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Mole Arsenal options
THREE WAYS TO DETER MOLES:
1) minimize foods in your lawn
2) use repellants and poisons
3) create an artificial drought
CONTROLLING THE MOLE MENU:
There are three major food sources for moles. Coastal Organic Lawn Service applies preventative pesticide in spring. This organic pesticide coats the eggs and nymphs which suffocates them. We can also control grubs with an organic microbiology which attacks grubs. Grub control can be achieved for 10 years with 3 applications. Contact us if you think you have a grub infestation. Mole crickets are difficult to control in moist areas. Shady and moist lawns often have mole crickets. Our pesticide treatment minimizes mole crickets, so they are not damaging to the lawns unless the population gets out of control. We will let you know if it gets to that point. Earthworms are beneficial so we try to avoid additional controls for earthworms. If you feel you have a high earthworm population please let me know.
USE REPELLANTS AND POISONS:
Solar and battery powered repellant stakes can be installed that have an almost inaudible sound or vibration that repels moles. I recommend installing 1 or 2 stakes per 1000 sq.ft. of lawn. Also, you can purchase poisoned gummy worms, or Vector has a cone shaped applicator for putting pellets in tunnels. Check Amazon or local garden centers for these products. Mini-marshmallows are known to have carrageenan in them, a substance moles cannot digest, and it slows down their digestive system. Chocolate ex-lax is known to cause diarrhea in moles, which dehydrates them. There are other poisons that can be spread on your lawn, but your organic lawn has many beneficial insects in it that will also be poisoned, so we prefer to leave the soil biology alone if possible.
ESTABLISHING SOD - Because new sod installations need constant watering, one method of effective control of moles is to use a hose-end sprayer and liquid castor oil (6oz. per gallon setting) on your lawn, then 2 weeks later use a granule castor oil application (according to package directions) on your lawn. Alternate these applications every two weeks as needed.
CREATE AND ARTIFICIAL DROUGHT:
Controlling the amount of water on your yard is helpful in deterring moles. We are happy to assist you in learning how much to water your lawn. We can install a rain sensor for you so your irrigation system will turn the timer off after a rain. We also suggest you get a rain gauge for your yard so you can visibly see how much rain we have had, and manually turn your irrigation off if you want to. Also, the recommended amount of irrigation output our southern lawns should get is 1/2 inch per week in spring and fall, and 1" per week in summer. In winter, we get enough rain and cool weather (most of the time) that with rainfall and dew, the lawns and shrubs all get enough rain while dormant.
We are happy to help, so if you have questions or want assistance, please feel free to let me know. -Kristi