Why Do I Have Moles in My Yard?

If your yard has been looking a little lumpy lately, there’s a chance that it has become a mole motel. While they don’t pose any major threats to you or your property, moles can be a nuisance and can seriously tear up your yard. If you think you may have a mole problem, don’t panic. Here’s what you need to know about identifying, understanding, and removing moles.

How can I identify moles?

With the weather warming up, you’re probably spending more time outside in your yard. Unfortunately, so are a number of unwanted pests. Among the top, warm-weather visitors is the mole. Moles typically live alone, so an acre of land can only support a few of them at a time. Moles use underground tunnel systems to travel throughout your yard in search of food. If your property is host to one or more of these little critters, you’ll likely begin to notice raised trails throughout your yard as well as the signature molehills. Even if you can’t see evidence of moles in your yard, there may be activity going on under the surface.

Why are there moles in my yard?

In the springtime when the ground begins to thaw, mole activity increases. As they begin to seek out food, moles will venture into areas with the most worms, beetles, grubs, and other insects available. If your yard provides a healthy supply of snacks, you just might have a few unwanted dinner guests. As they work their way through your underground buffet, moles will tear up your lawn and wreak havoc on your landscaping’s root system. Moles can be a convenient way of mitigating your property’s insect population—as long as you don’t mind the changes in your lawn’s appearance.

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How can I get rid of moles?

Moles are particularly difficult to eradicate without the help of a professional. There are plenty of traps, poisons, and bait products on the market, but because of the sporadic activity of moles and their extensive tunnel systems, your attempts at removal may be ineffective. Fortunately, there are trained experts who can locate and remove any moles for you. You may also consider incorporating a grub killer into your yard care regimen, as this will decrease the incentive the moles have for seeking out your yard.

If you’re fighting a losing war against moles in your yard, contact the professionals at Springer. Our team of pest control experts can identify the location of active moles and efficiently remove them from your property. Our preventive pest control program can help keep your home and lawn pest-free* no matter what the time of year. Set up a free inspection to learn more about our residential pest control services. When it comes to pest control, you can always trust Springer!

How to Deal With the Pesky Moles Tearing Up Your Yard

Mole hills

You’ve heard the phrase, “Don’t make a mountain out of a molehill,” but talk to any homeowner with a mole infestation, and they’ll likely tell you they’d take the “mountain” instead! While moles may seem harmless at first glance, these tiny creatures can wreak serious havoc on your lawn and garden. If you find yourself faced with the monstrous task of ridding your yard of moles, we feel for you. Here’s what you’ll need to know to deal with the pesky moles tearing up your yard.

What’s the Deal with Moles?

Moles are small, insect-eating mammals that live underground throughout the United States. According to Today’s Homeowner, a 5–6-ounce mole can eat up to 50 pounds of insects, worms, and grubs a year. In order to do so, moles burrow throughout your yard in search of their next tasty meal: worms, beetles, and other insects. Their underground tunnel system causes the surface of your yard to rise, so you’ll be able to distinguish where, exactly, their routes run. Tunnel openings are referred to as “molehills.”

Moles don’t typically live in families, so your yard is likely being pillaged by only one or two. Many sources claim that an acre of land can support, at maximum, five or six moles. Mole activity increases in the springtime when the ground begins to thaw and insects become active. Spring is also the time when female moles complete their gestation period, so you could soon have more on your hands!

Why Are Moles So Bad for My Yard?

Despite their small size, moles can easily tear up a well-manicured lawn or garden. Moles can destroy the root systems of plants, shrubs, and flowers that they encounter. Sometimes, their digging can even damage the tough roots of your grass, and molehills and tunnels make for unsightly lumps throughout your yard. Like bats, however, moles are very effective at controlling the insect population in your yard. If you don’t mind the way the moles’ presence changes the appearance of your yard, you can always just let them be.

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Why Aren’t My DIY Methods Working?

DIY methods can be quite difficult to master when it comes to ridding your yard of moles. Even if you use professional-grade traps, poison, or bait, the moles’ tunnel systems make it difficult to pinpoint where the little beasts are active, rendering your removal method ineffective. Trial and error may lead to success, but if you want the problem taken care of promptly, calling in a professional is the safest bet.

How Can I Effectively Remove Moles From My Yard?

If you’ve found that your own methods of mole removal aren’t working, contact a professional pest control agency. Professionals are trained to locate and remove moles. It can be quite difficult to completely eliminate a mole problem, but ongoing monitoring and removal will help protect your property.

How Can I Protect My Yard from Further Damage?

One of the best ways to prevent pests is to eliminate their food sources. Try incorporating a grub killer into your spring fertilization regimen. There are also a variety of plants that are known to be mole repellant. Using these plants in your landscaping may lessen the chance of a future mole infestation.

If you’ve struggled to keep up with your yard’s mole problem and you live in Des Moines or elsewhere in Central Iowa, call Springer Professional Home Services for help. Our mole protection program is available year-round and includes a satisfaction guarantee. Contact us today to find out more!