Are you starting to see molehills or dead grass on your lawn? If so, it’s time to start thinking about how to reclaim your yard from moles.

As cute as they may look, moles can do severe damage to your property. On top of making your lawn look unseemly, moles disrupt your root systems. In the long run, this may destroy your plants, grass, and trees.

The good news: there are plenty of ways to get rid of moles in your yard quickly. Here are three common mole pest control methods you can try.

Create an Unpleasant Environment

The most humane way to get rid of moles is to make your yard inhospitable to them. Moles are not fans of uncomfortable environments.

One way to help them decide to leave is to remove their food sources. Moles love grubs, which you can kill with milky spores or beneficial nematodes. For a faster solution, you can use insecticide instead.

You can also invest in a sonic spike. Once you insert it into the ground, the spike will emit electronic pulses that will constantly annoy moles. No worries, though: you won’t be able to hear any irritating sounds!

Another thing you can try is to create an artificial drought. Both moles and grubs enjoy damp soil, so keeping your lawn on the dry side will help a lot. An inch of water per week should be enough for most lawns.

Set up Mole Traps

If you’re dealing with a mole invasion, you may need a more reliable way to get rid of them. You can do that by setting up kill traps.

These traps come in several styles, such as choker traps, scissors traps, and harpoon traps. That said, they’re all designed specifically for killing moles. When used properly, they’ll be your best mole prevention method.

Most traps work best when they’re placed in or near active runways. You can find these runways by poking holes into the soil near the tunnels. If the hole isn’t there within two days, you’ve likely found a prime runway.

If you find the idea of killing moles unpleasant, you can try using live traps. That said, these traps are smaller and harder to use. You’ll also have to release the mole later, which some states prohibit.

Use Poison Baits

The fastest way of getting rid of backyard moles is to use poison baits. In general, though, you should only use poison as a last resort.

Poison baits often look like grubs and earthworms. If a mole eats one, it will likely die within 24 hours after ingestion. Their bodies will usually stay underground, saving you the trouble of disposing of them.

As effective as they are, poison baits include toxic chemicals that can harm the environment. For example, if a mole dies above the ground, it can present a risk of secondary poisoning for other animals.

Mole Pest Control Made Easy

As far as mole pest control goes, prevention is still the best cure. If you keep the grubs under control and don’t over-water your lawn, moles won’t bother you. If it’s too late for that, focus on the methods described above.

Of course, you can also have professionals deal with your mole problem! Contact us here to learn more about our mole control services.

Moles vs voles! It’s a battle between two pesky critters that can make their homes in your backyard. Moles and voles have similar names, and their behaviors sometimes match up too. There are over 400 mammal species in the USA, so it’s no wonder many people need a little extra guidance. 

But what is the difference between these two creatures? It’s worth knowing a thing or two about each creature to help you learn prevention measures. Knowing what to look out for will allow you to keep your yard safe from moles and voles alike.

Want to learn more about how these creatures differ and what to do if you spot one? There’s no need to keep digging; you’re already in the right place! Read on to find out more about the differences. 

What Do Moles Look Like?

Moles are small furry creatures about four to seven inches long. They are dark brown almost all over, with two notable features: they have paddle-shaped claws used for digging and long pink noses. You won’t see a mole’s eyes since they’re small and generally hidden in fur. 

You’ll rarely see moles in the flesh. They spend almost their entire lives underground, only coming to the surface occasionally when they need to collect leaves and twigs for nesting material.

What Do Voles Look Like?

Although they may look similar to moles at first glance, voles are very different to moles. They are slightly larger than moles, measuring between five and eight inches. Their fur is a dark gray or brown, a similar color to a mole’s.

Moles look a little like mice, with shiny black eyes and short tails. They spend more time above ground than moles and may be seen quickly darting around your lawn as they go hunting for food. 

Mole vs Vole Tunnels

Both moles and voles dig tunnels. But both dig in quite different ways.

Mole tunnels can be quite elaborate, stretching out for many feet underground. Moles dig at a rate of about 18 feet an hour, and they can live in the same tunnel network for generations before moving on.

These tunnel networks normally sit about a foot underground, although some temporary tunnels will be built closer to the surface. The tunnel networks can contain special chambers for raising young and storing food. 

