What to Use to Kill Moles in Your Yard
Homeowners consider moles a nuisance due to their ability to destroy the lawn. Moles burrow through the ground and can leave craters where they dig. Moles feed on grubs in the soil, indicating you have a grub problem as well. They also can feed on plant bulbs in the soil, killing your landscape. As a first step to any mole problem, you must figure out where the moles are tunneling, which is not usually hard since they leave craters in the yard. Does this Spark an idea?
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Traps
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Several variations of mole traps exist. A common trap to kill moles is designed like a mouse trap. When the mole gets to the trigger point, a bar swings down and kills the mole. Other traps use a large spike to impale the mole. All of the traps used to kill moles should be placed either in or near their tunnels.
Poison
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A less gruesome method for killing the mole is to use poison. Typically the poison will come in some type of pellet or capsule form. Place the poison into the mole burrow. When the mole eats the poison, it will die. You may dispose of the mole once it is dead. Use lot of caution if you try this method and have pets or small children in the yard because the poison is dangerous for them as well.
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Flooding
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A simple and cost-effective method to control the moles is to flood their burrow. Put a garden hose down the mole's hole, and turn the water on as high as you can. The water will flood the burrow, forcing the mole to run away or to drown. Try plugging all the other mole holes in the yard so the mole cannot escape. This method is worth trying first due to its low cost, but it is not as effective as either poisons or traps.
Shovel
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A shovel or any other hand tool can be used to hit the mole if you can find it digging. Look for any movement just below the surface of the lawn. Strike the spot multiple times as hard as you can. The resulting force will kill the mole. If you do not see movement, you know the mole is dead.
Gas Bomb
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Gas bombs are efficient at killing moles but are not considered to be a very humane way to kill the mole. Drop the gas bomb into the mole's hole. The poison will work its way through the hole, causing the mole to suffocate from carbon monoxide poisoning or to die from the gas itself.
Precautions
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Use common sense when using these methods. For any chemical or poison you use to kill a mole, always follow the directions. Never allow your children or pets around any poison or trap. If you choose to dispose of the mole body, wear disposable gloves and thoroughly wash your hands afterwards. Moles are wild animals and can transmit diseases to humans.
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