Extension Connection: Most Effective and Practical Ground Mole Control

Extension Connection
By Marcus McCartney
OSU Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Educator
Meigs County

Most Effective and Practical Ground Mole Control

Now that the snow has melted and the grass is starting to green up, ground moles are once again becoming very active near the surface; creating noticeable mounds and tunnel lanes in your prized lawn or property. We have already received multiple calls to the office for recommendations on the best way to get rid of these undesirable pests. The most effective and practical way to control moles is to trap them. The increase mole activity near the surface during late winter and spring makes it the ideal time to control moles by trapping. If you don’t want to do this yourself, you could always get in touch with a pest control company like terminix kentucky (or one closer to where you live), as they’d be able to offer you the solution to finally getting rid of the moles in your garden.

There are six species of moles in North America, and three of these are active in Ohio: the Eastern Mole, the Hairy-tailed Mole, and the Star-nosed Mole. The Eastern Mole (Scalopus aquaticus) is most common in Ohio. Moles are about the size of chipmunks (6-8 inches in length) and weigh three to six ounces. Each year a mole can have one litter of two to six young and the gestation period is about five to six weeks; which means that you can expect litters anywhere from mid-April through May.

There are many rumors and home remedies for controlling moles; however most of them are ineffective. A common example is when homeowners try to control lawn grubs and insects to reduce mole activity. This is often unsuccessful because the mole’s primary food source is earthworms. Other home remedy strategies that are unproven and/or ineffective are: Castor Oil, pickle juice, broken glass, red pepper, razor blades, bleach, moth balls, rose branches, human hair balls, vibrators, ultrasonic devices, and explosives .

Ground mole movement is affected by climate and ground moisture as well as changes in food supply as different insects becomes available in different places and at different times throughout the year. If disturbed, moles may temporarily leave an area but will usually return. Even without disturbance mole activity may last only a week or two in a particular area. This “here-today and gone tomorrow” behavior is probably the reason some home remedies and pesticides appear credible.

Again, trapping is the most effective and practical method for controlling ground moles. Trapping success is greatest in the spring and fall as compared to summer and winter when moles are active in deep soil and more difficult to locate. There are three types of effective mole traps: harpoon, scissor-jaw, and choker loop. Important note: to guarantee safe and humane deployment, be sure to follow the printed instructions. Mole traps need to be set in active surface tunnels. Active tunnels can be located by stepping down the burrow, marking the location, and checking to see if the tunnel reopens within 24 to 48 hours. Permanent or main runways will be the most productive trap locations since these tunnels may be used several times daily. To identify main runways, look for constantly reopened tunnels that follow a generally straight line or that appear to connect two mounds. Main runways often will follow fencerows, walkways, foundations, or other manmade borders. Zigzagging tunnels in the lawn are “probes” that are quickly constructed by moles and may not be reused. Setting traps in these probe tunnels may not be productive.

Interesting mole facts:
• A 5 ounce mole can consume 45-50 lbs of worms and insects each year.
• Moles can dig surface tunnels at approximately 18 feet/hour.
• Moles travel through existing tunnels at about 80 feet/minute.
• Moles contain twice as much blood and hemoglobin as other mammals of similar size to allow them to breathe more easily underground in surroundings with low oxygen.

Upcoming Event
*Fertilizer Applicator Certification Training: for applicators who have a pesticide license.
March 23rd, 6:00-8:00 pm, Meigs County Extension Office.
Registration for the training is required. Please register before noon on March 23rd.
For more information on the fertilizer applicator certification and training, please contact Meigs County OSU Extension by phone at 740-992-6696 or email Marcus McCartney at [email protected]. Also information about the training can be found on our website (http://meigs.osu.edu/) and Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/pages/OSU-Extension-Meigs-County/122461244485685).

Announcement
**Don’t forget, Meigs County OSU Extension offers a soil sampling service to the community. We now have two soil sample probes/augers to lend out to the public. Please call the office at 740-992-6696 or email Debbie Watson ([email protected]) or Marcus McCartney ([email protected]) for more information.