OT: Moles (mammal)

[EngDawg]

In keeping with the grand SPS tradition of sharing lawn care woes, I decided to post mine. It seems that, once again, a mole(s) has decided to take up residence in my yard. Once upon a time, I had one of those mechanical traps, but it was only marginally effective and seemed like a textbook case of treating the symptom but not the disease. Does anybody have any suggestion as to how to prevent or deter moles from taking up shop in my yard to begin with?

 

[DesotoCountyDawg]

Go to Lowe's or Home Depot and buy mole deterrent. It should have Castor oil in it. I've used it before and spread it around in the yard and the moles were gone within a week.

 

[tatedog]

Outdoor cats are great mole deterrents.

 

[TUSK.sixpack]

I second the cat suggestion or, if you don't dig cats (like me), get a Chi Bo... it's a small (trash) dog with lots of personality, smart, and is a friggin' terror on anything smaller than a large squirrel/med sized cat...

 

[Uncle Ruckus]

Buy 7 dozen crickets and empty them in your yard. Have the ultimate mole-cricket battle for territory and see who comes out the victor.

 

[thatsbaseball]

We went to Wal Mart and bought Castor oil (waaay cheaper than at a drug store). We mixed it with liquid dish washing detergent (forgot the ratios) and poured like a cup full to a gallon of water in a pump up sprayer. Then we just sprayed the area two times, a week apart, and the moles went away. You can find the exact mixture on line.

 

[xxxWalkTheDawg]

Dachshund. That's all you need.

I have also had good luck with those stakes that you find at lowes or Home Depot that emit a high pitch frequency. It takes a couple of days for them to get tired of it and leave but they have every time so far.

 

[VillagepeopleDogs]

12 gauge pump. Box of buckshot. Just start shooting the mounds from start to finish. Have to fill up the holes later but you will get him.

 

[OrrDawg]

You have grub worms in your yard. Get rid of the grub worms and the moles will leave.

 

[West Tn Dawg]

I had a major mole problem last year. Tried several of the deterrents with no luck. I bought a trap and had no luck with it either. I bought the fake grub worms and they worked great. Moles gone and didn't come back until this year. I found a new mole hill and immediately placed some of the worms in it. Moles gone by the end of the week.

 

[IBleedMaroonDawg]

Buy 7 dozen crickets and empty them in your yard. Have the ultimate mole-cricket battle for territory and see who comes out the victor.

Ohhh... Battle of the Yard Bastards!

 

[Digging dog]

I've fought em for 4-5 years with grub worm killer (removing food source) Mole max (deterrent) and TomCat worms (poison bait). All the above methods DID NOT work.
Finally broke down and bought 2 traps (scissor type that you step on to load the trap). Caught 1 in 2 days which turned out to be all there was.
Loaned out trap to 2 other people. They both caught moles. My mom currently has the trap now.
IMO only way to get em is to kill em.

 

[Drebin]

Grub worm management is the solution. I had tremendous problems with moles tearing up my yard (front and back). I went and bought the treatment and didn't see a mole for two years. You have to apply the treatment in early spring, and in late summer.

This past year, I only treated my front yard, and whammo, my backyard is torn to hell from moles.

If you are not the type to mix and apply your own treatments, most lawn companies offer that kind of service as well.

 

[bulldogcountry1]

I spent weeks looking into traps, chemicals, repellent, etc, and nothing was simple, cheap, or completely effective.

I ended up quietly going out in the active areas at daylight and waiting with a spade. If you live in a quiet area, you can hear them pushing on the roots in the ground. Once you see them rooting, go to work on them. I once got 3 within 2 minutes. Had them all gone in a few days.

They are active at daylight and sunset, and after a rain. The bonus is that any neighbors that witness this will think you are a psycho and never bother you again.

 

[Miketice]

Ironic. "Diggin Dog" has a solution for moles.

 

[IBleedMaroonDawg]

Mole!

 

[SwampDawg]

Surefire cure (or it worked for me.) I was in the driveway working on my son's car. A mole came running across the yard, across my foot, and met his death from the handle of my screwdriver. Just have to be at the right place at the right time.

 

[EngDawg]

Thanks guys for the suggestions. Unfortunately, circumstances preclude me from having an ouside animal or I would certainly try this.

 

[karlchilders.sixpack]

Juicy Fruit

in small pieces inside their tunnels, so I hear,

THEY say it works....don't know about the bait.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTW1vwzowAM

Digestive system, can't handle the gum.

 

[dawgoneyall]

Sevin

 

[GeneFrenkle]

Spread Triazicide every three months beginning in March. You can get it at Home Depot. The thing is, if your neighbors aren't using deterrent, it'll be that much harder to keep them out. I spread it twice this year and figured that I was good once fall rolled around. Never again. They set in so bad that I may spread four times a year from now on. I hate those mother 17ers