Mole Treatment
How Do I Identify A Mole Problem?
Appearance - Moles in are subterranean mammals that are notorious for causing extensive damage to property - especially lawns. They are solitary animals with brown or gray fur and range in size from 5-8 inches in length. Their large front claws and strong shoulders allow them to easily tunnel underground, where they will make their homes and feed on worms and other insects.
Behavior - You will know that you have moles by spotting signs of their underground tunnels: raised mounds of dirt above their tunnels. These are called mole hills. They are famous for quickly and efficiently ruining gardens and yards. If you spot the hills alongside finding your garden and yard being eaten and destroyed, then a mole may be taking up residence on your property.
Why Could I Have A Mole Problem?
Moles like loose, moist soil. If you have a large yard with this type of soil, then you are more likely to have a mole problem.
Moles are also drawn to areas without a lot of foot traffic, such as a garden which may only be tended to weekly or a large yard where you may not always walk, and there is an abundance of vegetation for them to eat. Moles do not like to be bothered so the quieter your yard is, the more likely you may develop a mole problem.
Why Should I Treat My Mole Problem Immediately?
Moles in should be removed as soon as a problem is evident since they can cause severe damage. Damage to your yard as well as gardens can end up being costly. Also, mole tunnels can compromise the sturdiness of the ground below you on your property, which could lead to unsafe conditions for you and your family.
Although moles are not protected by any law, they are tough to trap and remove due to their elusive nature and underground tunneling.
This makes mole removal a complex task. Trapping and other mole removal tactics are often easily effective but depend on the placement of the mole traps. Mole removal should only be handled by a qualified local wildlife removal professional. These professionals are familiar with the habits and know the most efficient way to go about trapping and removing them.
How to Prevent Moles
Moles are a big problem for yards. They are experts at digging, which can cause unsightly holes. Their tunnels can also destabilize your topsoil. This results in soft spots, which can be dangerous. The best mole solutions start with prevention.
In the rest of this article, we will tell you exactly how to prevent moles.
Why Do I Have Moles?
Before implanting changes that prevent moles, you have to understand why they are in your yard. Moles invade for very particular reasons. These include the following.
- Food.
Moles are most interested in yards because they provide food. Moles eat grubs, insects, and earthworms. If your yard has a lot of these food sources, then it is likely moles will follow. - Damp earth.
Moles prefer soft and damp earth. Over-watered lawns are especially attractive to moles. If you have a low-lying yard that is prone to dampness, that is also a mole attractant. - Loose soil.
In addition to the damp earth, moles prefer loose and well-drained soil. This is not to say that they will avoid clay soils. You could have moles with clay soil. But, if you have loamy or sandy soil, you are much more likely to have a mole problem.
How Do I Prevent Moles?
Once you know why moles have singled out your yard, you can start preventing them. Removing all earthworms from your soil or completely changing the type of soil you have in your yard is impossible. But the following tips may help to keep the moles out.
- Don't over-water.
Everyone likes a nice lawn. But your yard does not have to be watered every day to look nice. If you want to prevent a mole problem, make sure not to over-water. Most lawns only require about one inch of water per week. Anything more than that is too much. - Limit their food supply as much as possible.
You cannot get rid of all the insects in your yard. However, you can control their populations. The less food that is available in your yard, the less likely moles are to stay. Products that aim to control grubs, mole crickets, insects, and ants should all work. - Put out repellents or traps.
You can purchase mole-specific repellents. These will make your yard less desirable to moles. In addition to specific products, castor oil works well as a mole repellent. You could also try to place traps in locations where moles are common. However, these will need to be checked frequently. Both the repellents and traps are not a long-term solution to mole prevention, but they may help in the short term. - Contact a good mole removal company.
Moles can be hard to completely prevent. A good mole removal company will help with this. Contact GoLocal Pest Control to learn about the top exterminators in your location. It doesn't matter where you live, we can help you find the best mole removal around. Contact us today to learn more.
What Do Moles Look Like?
Moles live underground. They are exclusively designed for subterranean living. But that does stop them from being a major pest. All that living underground means moles can significantly damage a yard. From tunnels that undermine the top layer of soil to lots of holes everywhere, moles can be a nuisance.
Because moles live underground, you are much more likely to see the damage they cause than them. But sometimes you may spot a mole. If you have never seen a mole before, it is helpful to know what they look like. This will help you differentiate them from voles, which are another common digging pest.