Voles move in after moles have gone. But they expand the tunnel network for their own uses, creating exit holes throughout the tunnel. These exit holes are smaller than molehills and can pop up all over your lawn, as voles live in large colonies. 

Moles vs Voles

Moles and voles have a lot of differences, but there’s one similarity in the moles vs voles battle: they can cause plenty of damage to your lawn. If you spot signs of their presence, it’s time to call in the experts.

If you’re wondering how to catch moles, we can help. We offer a wide range of pest control services. Contact us today to find out more about how we can help.

We may not see them every day, but there are a whole lot of ground moles burrowing away underground. These are hungry critters, sometimes eating over half their body weight each day.

Many people want to know the answer to the question “what do ground moles eat?” After all, this might help you get to the bottom of why moles are tearing up your yard!

If you want to know a little bit more about the lifecycle of moles, you’ve come to the right place. Read on to find out everything you need to know. 

What Do Ground Moles Eat?

The mole diet consists of bugs, bugs, and more bugs! Whether it’s earthworms, beetles, or millipedes, they love to snack on juicy insects. Bugs are easy for them to find down in the dark soil and they provide plenty of protein too.

This means moles are carnivores. They only eat meat and wouldn’t even consider munching on cabbage or some tomatoes. 

Many people are under the misconception that moles eat plants. Some folks believe moles dig around in gardens because they’re after your plants. In fact, moles sometimes protect plants by eating dangerous bugs.  

That said, moles can cause damage to your plants with excessive digging. They can uproot plants and disturb seeds. 

How Do Moles Find Food?

Moles are almost entirely blind since they have little use for good eyesight underground. Instead, they find food by using their keen sense of smell. Think of the way a pet dog sniffs out treats without seeing them.

As moles go sniffing for bugs, they can cover quite a bit of ground. Their powerful digging claws will tear up the soil and molehills will appear across the grass. They use molehills to create traps for bugs, which can spoil your lawn. 

The Solitary Type

The good news is, if you’ve got a mole in your backyard, there are unlikely to be more than one or two of these critters in the area. Moles live alone and tend to give each other a wide berth.

On the downside, this means it may be quite difficult to find the mole that’s causing all the trouble. That’s why it’s a good idea to call in the experts to help. 

If you notice signs of a ground mole on your property, there’s no reason to delay calling out the professionals. 

Ground Mole Removal Services for Your Yard

We hope you now have the answer to the question “what do ground moles eat?” Moles can cause all kinds of problems if left to their own devices. Although they don’t eat your plants, their antics can be bad for your garden in other ways.

If you need to get moles out of your garden, it’s time to call in the professionals. We’ve got the experience and tools to help you out. Contact us today and find out more about our services. 

If you’re one of the 33% of people who tend to their lawns several times a week, the last thing you want is a mole ruining your hard work. When your garden gets disrupted by these little critters, it’s time for action.

The sooner you deal with a mole problem, the better. However, it can be difficult to tell how serious the situation is.

With the right information, you can determine whether you need to hire a professional or if you can handle the issue on your own. Here are some of the most common signs that your mole problem has gotten out of hand.

Holes in Your Garden

If a mole moves in, you might see signs of digging around your home. These holes are usually about an eighth of an inch wide. However, they can be smaller or much larger depending on how much work was done by the moles.

Underground Noises

Moles make a lot of noise in the ground, which can be deceiving for those who are not familiar with mole habits. They’re digging tunnels and pushing dirt around as they look for food, mates, and places to raise their young.

You can put your ear to the ground and hear their movements. Keep in mind that finding a mole isn’t always easy, but the noise will give you a good idea of where to look.

Detached Plants

When moles tunnel beneath a plant, they push it up in the process. If you see this happening with your plants, inspect their root systems and look for signs of mole damage. You may see small holes in random areas.

This is the most common indicator that moles are near your home.

Lots of Weeds

If you’re noticing a lot of weeds in your lawn and don’t remember planting any seeds recently, this may be a sign of mole activity. When moles dig, they disrupt your soil. Overturned soil makes an ideal environment for weeds to grow.

Numerous Earthworms

Earthworms are good for your garden because they make your soil more stable. However, where there are lots of earthworms, moles are probably not far away. They’re one of their favorite foods.

Moles push more earthworms to the surface during their digging. You’ll see an unusually large number of these creatures in your garden. They may even start appearing near your garage or doorway.

