Yard moles range between six species that naturally live across North America and any one of those species could be destroying your lawn! If you have moles on your property and you need them gone, there are a few things to consider first.
Before you get started
Before you try to rid your lawn of moles yourself, look carefully at the yard mole to be sure it really is a mole and not another small animal. There are small endangered species in parts of North America and it’s a Federal offense to kill endangered species. Often times, homeowners have a natural aversion towards killing unnecessarily and will therefore using trapping methods to rid themselves of a serious mole problem. Trapping is just as effective as killing while it may take a day or two longer for a novice at trapping.
If you do decide to kill the moles that are causing a problem, be aware of your surrounding properties. It is illegal to discharge a firearm within certain distances from developed land! Often there are air-powered pellet guns that fit within the constraints of law that will dispatch a mole effectively. There are also traps that can be laid that will kill the mole such as glue traps and poisoned treats. At the rate that you’re laying traps to kill the moles in your yard, it will probably be just as easy to catch and release.
Removal Methods
The cheapest form of mole removal for small yard moles is shooting them dead. As stated, air-powered pellet guns can kill a mole if you’re a good shot. If you live on a large tract of land, small caliber firearms can be used for increased accuracy and killing power. Since a clear line of sight with the mole is required, a stake-out may be necessary to catch the offending animals out of the ground. Running water hosed into a mole’s underground burrows can be a good way to flush the animals out; don’t rely on it to drown them though – have a back-up means of dispatch close at hand.
Water and chemical flushes are arguably the easiest ways to remove moles from their underground hideaways. Since moles are typically nocturnal, the chances of you finding them during the day at a time when it’s easy to shoot them are not good. By flushing their habitats with water you can drive them out to be clubbed or shot! Chemical flushes can kill the little buggers in their sleep but these aren’t necessarily good for your lawn – especially if you have a garden in your backyard.
If the mole is very large the only possible way to kill it may be shooting it. Chemical flushes are only effective if the rodent ingests or inhales some of the water. If you’re a bad shot or if you don’t want to personally see the demise of the little furry guy, consider trapping to kill or release. Moles are only a nuisance while they’re on your property!