How Many Species of Moles Are There?
Moles are part of the Talpidae family. This family includes shrews and desmans as well. Moles are native to Europe, North America, and Asia. There are also two types of mole-like animals from southern Africa (golden moles) and Australia (marsupial moles), but they are completely unrelated to "true" moles.
There are forty-two species of moles in the Talpidae family. Of these, only seven species live in the United States. These seven species are the
- Broad-footed mole
- Coast mole
- Eastern mole
- Hairy-tailed mole
- Shrew mole
- Star-nosed mole
- Townsend's mole
The eastern mole is the most widespread of all U.S. mole species. The star-nosed mole is extremely common along the east coast of the country. The shrew mole is the most common mole out west.
What Do Moles Look Like?
Moles have a lot of features that help distinguish them from other burrowing animals, especially voles. Where voles look more like mice, moles do not. Instead, they have a cylindrical body; extremely small eyes and ears; small back limbs, and short, but powerful forelimbs. A mole's fur is also very velvety.
The mole's short, stocky limbs and long, hairless pink snout are probably its most distinctive features. However, each of the seven U.S. mole species varies in their appearance a little.
- Broad-footed mole:
These moles have extremely broad feet, even more so than other mole species. They are mostly found in California. - Coast mole:
This is a medium-sized mole that lives along the Pacific coast. It is mostly found along the northern Pacific coastline. - Eastern mole:
This is the most common mole in the country. It has dark fur and is about six inches long. - Hairy-tailed mole:
These moles are light gray. They have a fur-covered tail, and their eyes are completely covered as well. - Shrew mole:
You are more likely to see the shrew mole above ground than other types of moles. They are common on the West coast and have very wide front legs. - Star-nosed mole:
This mole's snout ends in a star shape. They are found in the northeast. - Townsend's mole:
Townsend's mole has black fur and a tail with almost no fur. It is also found along the northern Pacific coast.
No matter where you live, you could end up with moles. Identifying a mole problem is the first step in stopping it. Let us here at GoLocal Pest Control help you find the top mole exterminators in your area.
How to Find an Exterminator to Help with Moles
Moles are a problem for any homeowner. They can cause a huge amount of damage to yards. Although they are not aggressive pests, you don't want to let moles stick around.
A mole exterminator can help you solve your mole problem. Finding the best company in your area will ensure the moles do not return. If you are new to mole exterminators, you need to follow the advice in this article. It will lead you to the top mole removal company around.
What Should I Look for in a Mole Exterminator?
Moles are such a common problem that many exterminators will treat them. However, not all mole removal companies are the same. Some exterminators put moles on their list of pests treated without having any expertise in removing moles. Others do not remove the moles safely.
To find mole exterminators that work, you should ask the following questions. Always interview potential exterminators before hiring. This way you will know if the company is a good fit for you.
- Do you have technicians with expertise in removing moles?
- When was the last time your company treated a mole problem?
- What does your mole removal procedure look like?
- Will the moles come back?
- How do I know if I have moles or voles in my yard?
- Do you offer a warranty or guarantee for your service?
What Should I Expect from Mole Exterminators?
Most mole extermination follows a specific procedure. Knowing what to expect is important. It will help you determine if the exterminator is doing a good job.
The technician will likely begin with an inspection. Many pest control companies offer these for free. The inspection will tell the technician how bad your mole problem is and where the moles are living.
After the inspection is complete, the technician will go over the results with you. They will also recommend a treatment to remove the moles. Once you agree to this treatment plan, you can set up another appointment.
The technician will likely use traps and mole poison to remove the moles from your yard. If you have pets, you should ensure that the poison and traps used are not toxic or harmful to pets. The technician may also attempt to remove the moles' food source by using insecticides. The best companies will remove the mole bodies as well.
At the end of your treatment, the technician will likely go over ways you can protect your yard from future mole infestations. They may also schedule a follow-up appointment to check on the progress of the treatment.
How Do I Find an Exterminator to Help with Moles?
If you want the best mole treatment, you should look at a local company. They are more likely to take your unique situation into account, and not just offer you a cookie-cutter plan. At GoLocal Pest Control, we have access to the top exterminators for any location.
Use our location finder to find the top mole exterminators near you. You can visit this page to learn more about our process.