How To Get Rid Of Moles In South Africa

What are Moles?

Moles are small, burrowing mammals. Their eyes are poorly developed, but what they lack in sight, they make up for in their sense of touch. All moles have very sensitive snouts and long, clawed digits that they use to dig tunnels. The 22 tentacle-like protrusions on the snout of the star-nosed mole are six times more sensitive to touch than a human hand.

It’s a terrible feeling when you look out and see your beautiful lawn crisscrossed by a web of tunnels and unsightly mounds. Moles make a horrible mess of your yard. If they’ve invaded, there are measures you can take to take back your lawn.

How To Get Rid Of Moles In South Africa

Kill grubs and insects. The main reason that moles invade your yard is to search for food. Their primary food sources are earthworms, grubs, and lawn insects. If no food is available, they won’t find your yard attractive. To help limit the moles’ food supply, use products labeled to control grubs, ants, mole crickets, and other lawn insects.

Don’t water too much. Moles (as well as earthworms) like soft, damp earth, so avoid over-watering your lawn and keep it on the dry side to limit mole and earthworm activity. Remember: Most lawns only need 1 inch of water per week from either an irrigation system or rain to stay healthy, and this will also help limit mole activity.

Apply repellents. You can also use mole repellents to make your yard undesirable to the furry, tunneling pests. Tomcat® Mole & Gopher Repellent Granules or Tomcat® Mole & Gopher Repellent Ready-To-Spray are a convenient, non-lethal way to remove moles from your yard. Moles despise the smell and taste of its active ingredient, castor oil, and will relocate elsewhere. Mole repellents should be reapplied to your yard monthly while moles are active in order to stop them from reinvading your yard.

Traps: The Tomcat® Mole Trap provides a method to kill quickly and hold the mole to provide proof of control. Unlike many competitive spear traps, the Tomcat® Mole Trap does not draw blood, and its “hands-free” design makes it easier to use than other traditional mole traps. For more information, see our article How to Use a Tomcat® Mole Trap.

Baits: Tomcat® Mole Killer_a and Tomcat® Mole Killer Grubs kill moles by simulating their food source, earthworms and grubs. Moles eat the baited earthworm or grubs and die quickly (within 12-24 hours after ingestion) underground in their tunnels. For more information on using baited earthworms and grubs, see our article How to Use Tomcat® Mole Killer Baited Worms & Grubs.

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)

Will vinegar get rid of yard moles in South Africa?

Can Apple cider vinegar remove moles? Although, it is rumored to be the best to rid your yard of moles is apple cider vinegar. This is simply a myth about apple cider vinegar. As of right now, there is no research on this myth.

What is the purpose of a mole animal?

Moles play a beneficial role in the management of soil and the control of undesirable grubs and insects. By tunneling and shifting soil particles, moles permit better aeration of the soil, help dry out sod, and enable humus (organic matter) to travel deeper into the soil.

What is a home remedy to get rid of moles in your yard?

For a homemade remedy, mix three parts castor oil and one part dish soap. Add four tablespoons of the mixture to a gallon of water. Soak the tunnels and entrances to evict the moles and soak the holes to evict gophers. Castor oil is one of the most effective home remedies to get rid of these animals.

Do moles ever go away?

Moles sometimes fade or disappear, especially as people get older. This is not usually a cause for concern. However, cancerous moles can also shrink or disappear. Sometimes this happens when skin cancer is present and has already spread to other areas.

Why do I suddenly have moles in my yard?

Primary food sources for moles include earthworms, grubs, ants, mole crickets, and other lawn insects. Use products specifically labeled to treat these pests and employ methods to minimize their presence in your yard to also help prevent moles from coming in search of them.25 Nov 2020

How do you permanently get rid of moles?

Ways to Get Rid of Moles

Remove their food source.
Avoid overwatering your lawn.
Apply repellents.
Poison moles with bait.
Kill moles with traps.

How do you get rid of a mole overnight?

Castor oil and baking soda when used together can work well on the moles. Take one tablespoon of baking soda and two tablespoons of castor oil and mix them well to form a paste. Now apply this paste directly on to your mole and lead it for several hours. You can also leave it overnight before washing it off.

What time of day are moles most active?

They prefer moist, loamy soil and are most active in the early morning or evening in the spring or fall; they also come out after a warm rain. Moles have the distinguishing characteristic of a hairless, pointed snout. Their small eyes and ear canals are concealed by fur, and they do not have external ears.

Will vinegar get rid of yard moles?

If you’re looking for a compassionate way to get rid of ground moles, vinegar is a great solution. Not only will it kill the existing moles, but it’s also a natural repellent, so it will help prevent new ones from moving in. Simply pour vinegar into the mole holes, and they should be gone within a few days.

Do moles come inside the house?

It is unusual to find a mole in the house, but it does happen. Moles create complex tunnels underground, preferring the loose dirt of well-tended yards and gardens. While digging, the pests may get into homes through damaged basement windows or foundation cracks near the soil line.

How do you use castor oil to get rid of moles?

To use 100% castor oil as a mole repellent, you must mix three parts castor oil with one part dish soap. You will need 4 tablespoons of this mixture to add to 1 gallon of water. Once the solution is mixed properly, it will need to be applied evenly to your yard with a spray bottle or sprayer.

Can moles disappear naturally?

Moles can change over time, and some disappear altogether. When healthy moles disappear, the process is typically gradual. Other changes that may occur include: hair growing out of a mole.

Do moles use the same tunnels?

Moles build vast underground tunnels in search of worms, insects, and nesting/living space. Mounds form a row of excavations, unlike the random excavations of a gopher. Certain mole tunnels of both the deeper runways and the subsurface runways are used as a major travel lane (main runways).