Animals that burrow through soil are an especially troubling pest for homeowners and businesses alike. Moles and voles are a nuisance in lawns throughout the United States.

These pests create tunnels and runways through the soil, demolishing landscaped areas and often attacking tree and ornamental plantings in their insatiable search for food. Moles, being insectivores, feed on grubs, earthworms, mole crickets, spiders, and other invertebrate pests. Voles, meanwhile, eat a variety of grasses and plant roots.

But many PCOs may be reluctant to offer control services for these creatures, points out Jim Springer, vice president of Dr. T's Nature Products, Pelham, Ga. "The options are repelling these pests, or trapping them," he says, adding that trapping programs, for many PCOs are impractical. "For many, it's too time-consuming, there are no guarantees, and often, the expertise is not there," he noted. Controlling these pests is even more difficult, he said, because in some states, these animals are protected species.

But a new product from Dr. T's Nature Products is registered to repel these animals from lawns, golf courses, and other landscaped areas, where they do most of their damage. Made up of 100% castor oil, Whole Control is a non-toxic, all-natural, biodegradable product that can be used safely around humans, pets and plants. The product works by interfering with the pests' digestive systems. Applied as an emulsion, Whole Control penetrates through the soil to coat grubs, mole crickets, and root systems. When the unsuspecting mole or vole eat these, the creature's digestive system is disrupted. Within four to seven days, Springer said, moles and voles learn that the food source is unpalatable and leave in search of more suitable grounds.  Whole Control works quickly; Mole Out (granular product) gives a longer residual.  Combing both products also works well, for stubborn problems.

The product is capable of penetrating soil surfaces because of its unique application system, Springer notes. "We've got a specialty sprayer head that emulsifies that product with water, mixing it 20-to-1, and takes it into the soil 6 to 12 inches when it is sprayed," he said. The product is then re-activated, he added, each time it rains or the lawn is watered. Each application remains effective for approximately two months. (The product can also be applied using conventional spraying equipment - Whole Control can be used as a preventative measure, and in severe infestations, Springer recommends that a grubacide be applied to lawns prior to using Whole Control, to help eliminate the pests' food source. He calls this the "salad dressing effect."

Whole Control cannot be shipped to Alaska and California.
Universal Armadillo Trap (Whole Control and Mole Out are no longer labeled for control of Armadillo problems.  Use a Safeguard Animal Trap instead of repellent.)
Professional Pest Control Products
1-800-434-4555