Get Rid of Your Mole Problem

As you can see, there are a lot of indicators that you might have moles in your yard. The first thing to do if you think you have moles is to check out the ground around your home for signs of digging. If this proves the case, then you have to act quickly.

If you spot a mole tunneling through your lawn, call Trap Your Moles immediately. We can set traps around your property and get rid of your mole problem once and for all.

The real estate market did pretty well in the last few years, with over 6 million existing home sales in 2021 alone. Of course, most homebuyers got inspections and looked for standard problems. They looked for issues with roofs, plumbing, electrical systems, and foundation.

Yet, most people don’t give as much thought to problems like animals in your yard or garden. Also, around 34 percent of 2021’s homebuyers were first-time homebuyers.

If that’s you, there’s a good chance you don’t know how to keep unwanted animals out of your yard. The good news is that our quick guide will help you keep animals from invading your lawn.

Animals that Dig

On the whole, you don’t want most animals living in your garden or your lawn. They’re often hard on vegetation and will frequently eat vegetables in a garden. Any animals living in your lawn or garden are also likely animals that dig.

All of those holes and tunnels can prove expensive to repair. Plus, they’re a hazard for your lawnmower and your feet. Some of the common digging animals you see in lawns include moles, groundhogs, raccoons, chipmunks, and squirrels.

Now that you know the common culprits, how do you keep them away?

Modify the Area

Animals aren’t particularly hard to understand. They want food, shelter, and water, preferably in close proximity to each other. If you’re struggling with animals if your yard or garden, odds are good that they’re finding at least two, if not all three, of those things.

For example, if you have a birdbath, it’s a great source of water. If you pull some sod and see grubs, you’ve identified the food source.

Getting rid of convenient water sources and treating a grub infestation makes your lawn and garden must less enticing.

Repellants and Deterrents

You can also use a variety of repellants and deterrents. For example, you can put up fencing or use chemical deterrents. Chemical deterrents can come in a retail or DIY form.

You can also use devices, such as sonic spikes and motion sensor lights, to discourage animals from taking up residence on your lawn.

Removal

Removal isn’t a DIY project, and it’s even against the law for homeowners to try in some locations. For the best results, you’ll want a professional pest removal service that specializes in digging animals. They’ll know the best options for capturing and removing your unwanted animal guests.

How to Keep Unwanted Animals Out of Your Yard? Consider Your Options

The problem of how to keep unwanted animals out of your yard has several potential answers. You can try to modify the areas to remove easy sources of food and water.

You can also employ a variety of deterrents and repellants that range from fencing to chemical repellants and motion-activated lights. If those methods fail, you’ll likely need professional pest removal services to deal with the problem.

TrapYourMoles.com offers pest removal services in Western Ohio, Eastern Indiana, and Northern Kentucky. For more information or schedule an appointment, contact TrapYourMoles.com today.

81% of Americans have a lawn. They ranked it as the second most important feature when buying a home, only behind a renovated kitchen. Any pest that ruins this important area is bound to get on their nerves, and one of the most common is the mole. 

There are at least 42 species, and they live in every continent except South America and Antarctica. At least 7 of them live in the United States. 

The star-nosed mole gets its name from its star-nosed snout, and the hairy-tailed mole gets its name from its hairy tail. The most common is the Eastern mole, otherwise known as the ground mole.

What does a ground mole look like? That question isn’t as easy to answer because it doesn’t have a stand-out physical feature like its cousins.

Read on to find out how to identify these pests and how to get rid of them once they enter your yard.

What Does a Ground Mole Look Like?

Looking up pictures of ground moles can help you know what to look for. They’re only 6-8 inches long and weigh less than a pound. Their fur is brow to dark gray. They have a snout protruding from their face.

One of the most distinguishing ground mole features is their feet. They’re large and paddle-like with large claws. They help the mole dig through the soil to find insects and worms to eat.

How Do I Know If I Have Them?

If you think you have an infestation, your first question should be “what does a ground mole look like?” The next one should be “what are the signs of mole damage in my yard?”

Ground moles dig their tunnels close to the surface. You may be able to see them, and they cause dead patches of grass. 

You may also be able to spot a molehill. They’re shaped like a volcano, only about 6 inches tall, and are connected to mole tunnels.

These tunnels and molehills can even increase the number of weeds in your yard. They uproot the existing root structures of your yard and allow weeds to thrive.

