Moles might not invade your home, but they can cause significant damage to your garden. As they dig tunnels in search of food, they disrupt lawns and garden beds, leaving unsightly mounds and ridges. Here’s how to manage mole activity in the Portland area.
Understanding Mole Behavior
Moles are solitary creatures that live underground, digging extensive tunnel systems as they hunt for insects, earthworms, and grubs. One mole can dig dozens of molehills in a single day. Moles are beneficial for soil aeration, but their tunneling can ruin gardens and lawns.
Signs of a Mole Problem
- Raised ridges: Moles create raised tunnels just below the surface, visible as long ridges in your lawn.
- Molehills: The big indicator. These conical mounds form when moles push dirt up while digging deeper tunnels. Make sure you identify the activity as moles rather than gophers, because the hills can look similar.
- Damaged plants: Tunneling can dislodge roots, leading to wilting or dead plants.
How to Manage Moles
- Reduce their food sources: Moles are attracted to lawns with abundant insects. Reducing grubs and worms in your soil can help.
- Use mole repellents: Castor oil is a common one. We usually find repellent works well as a deterrent, but isn’t very effective at removing moles that have already established a tunnel system.
- Install barriers: Underground landscaping fabric or thin metal mesh can protect garden beds. Moles may still dig underneath, and these remedies can make it harder to trap if a mole does come around.
- Trapping: In our experience, trapping is the best way to quickly control moles in the Portland area. Repellents can work once an infestation has been cleared, but with how much rain we get, traps are the way to go.
When to Seek Professional Help
If moles have taken over your garden, trapping or other measures may be necessary. Professional pest control can safely and effectively remove moles from your property.
Don’t let moles destroy your garden this fall. If you’re struggling with mole activity or need prevention advice, contact Pest Patrol at 503-985-6523.