MN Wild Animal Damage Control | Animal Clean-Up

Managing Wild Animal Damage Moles

BIOLOGY AND BEHAVIOR

Moles live underground and inhabit the lawns of residential homes, golf courses, cemeteries, and parks, as well as fallow fields, forest edges, or pastures where moist, sandy loam soils are common and digging is easy. Three species of moles are native to Virginia:

Minnesota Wild Animal Mole Management

How to Get Rid of Moles

 Mole Control

Can’t figure out why your home or office flowerbeds are all torn up?  Sounds like you may have a mole problem!

Moles (Scalepus spp.) are not rodents, but relatives of the insectivores (insect eaters) such as shrews and hedgehogs.  In their search for food, moles burrow in lawns, meadows, stream banks, and open woodlots, creating elaborate underground tunnels.  They feed mainly on earthworms and insect larvae (grubs).  Only rarely seen above ground, moles are 4 to 9 inches long, including the tail, with long dark gray or brown fur.  Eyes are tiny, like a pinhead, and the tail and feet are usually pink.  They have no visible ears.  There are seven species of moles in the United States, and some species may be protected by law.

Minnesota Mole Control Minneapolis

MN Wild Animal Management

When it comes to moles tearing up your lawn its personal, isn’t it? Almost like they’re taunting you with their fresh runs each morning, challenging you to stop them somehow and it can be seriously intimidating when you can’t.

Are Ground Moles Driving You Nuts?

Moles can drive you nuts! If you’re like most homeowners, you’re probably confused by all of the conflicting “advice” on mole control. You believe every rumor, home remedy or control method is worth trying. In fact, chemicals and home remedies (including castor oil derivatives like Mole Med and grub controls) are not only ineffective when dealing with moles, they allow the animals time to establish and become real problems.

Animal Control Minneapolis MN | Wild Animal Removal

Are You A Homeowner With A Mole Problem?

Are you infuriated with the moles ruining your lawn and flower beds? We understand how moles can drive you insane. The main problem with moles is the tunnels they create. Most moles dig tunnels close to the surface of the ground which can damage vegetation. Since moles don’t hibernate, they are continually on the hunt for earthworms, insects, small mammals and other food sources. With a large appetite to satisfy, moles dig constantly to find more food creating endless amount of tunnels. You can imagine that without proper pest control, moles can and will be a serious “lawn hazard.” Due to their digging habits, they are often underground making it quite difficult to identify whether or not if you truly have a mole problem. If you’re noticing evidence of raised tunnels and large mounds, moles are present without a doubt. Here are a few thing you may not have known.

Moles and Voles – Identification, Control, Removal and Exclusion

Moles and Voles – Control and Removal

Moles, Gophers and Voles are sometimes grouped into the same category, but in fact, there are distinct differences between moles, gophers and voles.

Sometimes it’s difficult to identify burrowing animals that have been damaging yards or gardens. They may be nocturnal or so elusive that we never see them. Nevertheless, identifying the animal is an essential step toward controlling or managing the damage.

Minneapolis and St Paul Minnesota Mole Vole and Gopher Removal

Animal Control Minneapolis MN | Remove Moles, Voles and Gophers

A number of rodents are known to burrow beneath the earth to build nests. Some construct elaborate tunnels through which they travel, while others live in simple, excavated holes in the ground. Among burrowing rodents are gophers, moles and voles. The burrowing habits of these rodents can cause considerable damage to lawns and gardens as well as commercial farming operations.

Most animals that are detrimental to your garden can be kept away with a simple fence. But there are those small, burrowing critters that just cannot be blocked. To get rid of an infestation of moles, voles, gophers or other burrowing varmints, you will need to destroy the existing population. Their destructive activity could cause concern to any lawn-loving Minnesotan.

Mole Removal Experts of Minneapolis and St Paul Minnesota

Mole Control MN

Moles (Scalepus spp.) are not rodents, but relatives of the insectivores (insect eaters) such as shrews and hedgehogs. In their search for food, moles burrow in lawns, meadows, stream banks, and open woodlots, creating elaborate underground tunnels. They feed mainly on earthworms and insect larvae (grubs). Only rarely seen above ground, moles are 4 to 9 inches long, including the tail, with long dark gray or brown fur. Eyes are tiny, like a pinhead, and the tail and feet are usually pink. They have no visible ears. There are seven species of moles in the United States, and some species may be protected by law.

Animal Control Minneapolis | Wild Animal Removal | Remove Moles

Mole Control MN

Moles (Scalepus spp.) are not rodents, but relatives of the insectivores (insect eaters) such as shrews and hedgehogs. In their search for food, moles burrow in lawns, meadows, stream banks, and open woodlots, creating elaborate underground tunnels. They feed mainly on earthworms and insect larvae (grubs). Only rarely seen above ground, moles are 4 to 9 inches long, including the tail, with long dark gray or brown fur. Eyes are tiny, like a pinhead, and the tail and feet are usually pink. They have no visible ears. There are seven species of moles in the United States, and some species may be protected by law.

Mole Removal Minneapolis and St Paul MN

Mole Risks in Your Home and Property

Moles don’t care that there destroying your nice manicured lawn. They also don’t care how much time and money you have invested to having a nice manicured yard.  The fact is that approx. 85% of a moles diet consists of earthworms; the worms naturally enrich your lawn through aeration. They are in your lawn because of the ample supply of earthworms. Earthworms are attracted to soil loaded with nutrients, and the more you take care of your lawn, the more appealing it is to worms.

Control Your Mole In Minnesota Part 3

Control Your Mole In Minnesota Part 3

Moles are active day and night throughout the year, but they are most active near the earth’s surface during the spring and fall on damp days or following rain showers.  When the ground surface becomes frozen in the winter, or very dry during the summer, moles use only the deeper burrows.  Daily peak activity periods are during the morning hours, although moles may be seen working off and on throughout the day and night.

Mating occurs during February and March, with a single litter of three to five young born later in the spring following a six-week gestation period.  Young moles grow rapidly and leave the nest to fend for themselves at about one month of age.

Biology and Reproduction

Adult weight:	4 ounces.
Total length:	7 inches.
Color:	Grayish-brown.
Gestation:	42 days.
Litter size:	Three to five.
Litter number:	One litter per year, born March to early April.
Weaning:	1 month.

Mole Control by Trapping

Trapping is the most reliable method of mole control.  The key to success is patience, practice, and persistence.  Moles have an uncanny ability to detect and spring improperly set traps.  So place traps carefully, and keep trying until experience leads to success.

When and Where to Trap. Generally, trapping is easiest and most effective during the spring and fall, when mole activity is at a peak.  Once mole activity is noticed, control efforts should begin as quickly as possible to keep damage to a minimum.  Also, trapping in the early spring can eliminate pregnant females, thereby reducing the likelihood of having to contend with a family of moles.

If you have seen indentations in your lawn, or small mounds and are not sure what they are, it is time to call your Minnesota Wild Animal Management representative.

Biology and Behavior

Adult weight:	3-4 ounces.
Total length:	6-8 inches.
Color:	Gray to silvery-gray.
Gestation:	42 days.
Litter size:	3-5.
Life span:	3 years.