapping is the only effective method of control” (Tom Schmidt, an experienced mole trapper)
“The best bets for mole removal are mole traps” (David Beaulieu, About.com)
“Mole trapping is the most reliable method of mole control” (doyourownpestcontrol.com)
For mole trapping to be most effective it must be conducted during early spring and late fall, although moles can be trapped at almost anytime of year. Early spring is best because you may trap pregnant females and thus keep down that years population.
Mole trapping works for the very reason that it is a war of attrition. You effectively exterminate the moles instead of just putting off the problem as some other common solutions do.
Locating the Correct Tunnels to Trap
So, home owner Bob decides that in order to solve his mole problem he has to trap, but he doesn’t have the slightest clue on where to place his newly purchased mechanism of doom. Most box instructions are basic and hard to follow leaving Bob without means of operating his trap.
For mole trapping to work, the traps must be set along frequently traveled highways and/or in active feeding areas. Look for the following when deciding on where to set your trap(s)
Long tunnels connecting two distinct land marks together. For example, a tunnel reaching from one side of the lawn to the other.
Tunnels running along forested edges and natural obstacles such as bricks around a flower bed.
Deep (1-1/2 foot) tunnels in hard clay in areas where it may be likely for a mole to set up permanent shop. If discovered, these veritable freeways of mole traffic will prove to be incredibly effective places to locate your trap(s).
After finding similar information, Bob now knows where to set his trap and he catches his first mole within a couple days. Good work Bob!
A Trap for Every Purpose
In our last section home owner Bob ends up solving his mole problem by trapping with a fairly reputable trap, but not every homeowner ends up purchasing a trap that works and many will often discount trapping as not working because they were unable to be successful. In order to escape this danger, a home owner should choose one of the following traps according to their related purpose.
Victor Out-O-Sight Trap: The purpose of this trap is catch moles along both surface and deeper two way tunnels. Set in the correct manner with a “speed bump” under the trigger pan this trap will produce years of mole free lawn. Its only limitation is that it can’t trap from more than two directions and that it is somewhat difficult to set because of the powerful spring.
Cinch Mole Trap: Commonly sold at farm supply stores, this trap isn’t the best as far as success rate, but it does give you the ability to create sets with virtually unlimited directions. So, if you’ve found a large crossroads area that you would like to trap, this trap is likely to be your best bet. As a tip, I’ve used this trap for several years and it only works well on those deeper tunnels in harder soils.
Victor Spear Trap: If you’ve got mole(s) creating a large proportion of their damage as surface tunnels, you are most likely to be effective with this easy to set and inventive trap. Just press down a portion of the tunnel under the trigger pan and wait for the mole to clear the wreckage. When he does, you will have him cold.
EasySet Trap: Another option when dealing with surface tunnel problems which may be a good idea if you have pets or young children. More expensive than other traps, the EasySet may only be a good idea when dealing with one mole.
Hiring a Mole Control Company
Now the homeowner is empowered to succeed and solve his mole problems similar to the example of Bob, but what if a homeowner doesn’t want to take the time and trouble to solve the problem himself? What are his options then?
What to Look for in a Mole Control Company/Pro
When looking to hire a mole control company the home owner needs to retain in mind that his time is money and in order for a mole control company to be of benefit his time must not be wasted.
A mole control company/pro needs to:
Be Honest
Have good customer service
Base their prices on your specific situation
Have a good standing amongst their past customers
You can read more about hiring a pest control company in our article here.
Follow and expand upon the principles laid out in this article and you will be well on your way to solving your mole control situation.
You can discuss the article below in the comments section or share it through a variety of different sites. You can also sign up to our newsletter below. Don’t forget to check our Pest Control Directory for companies in your area.
Do It Yourself Mole Removal
Some may say that the only way to solve a mole problem is to hire out to some certified pest control company, but this simply isn’t true. Although it is a possible solution, many homeowners may find it easier to spend a little time on learning the tricks of mole control and in the process avoid breaking budget.
Mole Identification
Essential to every home owner’s mole control toolkit is the ability to identify a mole when it appears, and know the differences between its habits and other similar creatures. A mole produces 1-1/2 foot wide mounds which are dome in shape and completely circular. This is in contrast to the U shaped mounds of the pocket gopher and the lack of mounds with the vole. When you see hills several feet apart with ridge tunnels as well, you most likely have a mole in your lawn.
There are a few different ways to determine how many moles you are dealing with. Per a 1 acre area you may have 1-3 moles depending on the amount of mounds and the damage done on any given day. In order to be certain, a home owner can flatten or remove all mole evidence in a day, and then look to see what is newly created within 24 hours. If there are multiple distinct different areas of activity, it is probable that he has as many moles as there are distinct areas.
Mole Control Techniques
Plenty of local hardware or farm stores will offer a variety of methods for mole control ranging from car exhaust gassing systems to worm like bait; however, if a home owner is truly interested in solving his mole problem, the only reliable method is trapping, and not only trapping, but trapping with the correct traps.
“Trapping is the only effective method of control” (Tom Schmidt, an experienced mole trapper)
“The best bets for mole removal are mole traps” (David Beaulieu, About.com)
“Mole trapping is the most reliable method of mole control” (doyourownpestcontrol.com)
For mole trapping to be most effective it must be conducted during early spring and late fall, although moles can be trapped at almost anytime of year. Early spring is best because you may trap pregnant females and thus keep down that years population.
Mole trapping works for the very reason that it is a war of attrition. You effectively exterminate the moles instead of just putting off the problem as some other common solutions do.
Locating the Correct Tunnels to Trap
So, home owner Bob decides that in order to solve his mole problem he has to trap, but he doesn’t have the slightest clue on where to place his newly purchased mechanism of doom. Most box instructions are basic and hard to follow leaving Bob without means of operating his trap.
For mole trapping to work, the traps must be set along frequently traveled highways and/or in active feeding areas. Look for the following when deciding on where to set your trap(s)
After finding similar information, Bob now knows where to set his trap and he catches his first mole within a couple days. Good work Bob!
A Trap for Every Purpose
In our last section home owner Bob ends up solving his mole problem by trapping with a fairly reputable trap, but not every homeowner ends up purchasing a trap that works and many will often discount trapping as not working because they were unable to be successful. In order to escape this danger, a home owner should choose one of the following traps according to their related purpose.
Hiring a Mole Control Company
Now the homeowner is empowered to succeed and solve his mole problems similar to the example of Bob, but what if a homeowner doesn’t want to take the time and trouble to solve the problem himself? What are his options then?
What to Look for in a Mole Control Company/Pro
When looking to hire a mole control company the home owner needs to retain in mind that his time is money and in order for a mole control company to be of benefit his time must not be wasted.
A mole control company/pro needs to:
You can read more about hiring a pest control company in our article here.
Follow and expand upon the principles laid out in this article and you will be well on your way to solving your mole control situation.
You can discuss the article below in the comments section or share it through a variety of different sites. You can also sign up to our newsletter below. Don’t forget to check our Pest Control Directory for companies in your area.