how to repair lawn damaged by moles

^{Luckily repairing molehill damage is also easy to fix:}

• Remove excess dirt with a shovel
• Fill any sunken areas with a mixture of 50/50 sand and topsoil
• Lightly rake exposed dirt
• Apply grass seed at the recommended overseed rate
• Compact the dirt back
• Cover exposed areas with peat moss
• Water the lawn thoroughly while the seeds germinate

How to kill moles in your lawn?

^{How to Get Rid of Moles}

• Apply castor oil. This multi-purpose vegetable oil is often effective in eliminating moles because it makes the soil smell bad to them (you may notice a faint odor).
• Replace grass. Since moles primarily damage turf, another option is to replace grassy areas, although this isn't practical for some people.
• Grow protective plants. Some plants help deter moles. Put them around the perimeter of your lawn for a natural, effective and attractive mole repellent.
• Encourage predators. Owls and hawks eat moles and voles, so invite them to your yard by installing a post 10 to 15 feet high.
• Get rid of their food source. Make moles go hungry — and go somewhere else — by eliminating their favorite foods. ...

How do you control moles in your lawn?

• Walk around your compound and look for tunnels. Once you find them, collapse them by stepping on them.
• The following day, check to see if the tunnels have been rebuilt. ...
• Using mole traps is easier during spring and fall when activity in the tunnels is at peak. ...
• When checking if any mole has been caught, be careful not to disturb the tunnel too much. ...

How do you remove moles from a lawn?

Trapping

• Flooding The Tunnels: The flooding method is only recommended if you’re comfortable with coming in contact with the mole or if you’ve handled wildlife before. ...
• Everyone involved should be prepared with long pants, long sleeves and gloves.
• Locate an end to one of the mole tunnels.
• Open the tunnel and insert a hose.

More items...

How do you remove a mole naturally?

Other home remedies that claim to remove moles include applying:

• a mixture of baking soda and castor oil
• banana peel
• frankincense oil
• tea tree oil
• hydrogen peroxide
• aloe vera
• flaxseed oil

Will grass come back after moles?

0:193:19How to Repair a Lawn Bumpy From a Mole - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe damage caused by moles can be both extensive and unsightly. This is especially true if you allowMoreThe damage caused by moles can be both extensive and unsightly. This is especially true if you allow the moles free reign over your lawn. After time the moles will not only continue creating eyesores

How do I repair my lawn after vole damage?

4 Steps to Repair Vole DamageRake to remove the dead grass and excrement.Fill pathways with topsoil.Apply fertilizer.Overseed areas that don't adequately recover.

How do you level a yard after moles?

Spray the tunnels and mounds with your garden hose to wet the soil. You can wait to flatten the tunnels after the rain, but flattening the tunnels when the entire lawn is wet -- as opposed to only the tunnels -- increases the risk of soil compaction throughout the yard.

What is the fastest way to get rid of moles in your yard?

Fastest way to get rid of molesMole trap: A mole-specific trap is considered the most effective way to get rid of moles. ... Baits: Moles feed upon earthworms and grubs. ... Remove the food for moles: Moles feed on various garden insects, such as earthworms, crickets, and grubs.More items...•

What is difference between mole and vole?

A mole has a pointed snout, enlarged front feet, and eyes and ears so tiny that they are not visible. A vole, also called a meadow mouse, has rounded ears and body and is reddish or brown and black in color with a gray underside.

What does vole damage look like in a lawn?

If it's voles, you'll see patches of gnaw marks with irregular patterns about 1/16th to 1/8th inches wide. Gnawed stems may have a pointed tip, and the roots or tubers may also show the same wear.

Does a lawn roller help with moles?

A lawn roller will kill moles because it prevents them from getting enough oxygen. Unless they have an escape route, they won't be able to breathe underground. Moles can survive without a lot of oxygen for a while, but they eventually won't survive if you use a lawn roller on all of their tunnels.

What does mole damage to lawn look like?

Mole Damage Check your soil and lawn for their tunnels. They will look like raised volcano-shaped swellings in your yard. Surface tunnels or ridges also indicate mole activity.

Should I stomp mole tunnels?

