Getting rid of Moles

Fortunately not everyone has problems with garden Moles, but those who do, know how frustrating they can be. We all try from time to time to solve Mole problems ourselves, I mean, how hard can it be to get rid of a Mole? Well, if you’ve not had a problem before then this is something that may not mean a great deal to you, but if you have then you know what I’m talking about. Jasper Carrot’s famous sketch about Getting rid of Moles describes this only too well, as much as its very funny, its a little to close to home for some of us.

Problems caused by Moles

Graden Moles, despite being small in size are capable of causing a whole host of problems which can last for many months, even after the Mole has gone. They are able to burrow long distances everyday, deposting soil on the lawn that you’ve spent many hours tending to. Each day more and more molehills appear turning you precious garden into what resembles a building site. Why do Moles create these Molehills you may ask? Molehills are the result of excess soil excavated from the tunnels that the Mole must remove, and guess what they dump it on your lawn!

They create havoc in your flower beds, especially in the spring. Moles wont eat your plants or their roots, but just after planting all you bedding plants and watering them in, along they come and push the young plants over exposing their roots. Worse still, if you push them back in you damage the tunnels and the Moles come back and push them back out. They do this bacause that’s where their food is. New compost, and plenty of water brings the worms up, thats why the Moles are there. Unfortunately, the more you water the garden the more active the worms are providing more food for the Moles.

In short, we cant’t always tolerate the problems they cause whether its in your garden, on a golf course or on your estate grounds, so something needs to be done!

Can we prevent Moles?

There are a number of things that can be done to prevent Moles but most of them are impracticle. Physical barriers would be the most effective although this would require major excavation to be worthwhile. Consider the reason they are there, its all about food. If there is no food the chances are they wont be there. There main food is earth worms which we dont really want to get rid of and there are legalities surrounding this approach.

The next thing to consider is water, watering brings up the worms. This is why typically the tunnels run allong walls, fences and paths, basically anywhere that the ground remains moist. Even the drips of dew falling to the ground from a wire will be enough for the ground to be damper than elsewhere and may well end up being a permanent run for these little critters.

Consideration when watering the garden is important, the more you water the more you put your garden at risk, catch22 as you can see.

Getting rid of Moles

There are many ways to get rid of moles but only a few of them are worth considering. Quite simply you either remove them or use a chemical against them. Suggestions of the use of shotguns, ferrets and snares are not going to work.

So there are two clear legal options that can be considered, trapping or gassing.

Mole trapping is undertaken by skilled Molecatchers who have learnt the misterious art through years of practice. An experienced Molecatcher will start catching moles within 24 hours provided they trap the right tunnels. There is no surer way to deal with moles than catching them, you can see the result and know for sure that that little blighter will not be comming back.

Gassing, also known by some as special pellets is the alternative to this, however too many pest controllers do not carry this out correctly.
The gas used is dangerous, and in the wrong hands or misused this stuff “will” kill you. Whats more there is no antidote like there was when Strychnine was legal. The dangers that arise with the use of gas need very careful consideration so as not to cause risk to humans, pets and non target species. The disadvantage with gas aside from the health and safety aspect, is you have no idea what the result really is. Have they just gone elsewhere or are they dead?

All in all Mole problems affect us in different ways, but one thing you can be sure of is the ability of our own Professional Molecatcher, he will catch your moles and he will be able to prove this too you!