Omaha, NE – Ideal For Moles

The moist, warm soils of Nebraska are home for hundreds of beneficial critters, such as Moles and humus producing insects. However while making lawns and garden lush these beneficial animals are the prime food for the soil dwelling mole.

Moles are small mammals with stout bodies. They have very well developed forelimbs for “swimming” through the soil. The mole has no visible ears or eyes, and is covered with fine grayish-brown velvet fur. It is insectivorous and mainly eats live insects and worms. Very seldom do moles eat vegetation, therefore poison baits afford little or no control.

These animals remain below ground, burrowing both deep and just below the surface, leaving sod raised. Lawns become uneven and feel spongy underfoot. Small mounds with no open holes may be present.

Most Active In Spring And Fall

They usually burrowing at dusk and near dawn. In the spring, most of their movement is for mating rather than feeding. They prefer soft soil that has some moisture, so often move into irrigated lawns from drier surrounding areas.

There are many “mole control remedies” on the market. Trapping is the most practical means of mole elimination for the homeowner. Commercially available harpoon or choker traps work well. These traps must be placed over active run and left for several days.

When the ground dries out in the summer (or when it freezes in the winter), earthworms and soil dwelling insects remain deeper in the ground – and so do the rodents. This behavior makes control difficult because one can never be certain that the moles are truly eliminated even though they are not making surface runs.

Moles Are Not Rodents Like Rats And Mice

They can be baited using rodent foods. Poison peanuts or other grain baits won’t work since moles don’t feed on seeds, alfalfa pellets or any of the typical baits that are sold to ‘kill rodents’ even though some are touted as a control for ‘rodents and moles’.

People also should beware of false claims about schemes to drive moles away. Many books and magazines having to do with gardening and landscaping have references or advertising concerning bizarre strategies to control moles. These include putting mothballs, human hair, razor blades, or chewing gum in their tunnels, or using pinwheels or ultrasonic devices to scare them away. The reality is that these just do not work.

Two Methods Of Effective Control

•  (1) to use a bait that they are attracted to.
• (2) to physically remove them. A fairly recent bait that has been proven to be effective is packaged and sold in the form of a worm. The attractive smell and taste that is incorporated into the worm, together with Bromethalin (the active ingredient that poisons the mole), makes for a lethal combination.