How to get rid of moles in your yard?

Moles are black insectivorous mammals that measure between 15 and 20 cm in length and weigh up to 77 grams. The two best-known species in Quebec are hairy-tailed moles (Parascalops breweri) and star-nosed moles (Condylura cristata). They are pests for gardens.

Characterized by their great burial capacity which can reach 4 meters deep, a colony of these small mammals is able to create a network of underground galleries in your green space. This results in damage to plants and the appearance of mounds of soil on the surface, commonly known as molehills.

Being experts in extermination, we have prepared a complete guide so that you can identify the presence of these small mammals, discover their way of life and effective ways to get rid of them.

How to identify moles?

Physical appearance

Moles have hairless snouts, their eyes and ear canals are concealed by fur, and they do not have external ears. Their forelegs are very wide with webbed toes, but their hind legs are narrow with thin claws.

These insectivorous animals are short-sighted, but they are gifted with a strong sense of hearing, smell and touch to better adapt to dark and cramped environments. These small mammals also have a high sensitivity to vibrations which make it easier for them to find their prey. The natural habitat of moles is the forest, but they also live in residential gardens, meadows or farmland.

Molehills

In their natural environment or in large open rural areas, moles do not cause significant damage. On the contrary, they help aerate the soil, drain water and eliminate insects harmful to plants such as earthworms, larvae, mealybugs and slugs...

However, when moles manage to invade your garden and start to make a network of galleries, they can become a real nightmare. Indeed, during the rapid digging of the soil, which can reach 20 meters of galleries per day, these pests cause damage to the roots of plants and even to young shrubs.

The appearance of small volcano-shaped mounds of earth and raised ridges is not always the result of an ants or mice infestation as most people believe. In fact, these are often the most telling signs of a mole infestation in your garden. These mounds hated by green space enthusiasts also hide small stones that can damage garden machinery.

Are moles hemophiliacs?

Contrary to popular belief, moles are neither hemophiliac nor blind. It is true that they have more blood than average to fill the lack of oxygen in their underground environment, but clotting is normal as soon as the bleeding stops. Based on this false belief, some people recommend putting pieces of glasses or branches of roses in the tunnels of moles in order to injure and kill them, which is quite unnecessary!

Why do I have moles in my garden?

These animals prefer to live in areas rich in insects and larvae, as they are insectivores and 80% of their diet is based on earthworms. In addition, these burrowing mammals living underground exercise their activity both day and night. Moles seek areas where the soil is moist and not too compact to facilitate the construction of underground tunnels. They obviously like the land where their food is abundant.

So, if these favorable conditions meet in your garden, there is a good chance that these pests will come visit you. If so, you will need to put in place solutions to keep them away.

How to get rid of moles in your garden?

The best time to get rid of moles

In winter, the mole does not hibernate, but it sinks deep into the earth and remains in minimal activity. On the other hand, in spring and autumn, it becomes more active and appears more frequently on the surface because of these factors:

• Start of the breeding season?
• Moderate temperature?
• Insect abundance in spring?
• Burying of new galleries before winter?

Natural and mechanical methods to get rid of moles

Here are some effective tips to help you keep these small pests away from our garden based on our vast experience exterminating of pests and parasites:

• Install a wall or fence: the simplest preventive method is to install a wall or a fence around your green space at a depth of at least 60 cm.?
• Reduce watering: a very simple solution is to limit watering in the garden to what is strictly necessary and to ensure good water drainage in order to avoid a high level of humidity in the soil.?
• Weed elimination: this is important to reduce the development of worms which are the main food source for these small insectivores.?
• Mole traps: for reliable results, it is advisable to use several traps in deep tunnels. Check the traps daily and get rid of any captured moles.?
• Mole predators: Besides pets that can help hunt moles, you can also place nests in high places in your yard to attract owls.?
• Bottles: Place a plastic or glass bottle in each molehill. The infiltrating wind will produce a sound that will drive away the moles.?
• Anti-mole plants: such as purge (beware of its toxic effect on the skin) and bulbous plants such as imperial fritillaria, hyacinth, onion, daffodils or garlic…?
• Elderberry branches and peeled garlic cloves: also have a repellent effect when placed inside mounds.?
• Baits: also work to entice this underground mammal out of its galleries.?
• Castor cake: it is a natural fertilizer rich in nitrogen which serves as a mole repellant and helps fertilize the lawn.?
• Dog hair: Place dog hair in the molehill and close it. The smell will annoy the moles.?
• Ultrasonic pest repeller: emit vibrations whose frequency varies between 300 and 500 Hz every 40 seconds. The propagation of these waves can cover an area of ??400 to 600 m². You can opt for solar powered and autonomous ultrasonic terminals operating day and night.?

Need help getting rid of moles?

If you need help to keep moles away, it is recommended that you seek the services of a specialized pest control company to ensure a quick, efficient and safe treatment for your residential space or agricultural land. Our extermination experts apply specific treatments depending on the level of infestation and the nature of the environment.

We have all the necessary pest control certificates. For any further information, do not hesitate to contact us; we are available 7 days a week. You can also consult our pest protection packages.