Moles are the bane of all manicured lawns. Whether it’s the mounds of dirt called “mole hills” or the dead, brown grass created by their many tunnels, everyone has suffered the effects from this pesky nuisance animal.
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Moles are small mammals that spend most of their lives in underground burrows. They are seldom seen by humans but when seen, they are usually mistaken for shrews or meadow mice. Only one species, the Eastern Mole, lives in Missouri. The most conspicuous features of the mole are the greatly enlarged paddlelike front feet and prominent toenails, which enable the mole to literally “swim” through the dirt. Their legs are strong, their neck is short and their head and nose elongated. Moles lack external ears and their eyes are so small that at first glance they appear to be missing.
Moles have high energy requirements. They actively feed day and night at all times of the year. They feed on insects (mature and larvae), snails, spiders, small vertebrates, earthworms, and occasionally they may take small amounts of vegetation. Earthworms and white grubs are their favorite food.
Breeding in late winter or early spring, moles have a gestational period of about five weeks. Litters of two to five young are born in March, April or May. Young moles are born naked and helpless, but growth and development are rapid. About four weeks after birth, they leave the nest and fend for themselves.
Moles in the natural environment cause little damage. They are seldom noticed until their tunneling activity becomes apparent in lawns, gardens, golf courses, pastures or other grassy areas. The upheaved ridges of mole tunnels make lawn mowing difficult. Since the roots are disturbed, grass may turn brown and unsightly. Moles rarely eat flower bulbs, ornamentals or other vegetation while tunneling, but plants may physically be disturbed as moles tunnel in search of insects and grubs in the soil. Mole activity may indirectly damage vegetation, but their feeding on insects and other soil organisms are beneficial.
You can prevent moles from becoming established or can control them once they start digging tunnels by reducing their insect food supply. While this method may take time to become effective, its benefits will persist as long as the insects on which the moles feed are kept at a low level. Be aware that such treatments will likely kill earthworms and may discourage bird life in your yard.
Moles can also be controlled using specially designed traps. Harpoon style traps are available through farm and garden supply stores or hardware stores. Directions for using these special traps are furnished by the manufacturers. To successfully trap a mole, you first have to determine which tunnels are active. One good way to do this is to look for fresh dirt that has been upheaved, or you can simply mash down a section of tunnel and see if it is repaired by the mole. If you find an active tunnel, set the harpoon trap as directed by the manufacturer and check the trap periodically.
A number of chemicals are registered and available for use in mole control. However, they are not always effective. Fumigating gases leak from the surface burrows and toxic baits may not be eaten because of the moles’ preference for eating insects and other soil organisms. For these reasons, pesticides are seldom suggested to control moles.
I have talked to people that have successfully controlled moles by using car exhaust, rigged by a hose to fumigate the runs with carbon monoxide. I have also talked to people that have poured gas on the “mole hills” and burned them, in turn burning up the moles usable oxygen. Another “home remedy” is to use a garden hose to flood the tunnels and burrows.
Whatever method you choose, good luck. Moles are persistent and will continue to dig in your yard in search of bugs and grubs. If your mower blades can stand it, and you can live with the dead grass and dirt mounds, then moles are really not that bad to have around. Your garden plants will actually benefit from them. However, if you are like most people (including me), you probably think that the only good mole is a dead mole.