They're destroying my yard. Everyday a new tunnel and mound or two. I've tried everything I know of. Traps, poison pellets, smoke bombs, street flares, the garden hose, castor oil. Keep in mind I have the most beautiful yard in the entire area (except for the darn holes and tunnels). We have 15" wide rhododendrons, $1500 Japanese Maples, more flowers than Home Depot. These rodents got me for over $400 over the past 3-4 years and I am sick of it. I called 2 "pros" and they were going to use the same tricks I've used and they will not gaurantee anything except to take my check. I guess it's time for the rifle with a flashlight duct taped to the barrel. Any suggestions?

 

Behrman,

Trapping IS the only effective solution, (IMO), but it takes alotta time and patience. Even then, it's not always 100% effective.

There are two types of traps, (that I know of), that are available for moles: harpoon and choker loop traps. For trapping to succeed it is vital to select a frequently used tunnel, as not all tunnels are used more than one time.

To locate active tunnels, cave in short sections of several different tunnels and mark each site with a stick so you'll know later which tunnels you've caved in. Moles are very suspicious and will avoid areas that appear odd, so don't disturb the tunnels more than necessary. Check each marked site and place your traps in the tunnels which have been rebuilt. If there is no catch within a day or two, change locations and reset the trap.

Most of the tunneling is done in a random search for food, so many of the tunnels are seldom re-used. This is important to remember when trapping moles. Their more permanent or 'active' tunnels usually run along fences, borders or other protected places that lead to feeding areas.

Hope this will help.

chaikwa.

 

I talked with a friend of mine who is one of the premier golf course greens keeper in the country, his reply to this was to remove the food and the moles go away. Moles eat grubs and other insects underground, get rid of those and you get rid of the moles.

 

When we lived on 3rd ave NW near the city limits, on the east sided (cheep) side of the street we had moles. The harpoon trap got a few. Our hunting tom cat got a few.
Moth ***** dropped in the holes don't kill them, but they don't like the smell, so they will move on.
Hope this helps.

Davey

 

I've used grub killer on the yard to get rid of the food supply. After awhile, the moles leave for greener pastures. Problem lies with not continuing treatment, here they come again.

(my advice may not be worth much as my yard looks like it has been plowed )

Ed

 

Yes, that's what I was gonna say, but there's a way to do it. Dont' do the whole yard at once. Start with the area close to your house and gradually work your way out. You can trap for immediate relief, but "pushing" the food out will keep them from coming back and you'll be driving out the ones that the traps miss.

 

Woke up this morning and 2 new mounds. Do they eat worms? I have a lot of worms but no grubs. I've used over my share of Grub-X.

 

Rent yourself a couple Beagles.

We had something digging up the back yard, don't know if it was a mole or gopher or what.
Tried poison and flooding the tunnels Caddyshack style, but that didn't work.

Left the Beagle outside overnight and haven't seen a mound since.


phox

Of course I mean Beagles the dogs, not the young lad from socal who has a thing for gremlins and propane

 

I was around back working on the jungle gym set for the grandkids, when I walked over to the the miter saw I saw my wife on the side yard with her Colt revolver in her hand. She had spooked a mole out of it's hole and was fixing to do him in

I have one of her pistols filled with shot shells for critters and one with hollow points for the human scum of our society Nothing quite like a mountain woman that will go out kill, dress and cook evening supper for you

mmmmm Mole casserole with truffles

 

I'm pretty adventurous in regards to what I'll eat, but...

chaikwa

 

I have a 15 year old gopher gettin pitbull. She seems to have gopher radar. One night I was in bed and my dog started growling so I woke up to let her out. She took 2 steps outside and had a gopher by the head. I have no idea how she knew that it was outside. My room is about 50 feet away and I have dual pane glass. Somehow she knew it was out there. Simply amazing.

 

Gopher Evart?

Name that movie

 

Why would you want to hurt this little guy? LOL




I was at a custom grounds seminar this winter and we were told that there is a new mole control out and it is getting rave reviews. The D.E.P lady said the early reports were phenominal. I was told it was for Professional Use only, but it can be bought online. I have not used it yet.

At about $2.75 a worm, it's not cheap. But if it works it's worth it.

http://www.talpirid.com/

Also try Google "Talprid any good?"

 

Hmm. Gremlins and propane. Gremlins and propane. Ahhh! PROPANE!! Beagle1 was building a propane fumigator I believe the term was. Fumigate those suckers and if/when that doesn't work, light the propane and remove the roof from their tunnels.

I'm surprised that no one has yet suggested turning up the smoke screw on your truck and running them out with a good puff of diesel smoke. Oh well, guess you'll have to get by with more conventional solutions.

 

I've foud a battery powered stake -- thing is about a 'D'-cell in diameter and a foot long. It makes clicking noises on some random interval, and evidently irritates the moles enough where they leave.

Put the battery in, drive it into the soil mostly.

Gophers hate the noise and move elsewhere.

When he moved to the side yard, I moved the stake.

Never saw him again.

Found the thing at the local Fred Meyers a few years back. Ace may have them too.

First thing I've found that works as well or easily.

FYI - Mark