Ground mole signs also resemble the signs of voles. They’re rodents and are smaller with rounded ears. They also dig tunnels, but the major difference is that they eat plants instead of insects. This causes even more damage to your lawn, plants, and trees. Call a pest control expert to determine which one you have.

Who Should I Call to Get Rid of Them?

What does a ground mole look like? They don’t have a star-shaped nose or a hairy tail, but they do have a unique appearance.

One of the most notable ground mole characteristics is their flat, paddle-like feet that help them dig. They also have dark brown or gray fur and a protruding snout.

Look for the signs of their work in your yard. Check for tunnels, molehills, weeds, and uprooted plants.

Trap Your Moles can get rid of any ground mole infestation. Contact us for mole removal today.

Animal attacks are a major fear among humans, mostly due to movies, games, and various stories that depict animals as vicious, mindless, killing machines with no real reason for their actions. This image couldn’t be further from the truth, though. In reality, the animals most likely to seriously harm you are ones most of us wouldn’t expect.

The deadliest animals in the United States, for instance, include cows, deer, dogs, and bees. The good news is that some dangerous or even just pesky animals can be dealt with by calling for animal removal.

Much like the animals we fear, there are many misconceptions about animal control that continue to persist. We’ll discuss and dispel them in this article.

Animal Control Only Catches Unruly Animals

In addition to helping get rid of pests, animal control also picks up strays and takes them to shelters. There’s a persistent belief that all stray animals were abandoned because they are misbehaving.

Behavioral issues are the most commonly-cited reason for animal surrender, this covers a lot of situations, many of which aren’t really the animal’s fault. The biggest is difficulty training the animal.

Let’s face it, training a cat or dog isn’t easy, and many people underestimate the amount of dedication it takes. In some cases, the pet runs away and the owners can’t find it. Cats are notorious for this, sometimes running away for days, weeks, or even months at a time and then returning whenever they feel like it.

Animal Control Will Only Catch Stray Animals

Animal Control does a lot more than just catching former pets. Anybody who’s ever had an unwelcome wild animal in their home knows this. 

The problem is that getting rid of animal intruders isn’t easy. Whether your problem is squirrels, moles, or even a raccoon, kicking them out is often much harder than it seems. 

If you find a raccoon in your house, for instance, chances are it isn’t alone. Raccoons often sneak into people’s attics to raise young.

Putting Animals in Shelters Just Guarantees Them an Unhappy Life

This idea is blatantly false and does nothing but discourage less wealthy people from adopting. Being rich doesn’t make you a better pet owner, and most people benefit from having a pet.

Adopting animals is often more affordable than breeding them, but that money isn’t taken from any vital parts of adoption. Shelters still run background checks on potential owners and ensure that the pet isn’t too aggressive to adopt. The only thing that’s been slashed is the adoption fee because the shelter is a nonprofit and is more about helping animals than making money.

Animal Removal and Rescue

Animal control has gotten a bad reputation over the years, and it doesn’t deserve it. Animal Control workers catch animals so the animals can go to a shelter and get a chance at adoption and a better, safer life.

The same is true for animal removal. Humans and wild animals are an active danger to each other, so it’s better for both species if they’re separated.

Do you have moles in your yard? We can tell you what to look for.

If you live anywhere in the Eastern half of the United States, you’ve seen chipmunks around. The tiny, striped critters belong to the squirrel family, and although they may be cute, they can be a nuisance. They can also cause serious damage to your property if they’re left unchecked. But how do you recognize signs of chipmunk damage?

Chipmunks multiply quickly, and they spend most of their time burrowing underground and foraging for food. One or two chipmunks might seem like cute visitors in your yard, but once they start to breed, their numbers can quickly get out of control. Their destructive nature can cause damage to your yard, structures on your property, and your garden.

If you’ve seen chipmunks around your yard, and you think you might have a problem, keep reading for our top signs of chipmunk damage.

Holes

The biggest sign you have chipmunk damage is the presence of the holes they leave behind in your yard. Chipmunks spend most of their time on the ground or burrowing underground, and they can tunnel quite extensively. Chipmunk tunnels can stretch between 10 and 30 feet long, and can extend to 3 feet underground. The entrances to the tunnels may be difficult to spot unless you have a lot of them.

