 WHAT IS A MOLE? Spring is here, but it also means increased mole activity. Moles are part of the Talpidae mammal family in the order Soricomorpha. The majority of moles burrow beneath the ground but some are amphibious. Moles have cylinder shaped bodies which are covered in fur and it's difficult to see their ears. Their eyes are small and often times covered which causes them to be blind.
True moles may be distinguished from meadow mice (voles), shrews, or pocket gophers-with which they are often confused-by noting certain characteristics. They have a hairless, pointed snout extending nearly 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) in front of the mouth opening. The forefeet are very large and broad, with palms wider than they are long. The toes are webbed to the base of the claws, which are broad and depressed. The hind feet are small and narrow, with slender, sharp claws.
Moles eat small critters living underground. It is typical for moles to spend winter near the heat of a homes foundation and then to disperse to more wild areas as the soil temperature warms. Due to the evidence that moles leave behind from their tunneling they are considered to be a pest in home lawns.
 DAMAGE CAUSED BY MOLESThe moles we see live in underground runways and are seldom above the ground. In heavily infested areas, these tunnels form a vast network of interconnecting highways. The main runways are often 5 to 8 inches deep, but can vary from 2 to 20 inches underground. Moles dig runways to search for food, provide protection from predators and create space for resting and breeding.
Mole hills are external evidence of the moles underground tunneling activities. Unfortunately, for most homeowners, moles remain active throughout the year but in the early spring and right after the snow melts is when they are most apparent.
FIXING THE PROBLEM
There is no product that Lawn Dawg supplies to our customers to control moles. However, 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 - such as traps, fumigants, or poisonous baits. 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. Moles themselves do not damage the lawn, but their tunnels can disrupt the surface of the lawn. The most effective way to deal with mole tunnels is to walk over them tamping the soil back into place.
Contrary to popular belief, applying a grub control treatment will not solve mole problems. As always, for any questions or concerns contact your Lawn Dawg Specialist directly or call 888-993-DAWG (3294).
| 
TICK POPULATION QUICKLY GROWING
