Moles
Moles in the lawn
What works and doesn’t to deter moles from tunneling in turf.
By Kevin Frank of Michigan State University published April 15, 2010.
Click on this heading for the link. I could not have said it better myself.
Mole Facts:
Moles do not hibernate.
- A mole can dig at the rate of 17 feet per hour.
- A mole’s speed through existing tunnels can be 70 feet per minute, or just under one mile per hour.
- Moles will consume over 40 pounds of worms and insects a year.
- A mole eats one earthworm every hour.
- Moles have twice as much blood as other mammals of similar size, allowing them to breath underground.
- Moles have to eat every three to four hours or they will starve to death.
Many people believe every rumor or home remedy to control moles is worth trying. Moles are woodland animals in nature, but can quickly colonize and spread through adjacent residential properties. The longer moles are allowed to tunnel the more difficult they become to control. Mole activity will come and go throughout the season. New moles will move into existing deserted tunnels. Mole control is a continuous process that requires maintenance. There is no one time cure for moles. The mole’s primary source of food are worms so controlling the grubs in a lawn is not protection from mole activity.
Mole Control Program
We have a unique 12 step process that includes unlimited trapping and baiting. Our full season runs from March 1 through December 1. We also have a 3 month option. Log into My Account for more information and a price quote for your property.
Our 12 Step Mole Control Process:
1.) Call the customer in advance so you know when we are coming.
2.) Survey the property and surrounding areas for mole entry points.
3.) Distinguish between mole activity and other animal activity like voles.
4.) Distinguish between active and inactive mole tunnels.
5.) Distinguish between feeding tunnels and traveling tunnels.
6.) Measure depth and width of traveling tunnels to determine which trap works best.
7.) Evaluate the level of moisture in the soil to determine whi8ch trap will work the best.
8.) Set appropriate numbers of traps.
9.) Determine which bait to use based on location and depth of feeding tunnels.
10.) Determine if spraying the border of the property with a repellent would be of benefit, and spray as needed.
11.) Leave notes with the customer about bait that was used, number of traps set or removed, and number of moles that were trapped.
12.) Monitor mole activity on an ongoing basis. As mole activity disappears, we keep replenishing the bait in the ground to stop the advancement of new moles.
New as of 3/30/2011
Mole Gassing
We have a Carbon Monoxide Compressor. It injects CO with multiple probes at 120 psi per probe. A 200 foot long mole tunnel is completely filled with CO in 1 – 2 minutes and at 3 times the lethal dose to kill a human.
Our client is on the left. 
Some Experts “Claim” that Moles have no teeth.
For the record, I am the first person to call the Kent County Health Department and inquire about rabies from this mole that bit me and penetrated the skin. I was referred to the CDC, who laughed when I explained we were in a photographer’s studio for a photo shoot.
Eastern Mole
Click here to read what Kevin Frank from Michigan State University has written about moles.
In addition to servicing the homes of the founders of Amway and Steelcase, the following businesses have also used my mole control services:
Amber Ridge Condominiums American RV
Bank One Burger King Restaurant
Chandler Woods Charter School Chase Bank
Chilis Bar & Grille Cross Creek Charter School
Dan Vos Construction Fazolis Restaurant
Fifth Third Ball Park Grand Rapids Golf Club
Gun Lake Community Church Heritage Baptist Church
Hillside Community Church Huntington Woods Condominiums
Jade Pig Ventures Kelloggsville Public Schools
Kentwood Community Church Legacy Christian School
Mayflower Congregational Church McDonalds Restaurant
Millbrook Christian Reformed Church
Pinery Park Little League Plainfield Township
Precision Property Management Railside Condominiums
Rio Grande Restaurant South Christian High School
Southern Little League Spectrum Health
Stroo Funeral Home TriUnity Christian High School
York Creek Condominiums York View Condominiums
I have also been hired or endorsed by the following landscape professionals:
Boverhof Landscape Services Bykerk Landscape Management
Chuck’s Landscape Management DJ’s Lawn Service
DK Lawn Care EarthScapes
Everett’s Landscape Management Hilbrand’s Landscape Management
HLS Lawn Care Intricate Lawn & Landscape
Landscape Impressions Larry’s Lawn Service
Meadowgreen, Inc. Oomkes Landscape Management
Preferred Landscape Management Premier Landscape
Ridgeview Landscaping The Lawn Ranger
TS Groundskeeping Vandenberg’s Landscape Maintenance
Wabeke Lawn Service Weed & Feed Lawn Care
Weed Man
CANCELLATION POLICY
Our payments can be divided into equal installments for your convenience. We do not offer any programs for less than 3 months. If you sign up for a 3 month program and cancel during the first month, you will be charged 75% of the cost for the 3 month program. This is because the majority of our time is spent on the first 3 visits scouting the property and setting the traps. If you cancel after two months, you will be charged 87.5% of the total program. If you sign up for a full season program there is a flat $50.00 cancellation fee.
BURIED ITEMS
We are not responsible for damage to buried items such as underground sprinkler lines, invisible fences, utilities, and electricity for landscape lighting.
