How to eliminate moles?
Introduction
Moles can quickly do a lot of damage to your yard. Maybe you have had the experience of spending a couple hours flatting mole tunnels and re-seeding, only to have it dug up again a couple days later. Moles are digging machines. Just take a look at those paws.
I spent a couple hundred dollars on various solutions, ranging from smoke bombs, magic pellets to traps. But none of these seemed to work. Let me share my experience and what finally worked for me.
Molehills versus feeding runways
First, some background to help you understand the anatomy of a mole infestation. The long lines of bubbled up soil are feeding runways, which are temporary tunnels dug in search of food. Meanwhile, the molehills are the access points to the network of tunnels.
The problem with trying to use traps is that often time the tunnels you see have been abandoned. You set the trap, only to find new tunnels a few days later.
Grubs
Grubs are insect larva, usually various kinds of beetles. They thrive in soil that retains a lot of moisture and live just below the turf of your lawn.
Grubs are often the primary food source for moles! What you may really have going on in your lawn is an insect infestation, to which the hungry moles are drawn.
Grubs also damage the root structure of your grass, making your lawn appear patchy. Grass with a damaged root structure tends to pull out easily or just turns brown.
Reduce the grubs, eliminate the moles
Moles eat a lot of things beyond grubs, such as earthworms. But what makes grubs particularly bad is that they can exist in such high concentrations. Just like humans, moles will take the path of least resistance and settle down in yards where the food is most plentiful.
I had great success in my yard by using Scotts Grub Ex1. The instructions say it lasts for up to 4 months. But in my case, I only need to apply it once each spring when the soil is very wet.
- Prevent turf damage by killing grubs
- Also controls caterpillars, chinchbugs and beetles
- One 14.35 lb. bag of Scotts GrubEx1 Season Long Grub Killer covers 5,000 sq. ft.
Follow the instructions. No need to spead it too thick as it is very concentrated. I recommend using a hand spreader when applying it.
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