Mole Removal and Control
Moles are usually classified as a pest species due to their tunneling habit. The most common complaints include the following:
- "Ridges" from tunnels all over yard
- Large mole hill piles of dirt
- Ground feels spongey & looks unsightly
- General lawn & landscape destruction
For these reasons, many people wish to have this nuisance animal removed from the property. This is usually accomplished with lethal traps - there are no known effective live mole traps.
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MOLE BIOLOGY:
The Eastern Mole (Scalopus aquaticus) is small, weighing only about 3 oz. and is about 6 inches long. They live for about 2-3 years. They breed in January, and after a 45 day pregnancy, give birth to 2-4 young.
The Townsend's Mole (Scapanus townsendii) is larger, at about 5 oz. and 8 inches long. Breeding is similar to other moles. The Star-Nosed Mole (Condylura cristata) is yet another potentially
destructive mole species.
MOLE BEHAVIOR: All moles are subterranian - they live under ground - and dig a network of tunnels and chambers. They create surface tunnels and dirt mounds under the chamber areas. Most moles are territorial, so
there might just be one in your yard. They primarily eat earthworms, and also other underground larvae and insects.
NUISANCE CONCERNS:
It all has to do with the digging. Many people simply don't like the destruction to their lawn and landscaping. A single mole can turn a nice manicured lawn into a mess of tunnels and dirt piles.
MOLE DISEASES: No important zoonotic diseases associated with moles.
HOW DO I GET RID OF MOLES?
Lethal trapping and removal is the one and only way. Although several companies have tried to create mole poisons, none seem to work well. A product called Talpirid seemed to have promise, but my experience with it
wasn't that good. By and large, only trapping will do the trick. Types of mole traps include spear traps, scissor traps, and body clamp traps. These traps are not for amateurs to set. Mole trapping is a subtle art.
The traps have to be set jussst riiiight or else they won't work. They have to be set on the active tunnels that the mole is using, not the one-time feeder tunnels. Mole trapping requires experience.
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