Mole murdering

There is a very good reason the highest paid and most respected 'craft' in olden times was molecatcher.

Here's my take on it;

1. Traps
2. Talpirid aka Tomcat
3. Giant Destroyer
4. Rodenator
5. Propane
6. Lawnmower exhaust

Each of the above have the potential to work, but each comes with problems and risks. Then of course, a mole may just move in again next spring. A mole has a large territory and is solitary. Unless they are breeding or a female is raising pups - there is only one. They mostly eat worms. They do not eat plants. They will abandon a set of tunnels when the area is sparse in worms, so 3-4 of the above approaches require close observation for present activity. numbers 5 and 6(which is my own, as yet untesed, idea) have the risk that gasses could collect in basements or the drainage/sewer system. Number 4 is very - uh - dramatic and maybe not sutable for urban settinsg (see the videos at the website). Good luck. I just gave mine a name and consider it an invisible pet.

the other stuff, repellents, windmills, sonic chasers,etc. are probably worthless.

ymmv

Carl

Well, looks like you really have problems. I had them to but thi worked:

-- Lukaslo

Thanks for the advice, that's really useful. If they are solitary the I will try and give (1) a go. If my luck's in then I'll get him otherwise I might have to think about naming him like you have!

In the longer run I think I might invest in a fence with a concret base once I'm sure they have left my side of the boundary..

-- moleyguy

I have used poison bait, gas grenades and two kinds of mole traps - I have not tried the lawn spray that kills insects and worms to get rid of moles.

My father's old spring-loaded vertical trap worked best - a new one was kind of weak - because it couldn't drive itself into the soil, I had to make holes for the prongs and then retract and set it.

Gas grenades just annoyed them/it.

They/it stuck up their noses at the bait pellets - although once I got the mole mid-summer; next year, part way into the year, there was a little activity near the bait drop spot, and then nothing for the rest of the year - leading me to believe the new tenant ate last year's bait pellets.

fwiw

Juicy fruit gum and broken glass.

Weird

Bill

Traps are really the most effective. You can get them at Home Depot for about $9.00 each. Get the heavy duty metal ones that close like a scissors when sprung. Find a runway between two mounds. Bury the trap in the mole runway, make the jaws level with the bottom of the runway so when the mole is running down the tunnel he'll run into the jaws of the trap. Mound dirt and grass around the top of the trap so as little light as possible gets in. Then cover the trap with a plastic plant pot, the 8 to 10 inch size works well. Then sit back and watch the traps do the work for you.

The other thing to consider is getting rid of whatever the moles are being attracted to in your lawn. They usually like to eat grubs and other bugs.

And, finally I have found that the moles in my neck of the woods don't care too much for lawn feritilizer. You might try keeping your lawn fertilized and see if that works.

You could try the all-natural approach, and get a cat. Preferably a barn cat who knows to kill them before dragging them indoors, unlike my mole-murdering housecat.

Hi we have had good success with a product we sell on our web sit www.everythingforthegarden it is a sonic product called Solar Mola that puts pulses into the soil that the moles do not like and thi keeps them away. I know it does not kill them but with the killin method you are only buying time as more Moles will invade as they ar constantly looking for new territory. We have sold many of them and no complaint so why not try this firs remember is is solar so no power is needed. Regards Charles

-- Charles White

The plunger trap is best but learn how to use it. Put the trap in place and work the points up and down a few times to make holes in the soil and then set it. Mesh the runs down and select the run they open up first, it will be the main run. Put a shovel under the trap and lift it out because you may just have a prong thru its skin.

From Mel & Donnie in Bluebird Valley

We had some of these for our yard (not the same brand, but a vibrating/sonic thingie we got at Costco) and they didn't work worth a darn.. We had gophers that would dig holes right next to it as-if to laugh at me.. We ended up using the trap called a "Black Hole".. It works great and did them in 95% of the time on the first try (assuming you place the traps properly).. I've only had one gopher that was a bit too smart and it took 3-4 tries to get him, but we had 6-7 gophers that kept eating everything and digging holes all over our garden and lawn.. I got tired of falling into holes and tripping and used the black hole after nothing else worked..

If you feel like giving this critter a sporting chance, you might try using various weeder devices like prongs or weed twisters. Here you have to hunt and jab the poor creature, but at least you wont pollute your neighborhood with chemicals. If he gets away from you, maybe he deserves to live?

The ultimate soluti> > >

I've ready 6-8' (yes -- FEET).. That would be some mighty expensive hole digging if you ask me!

Wouldn't guarantee freedom from moles anyway - they can move across the top of the soil (though reluctantly it seems).

Carl

We have found that they like straight lines. So a naturalized planting may be more difficult for the moles. However I always thought it was the voles that used the mole tunnels that damaged the larger scrubs and young trees. I wrap my "special plants " with gutter guards. Six inch fencing buried 5 inches. I've a lot of metal in my garden ;)) This is not perfect but seems to help.

Bill in Mole/Vole turf.

Ps The moles are looking for worms and grubs. My garden is loaded with worms and grubs due to lots of organic matter. Win some loose some.

Perhaps another approach may be to guard your flowerbed with an underground layer of thick wire screens perhaps with 1/2" squares. To do this you will have to initially dig out your critical area about one foot deep and lay the wire screen across the bottom and around the sides making a complete box under ground.

Of course, some moles may be able to chomp through this wire, but thicker wires are also available.

Has anyone tried something like this?

In my limited experience of killing moles I have found that traps ar

the way to go. A few years back I had a mole problem of my own an after tying all kinds of vibration alerts and even cat scent found tha the trap worked superbly

-- BlueWorld

When i plant tulips in the Fall now, i put them in clear plastic pots with small drainage holes in it and bury the pot in the ground with about an inch of the pot sticking out above the ground.Haven`t lost any more tulips to moles with this method.I have tried everything to get rid of the moles including my cat who was a good catcher for a few years, but i think she is retired from hunting now.I will try that Blackhole trap soon.Rick

Moles are not interested in vegetation. They feed on invertebrates with about 70% of their diet being earthworms. The may disturb plants/sod with tunnels/hills, but won't eat them. Gophers (I dunno about voles?) are vegetarians.

Carl