Moles

The presence of ridges or small mounds of soil on the surface of lawns or gardens indicate moles are active in the area. Moles establish extensive tunnel systems to find food. They prefer moist soils. Moles mainly eat earthworms and white grubs; they will also eat beetles, spiders, and other insects that venture into their underground tunnels. They seldom feed on plant material. Lawn irrigation systems create a consistently moist, loose soil surface. This results in easy conditions and ample food for moles.

Methods used to minimize mole damage in lawns:

• Watering your lawn enough to keep it healthy, but no more, helps reduce the amount of moisture in the soil making it less attractive to moles
• Gas bombs, poison peanuts, and certain flavors of chewing gum, are not effective.
• Trapping is the most effective control.

The three most common types of traps are harpoon, choker and scissors-jaw.

Harpoon traps are the easiest to use. They do not require disturbing the soil when set up over the runway. The main runways are patrolled by moles in search of worms and grubs. The main runway can be determined by stepping down the raised soil. If the soil ridge is raised the next day, it is an active tunnel. Step down on the raised soil and set the trap over the runway. Move any trap that fails to catch a mole within two days. Inspect traps after a rain. The best time to trap is in early spring when ridges are first noticed. After the first fall rains is another good time to trap. Traps can be purchased from nurseries, hardware, and farm supply stores.

For more information, contact your local Extension Office or the Bell Museum at 612-624-7083.