About Moles

There are six species of moles in North America. The Eastern Mole, Scalopus Aquaticus is the most common species in Iowa. Moles are insectivores. Their diet is made up of many insects. The main items on the menu are earthworms, night crawlers, grubs, millipedes, centipedes, spiders and larvae. A moles metabolism is very high which drives them to consume nearly their own weight daily.

Moles can create up to 100 feet of new tunnels daily in their search for food. Moles do not hibernate and are active year-round. The heaviest mound-building is in the fall when deep tunnels are being dug in preparation for winter.

Moles act like predatory fish following the bait as ground conditions change. Spring, usually very wet soil, brings worms to the top as do the moles searching for them. These feeding tunnels are the damage seen in your yard. As summer dries the ground, moles seem to disappear but have only gone to deep tunnels where moisture has taken the worms.

Breeding takes place in March and April. Gestation is 6 weeks and the young are weaned at 28 days. Dispersal of the young is done by late June. Typically 3 or 4 young are born. (Rule of thumb: for every one you have in April you’ll have 5 in May)

Your Options

1) Trapping. Physically removing the moles is the best control there is. A trapped mole is absolutely no longer a problem to you. When conditions are right LOVES WILDLIFE CONTROL can eliminate moles overnight.

The downside to trapping is the expense. Fuel prices continue to soar and mole trapping sessions usually run 7-10 days with LOVES WILDLIFE CONTROL making at least 5 trips to your property per trapping session.

2) Talpirid. Bell Labs spent three years developing a proven mole bait. Talpirid is very expensive but also very effective when used properly.

The downside is no one can actually prove the moles are dead. Only inactivity on your property can show this.

3) Lawn chair armed with spade.

The downside is you have better things to do with your time.

4) Lawn chair armed with a shot gun.

The downside is you cannot shoot a gun in town.