The entrances and exits to chipmunk burrows are small holes between 2-3 inches in diameter. You won’t see any piles of soil around the hole, just the hole itself. In addition to the holes, you may also see damage from their tunnel systems along the foundation of your home or other structures on your property. They like to burrow close to trees, shrubs, or other structures for protection from predators, and your home falls into that category.

Chipmunk tunnels can also disrupt sidewalks, patios, and retention walls. Anywhere that they have burrowed, they will weaken the ground underneath the structure. If it becomes too weak, the structure can cave in on itself or become damaged.

Piles of Food

Another sign you may have an infestation of chipmunks in your yard is the presence of food piles. Especially close to winter, chipmunks will stockpile seeds, nuts, and grains in hidden areas so they can access them easily.

Chipmunks don’t hibernate in the winter, although they do enter a deep sleep state for long periods of time. They will wake up periodically to eat from their food stores before going back to sleep. You might notice signs of these stockpiles in your flowerpots, flowerbeds, or other spots in your garden.

Uprooted Bulbs

While chipmunks mainly eat nuts, seeds, mushrooms, and berries, part of their diet also consists of plant bulbs. If you have a garden full of plants, they may be in trouble with a chipmunk infestation. One of the first signs you have unwanted visitors in your yard will be that you find the bulbs of your flowers and other plants uprooted and chewed on.

Ruined Plants/Garden

Chipmunks will also eat vegetables and fruit, so if you have a small garden, watch out! One of the other major signs of chipmunk damage is a chewed-up garden. An infestation of chipmunks will lead to a ruined garden quickly, especially if the chipmunks multiply out of control.

Tracks or Scat

Finally, if chipmunks have managed to evade your sight, you may notice other signs they have made a home in your yard. At the entrances to their tunnels or nearby their food sources, check the ground carefully. Chipmunk tracks are tiny, with 4 front toes and 5 hind toes. You may also see chipmunk scat around as well. Their droppings are small and resemble rat or mouse droppings, which appear like tiny, oblong pellets that taper on the ends. The droppings are no bigger than a centimeter in length, so they can be easily missed if you’re not looking carefully.

How Do I Get Rid of Chipmunks?

Once you’ve determined that you have a chipmunk problem, they aren’t likely to go away on their own. If chipmunks have decided that your yard is safe and has enough food for them, it’s difficult to get them to move on. We always recommend calling expert wildlife trappers, such as Trap Your Moles, to trap and remove chipmunks from your property. However, there are a couple of things you can do to prevent the chipmunks from causing as much damage to your yard until you can get rid of them with the help of professionals.

Protect Your Foundation

The biggest threat that chipmunks provide to homeowners is the chance of a ruined foundation due to chipmunk burrows. You can purchase L-shaped guards to put around the edges of your foundation. These guards are designed to prevent dogs from digging up fences, but they can also work to deter chipmunks from tunneling underneath your foundation.

Protect Your Plant Bulbs

If chipmunks are chomping on your flower bulbs, you can plant them underneath wire mesh covers to deter chipmunks from digging. Make sure the opening is large enough for the plant to sprout through but small enough that chipmunks won’t be able to dig them up.

Call the Expert Chipmunk Trappers at the First Signs of Chipmunk Damage

Preventive strategies will only go so far if you have a chipmunk problem. The best way to get rid of chipmunks for good is to call in the experts with Trap Your Moles. We trap pest wildlife like moles and chipmunks so you can get your yard back from their damage. Get in touch with us today to set up your pest removal.

If you’ve ever walked outside and felt dread at the sight of dirt mounds and dead grass, then you’ve likely encountered the Eastern Ground Mole. Small, furry, and destructive, the Eastern Ground Mole is native to Cincinnati and the eastern half of the United States. It tunnels in yards everywhere, and no homeowner is safe from a potential mole infestation.

Luckily, professional mole trapping services like Trap Your Moles are experts in trapping these pesky critters. But what exactly are they? What are their habits? What do they like to eat? And why did they choose your yard instead of your neighbor’s?

If you’ve ever wanted to know more about the Eastern Ground Mole, then this blog is your perfect opportunity. After all, knowing the enemy is the key to winning the war against moles. Read on to learn about the Eastern Ground Mole.

