Now that some lawns are exposed we have been getting an extraordinary number of calls and emails concerning MOLES. It certainly is not uncommon at all for there to be noticeable mole activity around the home lawn this time of year.  Any extended snow cover over the winter gives the local mole population more time to create havoc just under the surface of lawns.

It is typical for moles to over winter near the heat of a homes foundation and then to disperse to more wild areas as the soils temperature warms but this year there appears to be some concern that they are creating more damage than normal.

 

Due to the evidence that moles leave behind from their tunneling they are considered to be a pest in home lawns.  There are many methods that people have attempted to use over the years in an effort to eradicate these pests but simply stated none of them work or in almost all cases are even necessary.

 

There are products on the market that are designed to repel moles. There are traps, fumigants, poisonous baits and we have even heard of customers stuffing chewed up bubble gum in mole tunnels in an effort to be rid of the pesky animals. With all of these possible methods of mole control on the market and online today the best method of mole control is free of charge and easy to use. The best way to deal with a moderate mole population is to have patience. There is no getting rid of moles.

 

As soil temperatures rise and the ground becomes firmer and dries out with the heat of the sun many of the mole tunnels that have taken over your lawn will simply disappear. The most effective way to deal with mole tunnels is to walk over them tamping the soil back into place.
It is commonly misunderstood that the only reason the moles are active in the lawn is because there are grubs present. It may be true that a few grubs could be present in the lawn; however, GRUBS ARE NOT ACTIVELY FEEDING ON THE ROOTS OF TURF during this time of year and applying contact chemical insecticides to turf in April is environmentally irresponsible.

 

If you have a moderate mole population in your lawn the best thing you can do is to wait it out. Although the moles will always be in your vicinity, as the weather changes, they will be far less noticeable.