How to Safely Kill Moles

Mole tunnels and mounds can quickly destroy a golf course.

Rid your lawn and garden of moles safely and effectively by choosing from among several non-chemical elimination methods. Moles are solitary mammals that live mainly on earthworms but can wreak havoc on a lawn, golf course or garden with their tunnels and hills. Insecticides and pesticides do not kill moles and only contribute to overuse. Several supposed methods of eliminating moles prove safe but also ineffective, including ultrasonic and electromagnetic devices as well as chewing gum.

Instructions

1. Ensure that damage is actually caused by moles and worth the effort of exterminating. If you are not familiar with the creatures, catch one and take it to the local county extension office. Most people can easily identify a mole if they see one.

2. Trap moles to safely and effectively capture and kill these creatures. Using lethal traps for a mole problem is illegal in some states such as Washington, so check local regulations before use. Traps that are not lethal do not seem to be nearly as effective in deterring moles.

3. Allow your dog or cat to roam the mole-infested area. This works best if you have a trained hunting dog or a cat that simply loves to hunt outdoors. They can make a significant difference in the mole population.

4. Try additional methods such as gassing or flooding if others do not work. Gassing only works some of the time, according to Iowa State University, while flooding typically works only when used in areas with clay soil. Water treatment can also flood basements if used near a home or building.

Tips & Warnings

• Hitting a mole firmly in the head with a shovel will stun or kill it, though this is obviously an ineffective method of dealing with a large mole population.

• Locate the mole by looking for the growing tunnel in which he is currently working.

• Check local regulations regarding mole extermination as it is illegal to kill moles in some areas.

• Moles living in a lawn do not prove there are grubs. Treat the area for grubs only if you actually see grubs.

• Shoot moles only if you have experience with guns and you live in an area where it is legal to discharge a firearm.

References

• Washington State University: Moles
• Iowa State University: Acreage Living
• North Carolina Cooperative Extension: Moles and Voles

Resources

• Washington State University: Principles of Vertebrate Pest Management