Physical Description

Eastern Ground Moles are small mammals with a body length of approximately 6.3 inches (16 centimeters). They have soft, gray-brown fur and an elongated, potato-shaped body. The mole’s defining characteristics are its large front feet with shovel-like claws for digging, its pointed snout, and its lack of visible eyes and ears.

Moles are mostly blind, but their fused eyes can sense light and dark. Their hearing is fairly sharp, however. They also have a short, thick tail that they use almost like a backup camera. The tail is covered in fur, and they use their sense of touch as they crawl backward through tunnels.

The Eastern Ground Mole may look like mice or rats, but it doesn’t belong to the rodent family. Moles are more closely related to bats and belong to a classification of mammals called insectivores.

Diet

Being insectivores, Eastern Ground Moles primarily eat insects, although their favorite food is earthworms. Worms, grubs, and larvae of other insects are typically all on the menu for Eastern Ground Moles. They’re voracious eaters, consuming between 25-50% of their body weight in food per day!

Contrary to popular belief, moles typically don’t eat much vegetation. Their tunnels can uproot gardens and other plant life, but they’re not the critters usually found snacking on your vegetables or flowers.

Habitat

Eastern Ground Moles spend most of their lives underground, and they can be found all throughout the eastern United States, Canada, and Mexico. They have the largest habitat distribution of any mole subspecies. They tend to favor soft, loamy soils in moist areas, which makes their digging easier.

They dig both shallow and deep tunnels, which are used for different purposes. Shallow tunnels are for foraging for food, while the deeper tunnels are living spaces.

Breeding

Eastern Ground Moles are typically solitary creatures, but they come together to breed in late winter or early spring, with litters of between two to five young being born between April and June. The gestation period is around 45 days, and the baby moles mature and leave their mother after about a month.

Behavior

Eastern Ground Moles spend the majority of their time digging tunnels to find food. They’re active all day long and all year round, but usually are the most active in the mornings and evenings and are more noticeable in the warmer months. Moles do not hibernate during the winter, however. Instead, they burrow deeper underground, where the soil is less likely to be stiff or frozen from the cold.

Digging deeper down, however, means less oxygen. Eastern Ground Moles have specialized red blood cells that are able to tolerate higher levels of carbon dioxide, so they can survive with lower oxygen levels than other species.

Mole tunnels tend to follow manmade structures, like fences or the foundation of a house. As they dig, Eastern Ground Moles push dirt up to the surface in mounds called molehills. Their shallow tunnels disrupt the root systems of grasses and other plants, as well, as leaving dead patches of grass and plants in their wake.

These tunnels aren’t simply destructive. Moles are quite crafty with their tunnels, building specialized chambers in their tunnels for sleeping, breeding, and raising young. The tunnels can also be used as traps for their prey. Moles can dig new burrows at a rate of up to 18 feet per hour, which means your yard could be home to a network of mole tunnels within a few mere weeks.

Do I need Eastern Ground Mole Trapping Services?

So now you know a little bit more about Eastern Ground Moles. But how do you know if you have a mole problem that needs a professional?

Mole damage can be subtle at first, but it will become more obvious over time as the moles continue digging. We rounded up all the top signs that you need mole trapping services here, but here’s a brief overview:

• Small piles of dirt strewn throughout your lawn, otherwise known as molehills.
• Dead patches of yellow or brown grass, usually in a line following the path of a tunnel.
• Raised lines of dirt just under your lawn, following the path of a tunnel.
• Uprooted plants, especially in gardens or up close to the foundation of your house.
• Visible tunnel entrances in the ground.
• In severe cases, uneven sidewalks or driveways, as moles tunnel underneath the concrete. The ground below can become unstable and make your pathways unsafe to walk on.
• You see moles! This is more likely if you have outdoor pets that hunt, but you still may be able to see the small, furry bodies digging at the entrance of their tunnels.

If you notice any of these signs, time is of the essence. The Eastern Ground Mole can be dealt with, but the most effective method of removing them from your yard and your life is to trap them. Trap Your Moles has been serving Cincinnati and the Tri-State area for years. Our mole-trapping experts are always ready to help you take back your yard. Get in touch with us today to set up your first consultation appointment.

The eastern ground mole lurks underground in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, looking for its new home. Once it finds a hospitable yard full of its favorite foods, it’s likely to stick around. In fact, once moles have made their home in your yard, they aren’t likely to leave on their own. Instead, you’ll need to have them removed before the mole damage problem gets worse.

