Effective Mole Control: Protect Your Lawn and Garden from Underground Damage

Molehills ruin a lawn's appearance, but the real damage happens underground. These insectivores—not rodents—tunnel extensively while hunting earthworms, grubs, and insects. Their runways (feeding tunnels) create raised ridges, while deeper permanent tunnels serve as highways. Voles, which are plant-eaters, often hijack mole tunnels to access garden roots and bulbs, compounding the destruction.

Identifying Active Tunnels

Not all tunnels are in use. To find an active runway, flatten a section of raised earth with a trowel, mark it, and check 24 hours later. If the ridge reappears, moles are actively traveling there.

Control Methods

Trapping remains the most effective approach, especially in spring before females reproduce. Options include scissor, choker, and harpoon traps, plus humane live-catch alternatives. Professional pest control companies employ multiple strategies tailored to the property. Poison baits and repellents exist but show variable results.

Because moles are blind, they won't see a properly placed trap in an active tunnel. For persistent or widespread issues, professional intervention ensures comprehensive removal and prevents secondary pest problems from tunnel-hijacking rodents.