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Georgia Gardener

How do You Know if You Have Moles in the Yard?

17 years ago

The title says it all.

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Comments (9)

eddie1
17 years ago
If you have moles you will see their tunnels breaking the surface. If you are experiencing any plant damage it may be because voles are using the mole tunnels. Moles are insectivores and do NOT eat plants. Voles. on the other hand, will eat roots, bark, bulbs and such and wreak havoc in the garden.
baluscreek
17 years ago
If you have spend an hour stomping the tunnels back down, that is a sure giveaway.

There are several methods to get rid of them. Poison, traps, or the most recommended, get rid of the grubs and the moles will go away.

I have used the vibrating poles with some effectiveness, but my dog likes to pull them up and chew on them.
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The sonic mole chasers don't work, in my experience. I did have some success with the spring-loaded traps, but it takes a bit of patience and persistence to use. Treating the area for grubs may help send them next door to the neighbors. I don't usually use pesticides, but I did treat part of the lawn due a nasty chinch bug infestation this year, and the mole activity this fall seems confined to the untreated areas. Some people have reported success with snap traps placed under a bucket or box near an entrance hole, but I'm not sure if this works for moles as well as voles.
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What else... Rainfall. How much over the whole of the year, and when in the year. How much mist? How high are you above sea level? Does your property face the sun (South, for you) or are you shaded by hills, buildings, whatever, and don't see the sun until later in the day? Does the frost take it's time about melting, even when it's sunny? When is your first/last frost of significance (the one that terminates the tomatoes or mushies the young bean plants)? Is your soil acid, or alkaline or neutral? 6,5,4 is tending acid. 8,9 is tending alkaline. 6.5-7.5 is around the neutral range. You can buy a home test kit from your garden centre or farmers' supply depot. With maples and cherries, I'd guess at moderately acid - especially if you have pines and native rhododendrons in your woods/bush. How deep is the topsoil, and does it dry out over the summer? Do you have boggy patches in the woods, or is it mostly well-drained after the heavy rains? How dense are the roots in the area where you might want to have planting pockets for treasures? And what sort of shade??? Do the trees cast shadows sprinkled with patches of light on a sunny day? (Dappled light.) Or does it look as gloomy as a winter day when you go in on a summer's day? (Dense shade) Dry shade is the sort of thing you get on the north side of the house under the eaves. Rarely gets natural moisture. A useful zone for drying out bulbs over summer, but can be a gardening challenge. Hope that's helped a bit.
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eddie1
17 years ago
I don't have any moles in my yard but wish I did as they are a part of wildlife and do no harm that I know of unless they might be aerating someones lawn unwantedly.
How does one get rid of grubs, poison them?
Iris GW
17 years ago
Well, apparently applying milky spore is one way to treat grubs.

Here is a link that might be useful: Milky Spore
rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
17 years ago
I agree with eddie1. Moles, in moderation, should not pose a problem for anyone. They enter our properties to seek food (insect larvae and earthworms, etc.) and when they find a nice supply, they may stay for awhile.

Trapping is considered the most effective, as well as most environmentally responsible method of killing moles.
Bumblebeez SC Zone 7
17 years ago
They do make unslightly tunnels in the grass however. My dog, a jack russell, has actually caught several moles. The only thing she gets other than lizards.
sugarhill
Original Author
17 years ago
If I have moles, they are not in a part of the lawn that is particulary visible, so that doesn't worry me. I'm not too thrilled to have something eating earthworms. What about grubs? Are they something I do or don't want in my yard? If they're beneficial, the moles need to move on. If they are pests, then maybe I don't care if the moles stay in part of my yard.
One other question, what are moles in moderation? I'm assuming that means at a level I can tolerate. I'm not too happy about how squishy the tunnels make the yard. I hate stepping on terra and finding out it's not firma.
rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
17 years ago
Grubs (in the lawn) are the icky and damaging larvae of beetles. A large population can result in serious problems with your lawn. Moles just happen to LOVE grubs!

Put on your stomping shoes and keep the tunnels packed down. That way, you can keep an eye out on any new activity. Plus, you don't want your grass's roots to be left high and dry in those tunnels.

I have a high tolerance for moles but many people don't. But I don't worship my lawn, either, lol.

Attached is an image of a couple typical beetle grubs. If you live in a part of the country plagued by Japanese Beetles, you have 'em. Other pesty grubs would be from any of the other chafer beetles like the May or June beetle. Typically, at this time of year, grubs are overwintering several inches into the soil, but will come up to feed on grass roots in the spring.

Here is a link that might be useful:
baluscreek
17 years ago
If any of you mole lovers need a few more, come on over and take mine. I am looking to deport some.

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