You step outside one morning to find your once-sparkling lawn has been turned into a mess, with raised tunnels and soft, squishy patches of earth all over the place. Sound familiar? An infestation of moles can quickly turn a well-manicured yard into an eyesore that seems like it’s been ravaged by a wrecking ball overnight. And let’s be honest – these little critters can do some serious damage to lawns, gardens, and root systems – and getting rid of one at home is hardly ever as easy as it sounds.
In this guide, we’re going to cover everything you need to know – from spotting the first signs of a mole problem to tried-and-true methods for getting rid of them, to knowing when to bite the bullet and bring in the pros for pest control in St. Paul and surrounding areas.
Understanding the Problem: What Is a Mole Infestation?
Before we dive into the solutions, it’s worth taking a minute to understand what we’re up against here. Moles aren’t plant-eaters – they use their keen sense of smell to sniff out earthworms and grubs beneath the soil. That said, it’s their tunneling behavior that makes a mole infestation so destructive in the first place. A single mole can dig up to 100 feet of tunnels per day – and by the time you even notice what’s going on, the damage is already done.
Common signs of a mole infestation look like this:
- Ridged folds in your lawn that look like they were made by a bunch of kids playing with their toy bulldozers
- Those weird volcano-shaped mounds of dirt (molehills) that just pop up out of nowhere
- Soft, squishy ground that feels like quicksand when you step on it – because essentially, it’s like that
- Plants and grass that start to wither and die because the mole’s digging has damaged their roots
Identifying the problem early on is crucial – the longer moles are left to tunnel away unchecked, the bigger (and costlier) the mess becomes.
Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Rid of a Mole at Home
Getting rid of a mole at home requires some patience, a willingness to get your hands dirty, and a solid plan. Here are the most effective methods you can try before bringing in the experts.
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Try Setting Mole Traps
Trapping is probably the most reliable DIY method for getting rid of a mole. Scissor traps and harpoon traps are placed right into the active tunnels. To figure out which tunnels are active, press down a bit of a raised ridge and check back the next day – if it’s pushed back up again, you know it’s an active tunnel. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for setting the traps, and be sure to check them at least twice a day.
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Use Mole Repellents
Castor oil-based repellent granules are kind to the moles and won’t harm your soil, and are a really humane option. When you spread them over the lawn and water them in, they make the yard a place that moles don’t want to be. Repellents work best if you use them as a preventative measure, or if you have some problem areas that you want to protect. Reapply after every big rain.
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Stop Feeding The Mole
Since moles are primarily drawn to lawns with lots of grubs and earthworms, treating your yard for grubs can make it way less appealing to them. Use a grub control product in late spring or early summer when the grubs are near the surface. This won’t get rid of the moles overnight, but it will discourage them from hanging around for the long-term.
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Install Underground Barriers
When you’ve got a small garden or flower bed that moles are threatening, putting up some wire mesh barrier around the edges of the bed – at least 2 feet deep – can keep them from burrowing in. It’s a bit of a chore, but it blocks those pests from getting to your plants for good, and you don’t need to use any chemicals in the process.
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Try Sonic Repellers a Go
Moles aren’t too fond of vibrations, so sonic repellers that use battery power or solar power are worth a try. These devices send out a vibration that’s supposed to discourage moles from hanging around, and it might even work if you use them in combination with other methods. Just keep in mind the results can be a bit hit or miss, as moles can get used to the vibrations over time – so don’t count on them as a long-term solution.
When All Else Fails: Getting a Mole Exterminator
Sometimes moles are just too persistent, or the problem has gone on for so long that nothing you try on your own is going to fix it. If you’ve been trying DIY methods like traps and repellents for a while now, and you haven’t seen much of an improvement, or your lawn has taken some serious damage, then its time to call in the experts – a local mole extermination service.
Professional mole exterminators bring tools and knowledge that you probably wont have access to on your own. They do a thorough job of mapping out the mole tunnels, telling active from dormant tunnels and figuring out just how bad the problem is. They also use super targeted baiting systems, like special kinds of poison baits that look like worms and get placed right inside the active tunnels – much more effective than general purpose repellents.
Another big advantage of using a pro is safety. Some extermination products can be pretty hazardous if you use them wrong – for your family, your pets, or local wildlife. A licensed pest control pro knows exactly how to use whatever treatment is called for and where to use it, so you can bet that the job gets done safely.
Need a Mole Exterminator in St Paul, MN?
If you live in the Twin Cities area and are having a mole problem that just wont quit, then finding a good exterminator in St Paul, MN is where you need to turn. The local climate with all its frost cycles, moist soil and earthworms makes for a perfect molesong for moles throughout spring and summer.
An exterminator with experience working in St Paul will know the local soil conditions and have some idea what to expect when it comes to mole activity in the area. They’ll also know seasonal mole behavior patterns and how to go about an extermination job in a way that fits the local environment.
When you’re looking for a pest control service in St Paul, you should be looking for companies that are certified to work in Minnesota, offer a guarantee on their service, do a full inspection of your lawn before they start and use what are called Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques – that means they try to balance getting rid of the moles with keeping the environment as safe as possible.
Don’t delay. Reputable pest control services in St Paul can usually get on your lawn in a few business days and come up with a plan to get rid of the moles for good.
Preventing Future Mole Infestations
You’ve finally dealt with your current mole problem – whether you did it yourself or called in the pros – but prevention is now top of the list. Keeping up with lawn care is a big part of the battle. Regularly mowing the grass at a decent height and not overwatering (which brings grubs and worms out of the ground) are good starting points. You might even want to consider a once a year grub treatment to get ahead of the problem.
Planting some mole-repelling plants around the garden borders can also help keep them away. Daffodils, marigolds and alliums work well because they release chemicals that moles just don’t like. Applying some castor oil repellent at the start of each spring season is another trick you can use to keep them at bay.
Getting a follow up inspection from your local pest control company every spring is a smart idea, especially if you’ve had problems with moles in the past. Catching it early keeps things from getting out of hand and turning into a full-blown infestation.
Final Thoughts
Dealing with moles is all about being proactive and having a multi-pronged approach. For a minor problem, you might be able to handle it yourself with a trap, some repellents, and a grub treatment. But if you’ve got a bad case of moles, or they keep coming back, you’re going to need the pros.
If you live in the Twin Cities, getting a local pest control companies on board is a real plus. They’ve got the local knowledge and top notch equipment that you just can’t buy off the shelf. And let’s face it, acting fast is usually the best bet.
Don’t let moles run your life outside. With a bit of know-how and some help when you need it, you can get your lawn back and keep it mole-free for good.
