Mole Control in Portland
Moles tear up lawns while hunting earthworms. Trapping active runs works better than poisons, repellents or home remedies.
Moles eat earthworms and grubs, not roots, but their tunneling lifts sod, damages mowers and makes a lawn look like a minefield. Portland's moist soil is ideal for them, and the biggest push of activity comes in fall and spring when the soil is soft.
Raised ridges are surface feeding tunnels, which are often temporary. The hills of loose soil show where deeper tunnels lead, and the permanent runs between them are where traps do their work.
Finding the active runs
Not every ridge is in use. We probe the tunnels, flatten a section and see which are reopened within a day. Those active runs, often along a fence line, driveway or tree line, are the best trap locations.
Why trapping works
Poison baits and gas cartridges do little against a deep tunnel system, and ultrasonic stakes have not shown reliable results. Placed correctly, a trap kills the mole quickly and ends the activity. We check traps on a schedule and adjust placement as needed.
Repair and follow-up
After the work, we recommend tamping down ridges and reseeding bare patches. More moles can move in from neighboring yards, so a follow-up check during the next wet season is worthwhile.
What to watch for
Surface ridges
Shallow feeding tunnels are often temporary and may not be worth trapping.
Molehills
Mounds of loose soil show where a deep tunnel branches off.
Lawn edges
Runs along walkways and fences are the best trap sites.
What happens on a visit
- Map the tunnels and find active runs
- Set traps in the permanent runs
- Check and reset on a schedule
- Advise on lawn repair and monitoring
Read next: Gophers, Moles & Gophers, Other Insects.
Moles questions
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