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Moles and the Utter Destruction of Your Yard

Moles are infuriating. Frustrating. Hard to get rid of. Their constant quest for food means non-stop tunneling. Their digging creates tunnels to trip over. As if that's not enough, they destroy everything in their wake, including your favorite plants. Getting rid of the infestation starts with understanding what makes them tick.

Understanding Moles and Their Behaviors:

• Diet and Behavior: Moles are driven by their appetite. Some believe that the moles are eating their plant roots. Technically, they are hunting for grubs and worms - with grubs being a particular favorite. They damage the plant roots from underneath the earth while pursuing a meal. Moles are not vegetarians - they're omnivores. And they don't crave your grass or plants but eat it only because it's in their way. If you see plant damage, there's another reason for it.
• Signs of Mole Activity: You'll quickly notice how continuous digging causes raised ridges and small soil mounds. You may also have brown or yellow grass around those areas, as they are destroying the grass's roots. To be fair, the tunneling loosens the soil, helping to aerate it. This activity allows water and air to penetrate the soil better.

How to Dissuade Moles from Your Yard:

1. Good Lawn Care Practices: Keep your lawn healthy. Cut your grass at the proper height for its type. Water your lawn as needed. Don't overwater; a wet environment can attract more grubs to your yard.
2. Lawn Treatments: Fertilize the grass to help it bounce back from mole damage. Apply grub controllers - you'll remove their favorite snack.
3. Physical Barriers: Install underground fencing around gardens to deter moles. Fences should be buried at least 24" deep with 6" sticking out above ground level.

Some of my lawn care clients have tried ultrasonic devices before calling me for help. A hundred percent of the time, clients commented about how the mole stakes were totally ineffective. An article from Michigan State University Extension called these vibrating devices "ineffective however can be very decorative."

Moles in your yard can be incredibly frustrating. However, you can minimize the harm to your yard by these underground tunnelers with these best practices. And a whole lot of patience.

Randy Tayloe is a lawn care and gardening expert and the operator of Tayloe's Lawn Care Services, LLC, in Aulander, NC. You can connect with him on Facebook or LinkedIn for additional gardening and lawn care tips.