Moles can wreak havoc on gardens, leaving unsightly mounds and tunnels that damage lawns and plant roots. Effectively managing these pests requires understanding the available methods and their implications.
Traditional Lethal Methods
Professional pest control services often employ traps, such as tunnel traps, to eliminate moles. These traps are strategically placed beneath molehills, aligned with active tunnels. For optimal results, it’s recommended to position one trap under each molehill. The process may take several days, as moles revisit their tunnels, with a success rate of approximately 30-40%. This means that out of every ten traps set, about three moles are captured. However, this approach involves digging into your lawn, potentially causing additional damage, and results in the death of the moles to prevent further lawn deterioration.
Non-Lethal Alternatives
Various non-lethal products claim to deter moles, including ultrasonic spikes, repellent balls, and scatter granules. It’s important to approach these solutions with caution. The pest control industry in the UK is a multi-billion-pound market, and many companies aim to capitalize on it. When considering non-lethal options, reflect on the following:
• Effectiveness: The efficacy of these products is often debated, and scientific evidence supporting their success is limited.
• Mole Relocation: Deterring moles doesn’t address the root problem. As mole populations grow, displaced moles may move to other areas, potentially causing issues elsewhere.
While non-lethal methods may seem appealing, their effectiveness is questionable, and they don’t reduce the overall mole population. Traditional trapping methods, despite being lethal and potentially causing some lawn disturbance, are currently among the most reliable solutions for mitigating mole-related damage in gardens.