Moles

We are having a serious mole problem in our backyard. For the last two months or so, we have been trying to get rid of the little ****ers. I have a new respect for Bill Murray's character in Caddyshack.

For the first 5 weeks, DH made a tasty little brew of cayenne, black pepper, garlic, and dishsoap to pour that in the holes. It helped but they did come back. We are getting concerned about the damage this will do to the yard, especially if we sell the house next fall or winter. We decided to call a mole exterminator. He has set traps and the problem has become WORSE. That will be another issue with paying him but I've given up on the traps.

Has anyone had luck with the sonic pulse rods that you bury in the lawn? I'm thinking I will try that next.

[rainbabies]

sorry nellie. i know they cause your lawn to look yucky...but they're so cute!!

my father always set traps himself. it was some metal thing that went in the ground over their trails, and then *snap* it got em. he had good luck with it.

(it always made me sad)

good luck!

And here I thought this post was going to be about your hubby's job.

Sorry, I don't have any suggestions. I just hope they clear out fast so you have one less thing to worry about when you get ready to sell.

[Momo]

My dad and brothers used to go out and wait for the ground to start popping up, then they'd quickly shove a spade or shovel straight down into the ground near where it was moving in hopes of getting the little suckers. Ny dad always said,"this way you don't have to bury them and they will provide fertilizer for the yard."

[alison]

My dad and brothers used to go out and wait for the ground to start popping up, then they'd quickly shove a spade or shovel straight down into the ground near where it was moving in hopes of getting the little suckers. Ny dad always said,"this way you don't have to bury them and they will provide fertilizer for the yard."

Holy sh*t! I don't think I would have the guts to do that! Nor the patience. Aren't they up at night?

I have no suggestions, although my parents had a mole problem and were constantly cursing at the moles. It's less noticeable if you don't have grass (which they don't have anymore).

And here I thought this post was going to be about your hubby's job.

Luckily he is much more successful with those!

Pinkpickles -- when I have been up at night with the baby, I've thought about going out there and seeing if I could bop them on the head.

Maybe we should try the traps ourselves. I'm too squeamish to check and clear the traps and counting on DH to do that sort of thing usually sets me up to be disappointed. He might be able to this weekend though.

[Momo]

The lawns, that I remember them hunting them in, were our barn lots , where there were flood lights. They are a PITA.

[Momo]

here's some info that you may or may not have come across

NCAP does not recommend the use of pesticides. However, there are plant-based castor oil mole repellents that, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, do not pose known health or environmental hazards.(9) Castor oil is extracted from seeds of the castor oil plant and is used as a medicine. The seeds are highly toxic because they contain toxic ricin lectins. The oil contains small amounts (0.1 to 0.7%) of these lectins.(10)

Castor oil is an effective repellent for eastern moles, but has not been tested for Northwest moles.(4)

Information about two 100 percent castor oil mole repellents is available at http://www.scootproducts.com and http://www.havahart.com/nuisance/moles/ ... llents.htm.

Ineffective Methods

Mole plants, chewing gum, mothballs, household lye, broken bottles, and flooding are homemade remedies for mole problems that have not been proven to be effective.(1,4)

Electromagnetic devices to frighten moles have also not been shown to be effective.(1)

Fumigants are not effective in most soils. Hard, pellet poison baits also are not effective because moles don't like to eat them.(4)


Conclusion

Remember that moles are an important part of soil ecosystems. Try to live with them. If your mole problem exceeds your tolerance for them, pesticide-free techniques for killing moles are effective.

*******

The full article can be found here

http://www.pesticide.org/moles.html

What about dynamite?

Thanks -- I will check into the castor oil option.

I love the "try to live with them" at the bottom. If it was just a hole or two, I suppose I could. There are at least 10 mounds today.

Seriously - I saw the title of your post and thought "WTH? Her dh is a dermatologist! If she's got moles HE can't handle I don't think we'll be any help."

I've got nothing useful on the moles. Is Ned any help? I could send Bruce over to annoy the hell out of them until they move to your neighbor's yard.

[DCJenn]

My parents had moles when we lived in Pittsburgh and luckily, Coco the Siamese Cat who thought she was a Barn Cat caught and killed them unt il they were gone. (and she was so mean. She makes my Fat Bastard look like a gentle nice kitty. I'm 40 years old and I still have a scar on my left thumb from her. yup, double checked- still there)

Of course, that meant every morning mom woke up to a dead mole on the back porch and Coco beeming proudly but in the long run it was probably worth it.

Jenn

We have talked about getting an cat for the rats that the chicken feed attracted. (Roll banjo music).

Got rid of the rats and now we have moles.

Here is their handiwork since Sunday night.

[Momo]

I know they aren't native to your region, but you could try and get 1 or 2 of these beauties!

http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/Re...ckRatSnake.jpg

Black Rat Snakes are extremely beneficial as they eat large amounts of rats, mice, and other pest animals. Farmers always appreciate having snakes around for this reason.

Black Rat Snakes are not poisonous, and are not interested in humans, but they will bite if threatened. People often kill Black Rat Snakes because they fear their large size.

:!
I'll stick with a cat.

[Momo]

I wouldn't mind a black rat snake...we get roof rats in AZ, they obviously don't stay on the roofs, plus I bet he could scare off the darn pigeons & other birds that like to use are waterfall as bird bath & a toilet!. I sure as heck would prefer one of these guys to a rattler any day.


The other animal I wouldn't mind having is a meerkat as they like to feast on scorpions, and you all know by now from my blog we seem to have a never ending buffet of those nasty critters! Unfortunately I think I read where it's illegal to own a meerkat.