Sam Robbins has been spending more and more time in his beautiful garden, admiring the incredible work of his landscape professional and the newly decorated patio. Then one morning, she was out watering the large potted flower creations in her yard when she noticed unusual development all over her lawn. The lawn care specialist had just cut the lawn the day before with a huge push mower, so Sam instantly suspected that he had damaged his lawn. He saw random lines throughout his garden, sometimes crossing, sometimes disappearing under flower beds and fences. Those lines were eruptions where the grass had been dug up and the turf had separated from the ground beneath it. There were also random holes that hadn’t been there before.
Sam’s beautiful lawn and garden had been damaged to the point that they were unsightly and maybe even the disturbed lawn could die. Sam was upset but determined to find out what caused the eruptions. He walked stomping the grass down so everything was level and he filled in the holes he could find all over his lawn and in his flower garden. Then he called his lawn care expert.
Sam, you have moles! They can be eradicated. Let me tell you how:
USING THE MOLE BAIT:
The best bait mimics the mole’s main food source, worms and larvae. The worm-like bodies contain a lethal dose of bromethalin that is immediately attractive and palatable to the mole due to its high energy demands. Bait the track systems created by the burrowing rodent by carefully removing the dirt where the tracks intersect. Drop the bait into the hole created and loosely retrieve it with dirt. You can run a test to verify that the mole is still in residence and the tracks are still active by placing the bait on a test site first. If the bait is taken within 24 hours, the full bait treatment can be implemented. This bait works quickly, in approximately twenty-four hours.
USE MOLE TRAP;
Capture is most successful in spring and fall as tunnels are deeper in summer and winter. Since breeding generally occurs between February and June, trapping from late April to May could trap a pregnant female, thus eliminating multiple rodents from the population. There are several pitfalls on the market, so read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. The best trap will have a colored top that can be pressed with one foot, once placed on the track, and that will pop open when the trap is set and the mole is captured.
USE LIQUID REPELLENTS;
Many feel that liquid repellants are the best remedy for lawns and gardens traversed by numerous tracks made by what appear to be multiple moles. By following the manufacturer’s instructions, it is possible to eradicate the entire population in backyards, front yards, side yards, and gardens in just one or two applications. This can be done by a professional or the homeowner, using a common garden sprayer.
