I just noticed we have a mole in the back yard. What to do?
+5
I noticed two days ago there is a mole trail in the back yard. I checked this morning and it has gone even farther. I know they can take over quickly and they are feeding on grubs. What do I use to get rid of them and the grubs? I have two very small dogs so it cannot be too lethal.
8 answers
-
My grandfather used a "spring trap" that was deployed over a pre-existing trail. You would tamp down a spot, set this trap which have a press plate and spring driven spikes. When the mole would push the tamped down area back up, it would trigger the plate and send spikes down into the mole, killing it. I'm not usre if these types of traps are still available.
KMS Woodworks
on Jun 13, 2013
-
Plow and Hearth carries a little solar device you put in your ground. It vibrates periodically and the ground animals don't like to be around it. No affect on my small dog. It is working for us for gophers. It only costs about $40 and no chemicals, no electricity needed.
Robyn
on Jun 13, 2013
-
To get rid of the grubs (the moles food source) you can try Milky Spore (expensive, but a long term fix) or beneficial nematodes ( their good for at least a year) or a combo of the 2. Both are organic and non toxic to humans or pets. The nematodes are especially easy to apply, they come on a sponge, which you add to your hose end sprayer. Just spray as directed. That part was fascinating to see. Ok, ok, sometimes little things like that excite me. LOL
Catherine Smith
on Jun 14, 2013
-
This may not work for everyone, but I am an animal lover, and it worked for me on three occasions. Relax in a chair in the yard with gardenhose and 5 gal bucket. Watch for activity at the mound- dirt being pushed up. Run like heck and stick the running hose down the middle of the mound. Look for Mr Mole to poke up through the grass to escape the water. Grab him, put him in the bucket. Admire his shiny coat and funny nose, and take him off to a grassy area where nobody lives.
Paula
on Jun 15, 2013
-
We still have the mole and he is still causing destruction but we did buy one of those solar things that emit the noise. We have two little dogs that we didn't want to take any chances with. I am still going to look for something like Catherine Smith mentioned but have yet to find it. Thanks everyone.
Margaret LaRose
on Jun 19, 2013
-
Let us know how the solar device works Margaret, I would be interested to hear.
Robyn
on Jun 19, 2013
-
Margaret, you can look up Milky Spore on the web. It is expensive, but well worth the cost long term. Here's the url for the beneficial nematodes :) http://www.gardensalive.com/beneficial-sf-nematodes/p/5004/
Catherine Smith
on Jun 20, 2013
-
the perfect answer to this Q, is the same for all pests, regardless of size, species, etc.... #1) take away their source of food #2) bring in a predatory bug, animal, etc., to get rid of the pest. #3) bring in the trap(s). #1) Because you have pets that go outside, any kind of chemical is out. I do not care what the "Experts" claim, there is no such thing as a safe chemical. All chemicals will either make your pets sick, or kill them, period. #2) there are many predatory animals that would just LOOOOOOOOVE to sink their teeth in to a mole's wee body....and believe it or not, if your babies(the dogs) were to kill the mole, it would not hurt them in the least....unless you or someone else in the area/neighborhood were using chemicals for some reason. Domestic dogs & cats will quite often hunt for & kill, moles once they know/are made aware of, their presence. I'm not sure if it is instictive for them to hunt down moles, or if it is a kind of play thing for them....and not ALL dogs & cats will do this...only some of them will. #3) traps. There are almost as many types of traps for moles as there are grains of sand on a California beach. Some are worth their weight in gold, while others are only good for paper weights. So how do you get the best trap for your money? Talk to exterminators. find out what they use & also find out how satisfied their customers are.... if you talk to a good exterminator, & he says for you to buy XYZ mole trap, find out if he uses that also, & if he does, and you can afford it, buy that trap. Lastly, getting rid of moles is NOT a one time thing....nor will you see results within 24 hours. exterminating moles, does not work that way...it is an on going thing in the spring & summer, and it takes time....lots & lots of time. Some will get lucky & rid they yard of any & all moles in 1 summer....but the law of averages says that it will be a forever thing. meaning that once that single mole is gone, 2 to 20 more will be close at hand to move in .
Capernius
on Apr 27, 2015
Sign Up to Answer
Suggested Project Book