Mole damage can be widespread and severe, including collapsed above-ground pools, broken driveways, and more. As the moles reproduce, their damage increases, costing you more money in repairs and making your yard an eyesore.

The best way to get rid of moles is to know the early signs of mole damage, so you can act fast. Read our handy guide below for the most common signs of mole damage, so you know what to look for.

Dead or Dying Patches of Grass

Did your lawn suddenly change from lush and green to dry, damaged, and patchy? If so, this could be a sign of mole damage.

Moles dig tunnels underneath your grass, disrupting the root systems and topsoil underneath your lawn. With the roots disrupted, the lawn on top of the surface dies, leading to uneven brown patches along the tunnel’s path.

Look carefully at your lawn if you notice dead patches. A small, concentrated area may not be a sign of moles. But if you have dead patches of grass in multiple areas or in what appears to be a direct tunnel path, you may be dealing with a mole infestation.

Visible Tunnels on the Surface

Along with dead patches of grass, you may notice raised tunnels as a sign of mole damage. Moles uproot plants and grass as they dig just below the surface. Your lawn may appear raised or bumpy along these paths.

You can also use visible tunnels to determine the severity of a potential mole damage problem. Moles tend to dig more tunnels rather than using the same ones. So, you’ll notice an increase in the raised tunnels and dead grass as the moles multiply and expand their territory. More tunnels mean more moles, so you’d want to act quickly to eliminate them before the problem gets any worse.

Molehills or Mounds of Dirt

Molehills and mounds of dirt may not be as common as other signs of mole damage, but you still need to be on the lookout for them. Molehills occur when moles force dirt upwards as they dig under the ground’s surface. As they push the dirt behind them to dig deeper, the dirt becomes raised in small piles.

You won’t notice huge mounds of dirt, however. Molehills are volcano-shaped piles about six inches tall. They’re also usually connected to the entrances of mole tunnel systems, which will be visible on the surface of your lawn.

An Increase in Weeds

Have you noticed more weeds sprouting in your lawn or garden? You may not connect this phenomenon to mole damage, but weeds can actually be an indication of moles in your yard.

As moles dig, they uproot grass and plants with their tunnels. This disruption of their root systems can allow weeds a chance to sprout. As more plants and grass are uprooted, more weeds may pop up in their place. If you don’t catch the mole problem in its early stages, your yard could quickly be overtaken by weeds and mole damage.

Visual Signs of Moles

Mole damage isn’t the only thing you need to look out for in your yard. If you suspect a mole problem, the largest sign will be when you spot the moles themselves. But what do you need to look for? How do you tell a mole apart from other yard pests?

The eastern ground mole is the most common mole species in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. They are small mammals with dark brown fur. They have potato-shaped bodies and are approximately seven inches long and weigh around four ounces. They have beady, black eyes that may be hard to spot due to how tiny they are. Moles also have pointed muzzles and wide, flipper-like feet used to dig tunnels.

Moles are most active during the spring and fall and during evenings or early mornings. You can also catch them more easily moving around after it rains or on a warm day. When the soil is moist and the ground is warmer, they’ll tend to make their way closer to the surface, instead of digging deeper underground.

If you spot moles in your yard, along with other visual signs of mole damage, you’re likely dealing with a mole infestation.

How Do I Prevent Mole Damage?

Getting rid of the moles once they move into your yard is the only surefire way to prevent future damage. However, there are some things you can do to prevent moles from finding your yard hospitable in the first place.

Moles like soft, damp soil. It’s easier to dig in and is home to their favorite foods—grubs and insect larvae that feed upon plant roots. You can take steps to make your soil dryer and less hospitable to insects by using mulch sparingly, and not over-watering. You can also introduce beneficial parasites like nematodes into your garden ecosystem to keep worm and grub populations under control. The less insects in your soil, the less likely moles are to make a home in your yard.

Get Rid of Mole Damage for Good

If you’ve noticed the above signs of mole damage, have tried all the preventatives, and you’re still dealing with a mole infestation, it’s time to call Trap Your Moles. We’ve been the Tri-State’s mole and pest removal experts for years. Get in touch with our trapping experts with our contact form, or give us a call. We can diagnose your mole problem and come up with a solution so you can say goodbye to mole damage permanently.