Moles tearing up the Turf

[CCLS]

I have several customers with extensive mole damage to the turf. It is too late in the year to address the problem because the ground is frozen here. I have heard you can use smoke bombs or poison food to kill the moles. There are no grubs present in the turf. I suggested that the homeowners water their lawn to get rid of the moles. It worked and the moles went to the neighbors yard, but once they stopped wattering the yard, the moles returned.

Does anyone have any other suggestions for eliminating moles from the turf.

[jrservices]

reply

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by CCLS</i>
<br />I have several customers with extensive mole damage to the turf. It is too late in the year to address the problem because the ground is frozen here. I have heard you can use smoke bombs or poison food to kill the moles. There are no grubs present in the turf. I suggested that the homeowners water their lawn to get rid of the moles. It worked and the moles went to the neighbors yard, but once they stopped wattering the yard, the moles returned.

Does anyone have any other suggestions for eliminating moles from the turf.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">lol i have heard that lime will pretty much drive them away,though i have never done so myself.i guess it irritates them.[][][:p]

[mariner]

reply

Set Mole Traps across main tunnels. Main tunnels are straighter than feeding tunnels. Main tunnels usually connect to other tunnels and are used daily by the mole. If you are unsure of the tunnels, push the raised grass down and if it is pushed up again, more than likely it is a main tunnel. Smoke bombs and poison foods are a waste of money.

[CCLS]

reply

Does anyone know where to buy mole traps?

[mariner]

reply

I think I saw them at Menards before.

[Boatsrule]

reply

CCLS,
It is always a good idea when setting the traps to cover the trap with a dark colored 5gal bucket. When you use your (thumb) to indent the tunnel to position the trap it may let light in the tunnel. The moles will not dig in a tunnel with light showing (So I am told by an old salt).
I used this method this past fall and I killed three VERY large moles, they we the size of hamsters! In the same yard...
One other thing; they leave the nest early in the a.m and return early evening so set the trap on a main tunnel late morning.
Also stay away from setting the traps in a intersection, this area is identified by a large mound of fresh soil. and is to large of an area to properly spear a mole.
Good luck

[G-Man]

reply

Shawn,

Buy yourself a Jack Russel. I haven't had a critter in my yard for the past 5 years! If anything moves, the do (Charlie) kills it!

Of course you've got some holes to fill up later - but by golly! Those moles are history!

[][]

Gary

[CCLS]

reply

G-Man,

Whats a Jack Russel?

[G-Man]

reply

Shawn,

Did I spell it wrong or are you kidding the old man? LOL! A Jack Russel is just the best little dog a guy could have the pleasure traveling with! Eddie on Frazier? The dog?

Now I know they are used in Iowa by coon hunters to go into barns in the winter - I've done it myself. They're only about 10 pounds but they act like they weigh a 100 lbs!

You really didn't know?? [:0]

Gary

[CCLS]

reply

No G-Man,

Haven't heard of them before, I live under a rock! LOL

[Lawngodfather]

reply

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by mariner</i>
<br />Set Mole Traps across main tunnels. Main tunnels are straighter than feeding tunnels. Main tunnels usually connect to other tunnels and are used daily by the mole. If you are unsure of the tunnels, push the raised grass down and if it is pushed up again, more than likely it is a main tunnel. Smoke bombs and poison foods are a waste of money.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">

That's all you can really do is try and trap them.

Or fill the tunnels with water and drown them out.

[GrassBustersLawn]

reply

Got to trap them. Nothing else works. We have them bad here last year and this year too. Saw a speaker at a Lawn Conference - MOLEMAN from Cincinnati. He has a web-site (www.themoleman.com) and is "expert" on moles. (Good resource to give to clients.) He says YOU'VE GOT TO TRAP THEM.

Mike

[CCLS]

reply

Nice link Mike, theres a lot of good information on that site. Thanks.