Moles are a severe nuisance to a yard or farm. They may severely damage the landscaping and the lawn. Moles are known to build complex tunnel networks underground and ruin the plantations in your backyard.
Trapping and baiting are traditional methods for controlling the moles or killing them. Trapping, though effective, is time-consuming and requires the traps to be accurately placed. Another conventional process is “baiting,” which uses poison to kill moles in their tunnels. But poison may prove harmful to humans too, and there’s a chance that pets will consume it too.
Killing moles with marshmallows is a modern method that is much safer and doesn’t require precision. The sweet smell of marshmallows attracts rodents. Rodents consume marshmallows but fail to digest a substance called carrageenan. It eventually results in slowing their digestive system, killing them eventually.
There’s no documentary evidence of marshmallows acting on rodents to kill or control them. But users who use marshmallows to rid their yards of moles approve it as one of the best methods to eliminate them.
Killing moles with marshmallows
Killing moles using marshmallows is simple. However, you need to follow a logical sequence to get that done. Follow the steps given below to get rid of the moles using marshmallows.
1. Cleaning the lawn
The first and foremost thing you need to do is clean the lawn or garden. Remove all dirt, debris, and the excavated soil due to the moles digging. This step helps you restore your lawn’s health and quickly locate the holes created by moles.
2. Rid of the moles’ possible food sources
Get rid of all the possible food sources in your lawn or garden. Look for rotten food, dead animals, bugs, insects, or snails that the mole scavenges. In addition, ensure you remove all the grubs or earthworms living inside your lawn.
Your strategy will work only when the moles have marshmallows as a last resort for food. You somehow have to compel the moles to consume only marshmallows only for maximum impact.
3. Locate and count the mole holes
Locate all mole holes and make a count of them. Ensure there aren’t any hazards around the tunnel openings. Else, the moles may get distracted or disturbed, and your plan of feeding marshmallows to the moles may fail for the day.
4. Place the marshmallows in the mole holes
Now is the time to place marshmallows in every tunnel. Place around 3 to 5 marshmallows in each open hole, as one marshmallow won’t suffice for the cause.
To drive the moles away from the lawn, you can ideally place a few marshmallows at the moles’ exit holes or on their escape route. Give some time for the marshmallows to work on the moles. Evaluate the results. If you still find a few moles on your lawn, repeat the process. Otherwise, you will again see another army of moles on your lawn.
What is the fastest way to get rid of moles in your yard?
The fastest way to get rid of moles is by trapping. It is one of the most effective methods to remove moles from your lawn. The mole trap is capable of trapping the animal and killing it subsequently. You can procure both kinds of traps from the local market: above-ground traps and below-ground traps.
Using traps is simple but requires precise placement. Following the instructions in the manual can help you achieve the results quickly and effectively. Experts recommend placing the traps in various spots in your lawn for better results. Keeping the traps permanently in a fixed position may be marked as a danger zone by the moles, failing your plan.
Using traps might require you to obtain permission from regulatory officials. It is because the traps can kill the moles; therefore, they are banned in some regions.
Alternatively, you can use poison baits, mole repellants, gassing, etc. to get rid of the moles quickly.
What is the best home remedy to get rid of moles in your yard?
You can also apply a few home remedies to get rid of the moles in your yard. Let’s look at them one by one.
Keep lawn clean and dry
The cleaner the lawn, the fewer the moles. Keep your lawn well-maintained and moisture-free. Moles cannot hide in your lawn if you cut the grass regularly. Tall grass makes an ideal hiding area for moles.
Moles like dampened soil and mulch. So if you avoid that and keep your lawn dry, you might get less trouble from the moles.
Remove grub and other insects from your lawn
The best way is to eliminate all grubs and insects in your lawn. When there isn’t anything to eat for the moles, they will find another location and leave your lawn soon. You can use milky spores, nematodes, or insecticides to eliminate the moles’ food sources.
Repellent
This solution is best for those who don’t like to kill. Using mole repellents disturbs their digestive system, and with their presence in the lawn, the moles might dislike your lawn and move out in search of another favorable location.
Barriers in the form of plants
Grow plants with strong smells, especially from the allium family. Since moles dislike strong-smelling plants, they will soon leave your lawn. Planting these plants around the perimeter of your lawn acts as a barrier for moles attempting to enter your lawn.
Dig out a trench
The trench acts as a boundary, protecting your lawn or garden. Create a trench around the area you want to secure. The trench size should be 2 ft in depth and six inches in width. Let the trench be filled with rocks or secure it with hardware cloth or wire mesh having holes at least 3/4 inch wide. Though this process is time-consuming, it’s a surefire way to keep moles away from your yard.
Create a disturbing ambiance for the moles
You can procure a sonic spike from the local market and set it into your lawn. The electronic pulses from the spike emit irritating sounds for the moles, compelling them to leave the area. Since the sound is customized only to be heard by the moles, it will have zero impact on you.
How do golf courses get rid of moles?
Golf courses make an ideal playground for moles. Considering the vast area the golf course offers, it’s no wonder it makes a favorable place for most moles.
Most of the remedies discussed above are used to get rid of moles on a golf course, such as trapping, baiting, the use of deterrents and repellants, and so on. Let’s understand what other options golf courses implement to rid themselves of moles on their courses.
Barrier installation
Golf courses install underground barriers to prevent moles from tunneling under the ground. This solution is an expensive and time-consuming method, but it is very effective.
Natural predators
Sheltering natural predators of moles, such as owls and snakes, in the golf course is another way to keep moles under control. Creating owl and hawk nests inside the golf course helps to keep the mole population low.
Modifying the Golf Course
This solution requires the golf course owners to choose to live with the moles rather than eradicate them. It works if the disturbance caused by the moles is not enormous. Generally, the mole damage is covered by spreading the dirt excavated by moles using a rake and adding grass seeds over the bare spots.
Ridges from tunnels are flattened, and troughs are filled with dirt or sand.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Will coffee grounds get rid of moles in your yard?
Yes. Since coffee has a strong odor, moles dislike it and move away from it. Sprinkled coffee grounds throughout the lawn are an ideal way to keep moles away.
Will bleach get rid of moles in the yard?
Bleach isn’t an effective solution for eliminating moles from the lawn. However, excessive bleach usage can adversely affect the area where it is used.
Does vinegar make moles go away?
Yes, vinegar is an excellent mole repellant to make them go away.
Do mothballs keep moles away?
The effects of mothballs on the moles are limited. It fails to eradicate moles, despite moles’ dislike of mothballs.
Is killing moles illegal?
Yes, not everywhere, but the killing of moles is banned in certain regions.
Conclusion:
Moles in lawns, gardens, and farms are traditional nuisance makers. All they know is how to cause damage and dirty the area wherever they stay. For homeowners caring for their lawns from moles, marshmallows are a great solution to keep moles away.
Using marshmallows is straightforward. You need to clean your lawn, remove all the possible moles’ food sources, and place 3–5 marshmallows in their tunnel openings. You will notice a reduction in the number of moles, and you can repeat the process until the last mole leaves your garden. I hope you found this guide regarding killing moles with marshmallows helpful.