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As I was mowing the lawn for the last time this fall I noticed something unusual. For the first time the lawn was covered with mole runs. I asked Sue Humble, Chisago County Master Gardener Coordinator, to gather additional information on moles. She sent information researched by Gary Comer and Amanda Rodewald from Ohio State University.

Moles are insectivores (they eat insects), and they may control some insect outbreaks. However, mole activity can also cause considerable damage to lawns. This damage is usually in the form of tunnels and mounds that can be unsightly, disturb root systems, and provide cover or travel for other small mammals.

In frustration, lawn owners may try almost anything to control moles. Remedies such as pickle juice, broken glass, red peppers, razor blades, bleach, moth balls, rose branches, human hair balls, vibrators, ultrasonic devices, castor oil, and even explosives. However, nothing works very well and certain chemicals and explosives are illegal.

Moles' primary food source is earthworms and home remedies are ineffective because they allow the animals time to establish and become real problems. They can quickly colonize and spread. Moles will respond to changes in food supply as different insects become available in places and at different times throughout the year. When moles are disturbed they may leave an area for a while but will usually return when you least expect it.

The Eastern, Hairy-tailed, and Star-nosed moles can be seen in the Midwest. The Star-nosed mole is a very odd looking mole that I know is in our area because our cats have delivered more than one of them to our porch. The Eastern is the most common to our area and is about the size of a chipmunk, weighing three to six ounces. Each year a mole can have a litter of two to six young, depending on the health of the female. Gestation lasts from five to six weeks, which means that you can expect litters anywhere from mid-April through May. Young moles have less than a 50 percent chance of surviving long enough to reproduce.

Even without disturbing the moles their activity may only last a week or two. This can leave a misconception that some home remedies are working. Trapping is the most effective and practical method of mole control. Trapping is most successful in the spring and fall, especially after rain. In summer and winter they are active in deep soil and more difficult to locate. The harpoon, scissor-jaw, and choker loop, are the most effective traps. To ensure safe and humane methods be sure to follow printed instructions. The run must be collapsed and the trigger pan securely pressed into the run creating a blockage allowing the mole to trigger the trap when attempting to reopen the tunnel. Traps should be set in active runs. They can be located by stepping down the run, marking the location and checking to see if the tunnel has been reopened within 24 to 48 hours.

Included is some trivia that may interest the readers. A five ounce mole will consume 45 to 50 pounds of worms and insects each year. Moles can dig surface tunnels at 18 feet an hour. They travel through existing tunnels at about 80 feet a minute. Moles contain twice as much blood and twice as much hemoglobin as other mammals of similar size. This allows moles to breathe more easily in underground conditions with low oxygen.

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