MOLES DAMAGE CONTROL
Purdue University
There are two species of moles in Indiana. The Eastern mole (Scalopus aquaticus) is the most numerous and widespread, and is responsible for most of the complaints concerning mole damage to lawns and gardens. The star-nosed mole (Condylura cristata), found in the northern part of the state, is not an important mole pest.
Moles are not rodents; they belong to the group of mammals known as insectivores, and thus are related to the shrew. Eastern moles have pointed snouts, greatly enlarged rounded front feet with stout claws, and a short nearly naked tail. They are 6-8 inches long with short, velvety fur that is usually gray to silvery-gray. The eyes and ears of moles are very small and are concealed in the fur.
Moles can be destructive pests in lawns, gardens, nurseries, parks, golf courses, and cemeteries. During their burrowing activities, they produce mounds and ridges that disfigure lawns and sometimes dislodge plants or injure plant roots. Their mounds also provide a medium for the germination of weed seeds.
Despite the damage done by moles around yards and gardens however, there are aspects of this unique mammal which are very beneficial. Moles make soils healthier because their tunnels permit air and water to penetrate deeper soil levels. Moles feed voraciously on all types of insects found in the soil - some of which are serious pests of lawns, gardens, and horticultural plants. They are also part of the foot chain in the wildlife community, providing food for some hawks, owls, and snakes. And finally, the mole’s unusual subterranean life provides one of the most fascinating studies found among wildlife.
BIOLOGY AND BEHAVIOR
Moles feed primarily on earthworms, beetle grubs, ants, and other animals which live in the soil. A smaller part of their diet consists of various seed and vegetable matter. But they usually do not eat bulbs or the roots of garden plants. Several species of mice also use mole runways; often these are the culprits responsible for the occasional damage to roots and tubers in flower and vegetable gardens.
Moles are active day and night throughout the year, but they are most active near the earth’s surface during the spring and fall on damp days or following rain showers. When the ground surface becomes frozen in the winter, or very dry during the summer, moles use only the deeper burrows. Daily peak activity periods are during the morning hours, although they may be seen working off and on throughout the day and night.
Mating occurs during February and March, with a single litter of three to five young born later in the spring following a 6-week gestation period. Young moles grow rapidly and leave the nest to fend for themselves at about one month of age.
NESTS AND RUNWAYS
The nests, usually 4-16 inches below ground, are located either in protected areas underneath objects such as boulders, trees, stumps and fence rows, or randomly within the tunnel system in open field areas. Nests are slight enlargements of the tunnels and are lined with bits of leaves or grass.
Two types of runways (tunnels) are produced by moles - surface runways and deep runways. Certain tunnels of both types are used as major lanes of travel (called main runways) and may be used by several moles in the area.
Surface runways are commonly seen as the raised ridges running through lawn areas. The mole is capable of extending surface runways at the rate of 100 feet per day. Surface runs may be used daily, may be revisited at irregular intervals, or may be used only once and then abandoned. They connect with the deep runways, which are located between 3 and 12 inches below the surface. Generally, few or no mounds are produced as a result of the production of surface tunnels.
Deep runways are usually main runways, since they are used daily as the mole travels to and from the surface runways to the nest. The soil excavated from the deep tunnels is deposited on the surface through short vertical tunnels in volcano-like mounds. (Mole mounds should not be confused with pocket gopher mounds which are horse-shoe shaped.)
When fence rows, concrete paths or other manmade borders are within mole-active areas, the moles tend to construct their main runways following along the edge of these artificial borders. It is also common for the main runways to follow a woody perimeter of a field or yard. Surface runways that are not used as main runways commonly branch off from these border runs towards the center of a field or yard. The number of mounds or surface ridges seen in a yard is no indication of how many moles may be present. Generally, one acre of land will support no more than two or three moles at one time. However, yards surrounded by or adjacent to large tracts of forested areas or weedy field may be subject to continual invasions by moles because such areas may support many moles.
CONTROL BY TRAPPING
Trapping is the MOST reliable method of mole control. The key to success is patience, practice and persistence. Moles have an uncanny ability to detect and spring improperly set traps. So place traps carefully, and keep trying until experience leads to success.
When and Where to Trap. Generally, trapping is easiest and most effective during the spring and fall, when mole activity is at a peak. Once mole activity is noticed, control efforts should begin as quickly as possible to keep damage to a minimum. Also, trapping in the early spring can eliminate pregnant females, thereby reducing the likelihood of having to contend with a family of moles.
For successful trapping, it is essential to locate the main runways. To identify main runways in a yard or area, look for runways which:
• follow more or less a straight course for some distance;
• appear to connect two mounds or two runway systems;
• follow fence rows, concrete paths or other manmade borders, or;
• follow a woody perimeter of a field or yard.
Active surface main runways can also be determined by poking small holes with your finger into the runways at several locations throughout the system. Moles will repair these holes in their main runways within a day or two. Identify these holes using a stick or other type of marker so you can inspect them at a later date. Runways unrepaired over a longer period of time are not worth trapping.
Also, because nests are commonly located at protected spots along the edge of areas such as hedgerows or fence rows, border trapping at the places where runways enter the yard, field, or garden often provides good results.
Unless the mole activity is extremely light, more than one trap should be used. Use between three and five traps per acre for quick results. If possible, one trap should be placed in each of the above mentioned main runway areas.
How to Trap. There are several different types of mole traps, but the harpoon trap is probably the easiest trap for the novice to use, and is readily available from most hardware and garden shops.
For more current information on Mole Control from Purdue University, Click HERE
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