Although there are many species of moles found world wide, there are at least 5 which can be found in the United States. The Eastern Mole is the most common mole pest in lawns and gardens. Moles have soft fur, a pointed nose or snout and broad, powerful, clawed feet; their front feet enable them to quickly maneuver through the soil, tunneling as they search for food. Even though they are considered beneficial to farmers and gardeners (feeding on insects and grubs) they can become quite a nuisance when they begin to destroy lawns or turf grasses in homes or golf courses. Many people will confuse mole infestations with molecricket infestations. While both tunnel, moles have larger and deeper runs and feed on young insects (including molecrickets), grubs, worms. Molecrickets tend to run more shallow (during peak turf damage season) and feed on tender plant growth beneath the soil's surface. Green June Beetles also damage by tunneling but the signs of their activity are not usually confused with the runs or tunnels associated with moles.

On their never ending quest for food, this animal's tunneling activity disrupts our lawns and gardens, separating the plant roots from the soil. Without root to soil contact, the grass or plant can obviously die where extensive tunneling is present The plants are not being eaten by the animal; the tunneling kills plants. These furry little creatures love areas where grub and insect populations are high.
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Lawn Moles

There are two reasons why these pests are in your lawn. First, the environment we create for nice lawns are also a prime breeding and feeding area for lawn insect pests, grubs (or insect larvae) and earth worms. The rich, well-irrigated soil in which the turf grasses grow are a haven for molecrickets, worms, grubs and insects which feed on lawns. A mole can eat its body weight in prey, in a very short period, meaning that it does need a high population of these insects or worms. Second, many of our customers with mole infestations live close to a wooded area (natural habitat) or close to newly constructed homes, businesses or sub-divisions. In short, the animals are being forced out of their natural habitat into our lawns in search of food.
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Mole Elimination (mole control)

When the grubs and other immature stages of lawn pest insects are in high numbers, moles will be attracted to your lawn. Methods to rid your lawn of moles

Eliminate the food source
Repel the mole
Kill the mole with mole bait
Use a Victor Spear Type Mole Trap

To rid your property of the different pests these burrowing animals love to eat, treat the area with a turf insecticide such as Acephate or Talstar.

If your mole continues to tunnel (after its food source has been eliminated), spray Whole Control Repellent on the areas where the mole is active. Moles do not like this product. The smell and feel of the active ingredient will force the mole to move on. An additional product (the newest mole repeller from Dr. T's Nature Products) is Mole Out, a granular repellent that is gaining in popularity with those that have active mole problems. In many cases, customers have had good results using a combination of Whole Control spray and Mole Out granules. Use Mole Out in areas of worst infestation, use Whole Control for broader areas.

Moles can be killed in their tunnels using a good mole bait. The best granular mole bait is Mole Patrol. This new product is giving better results with great bait acceptance and stability. Mole Patrol granular mole bait consistently works better than Zinc Phosphide ZP baits. The newest bait developed for mole elimination is Talpirid Mole Bait. This is not a granular or pelletized type of bait. Talpirid has the shape, size and feel of a worm, which is a favorite food source for moles.

Summary of Mole Control

Moles cause a great deal of damage to lawns and turf grasses, tunneling as they forage for food. Kill the mole's food by treating your lawn with a turf insecticide. Repel persistent moles by spraying Whole Control or broadcasting Mole Out.
Kill tunneling moles with Mole Patrol mole bait or Victor Mole Trap.

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Talstar Acephate Whole Control Mole Out Mole Patrol Mole Trap

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