Stomping Tunnels Lawn moles live to dig and can easily reclaim damaged tunnels or dig new ones. Stomping the short feeding tunnels will do no good since they are only used to scout for food. Most are abandoned shortly after digging.

How do golf courses get rid of moles?

Live-catch traps are a human and effective way to remove moles from your golf course. To use them, place them along active mole runways. To tell if a runway is active, press down on the edge and come back in 2-3 days to see if the moles have repaired the runway.

How do you get rid of a mole overnight?

Castor oil: Mix 1 tablespoon of castor oil with 1 tablespoon of baking soda. Apply the paste to the mole and leave overnight.

What is the fastest way to get rid of moles naturally?

What's the best home remedy for getting rid of moles? Natural home remedies to spread onto your yard and in molehills include using castor oil, cayenne pepper, garlic, and red pepper — or plant flowers like daffodils and marigolds, which are natural mole deterrents.

How do you fill a vole hole?

How Do You Fix a Vole-Damaged Lawn?Give the entire lawn surface a gentle rake to break up debris and excrement in vole runways and promote lawn growth.Fill in vole pathways with topsoil.Fertilize and overseed any areas of thin or chewed-down grass.Prune and fertilize trees or shrubs that voles have gnawed on.

How do you get rid of voles in your lawn?

Voles can be removed humanely from a yard by using live traps, or they can be exterminated with mouse traps or bait traps (which use poisons). They can also be deterred by fencing and driven away with vole repellents.

How do you cover up a vole hole?

The nutrient-rich top-soil will entice our freshly raked grass to expand and cover the vole damage. The best soil for this step is fresh compost, and if you don't have a compost system, then we have you covered with planting soil.

Do voles ruin lawns?

Voles can cause damage to small trees and shrubs. They can have multiple litters in a year, and every 3 to 5 years there is a population boom. Lawn damage is most visible in the spring. Prevent and manage vole damage through yard sanitation, reseeding grass, tree guards, trapping and pesticide application.

How to fix moles in yard?

Moles activity often looks like large raised veins spreading across your yard. These vein-like patterns are actually surface tunnels or feeding runways and moles can construct them at a rate of 10 feet per hour. Luckily, damage as a result of veining is relatively easy to fix: 1 Flatten all raised veins - you can use your foot or a dirt compactor 2 Scratch exposed dirt with a rake 3 Apply grass seed at the recommended overseed rate 4 Lightly compact the seeded area 5 Cover with peat moss 6 Water areas throughout the day - at least 3x a day

What to do when your yard is mole free?

Once your yard is mole-free, you can begin to repair some of the damage that was done and reclaim your lawn again.

How many molehills can a mole dig in a day?

A busy mole can easily dig 100 feet in a day and can produce more than 6 molehills a day. If left unchecked, your yard could be covered in molehills in just a week.

How to repair molehill damage?

Luckily repairing molehill damage is also easy to fix: Remove excess dirt with a shovel. Fill any sunken areas with a mixture of 50/50 sand and topsoil. Lightly rake exposed dirt. Apply grass seed at the recommended overseed rate. Compact the dirt back. Cover exposed areas with peat moss.

Why do moles eat grass?

If you do have a mole problem, it is likely because your soil is rich in earthworms. Mole activity increases when earthworms are present near the soil surface. The average mole must eat 80 to 100% of their body weight every day, and they must tunnel to get to the worms. As such, they can destroy your lawn in very little time.

How to fix veins on a lawn?

Luckily, damage as a result of veining is relatively easy to fix: Flatten all raised veins - you can use your foot or a dirt compactor. Scratch exposed dirt with a rake. Apply grass seed at the recommended overseed rate. Lightly compact the seeded area. Cover with peat moss.

What is the phone number for Seattle mole exterminators?

If you are dealing with a mole infestation in Seattle, Bellevue, Woodinville, Sammamish, Kirkland, or Redmond, call the Mole Patrol at 425.744.0371 or fill out our Request for Service form to get started with one of our Seattle area mole exterminators.

How do I get rid of moles in my yard?

Set mole traps in active tunnels. Make sure the tunnels are active by caving in a small portion with your foot. Check on the tunnel a day later -- if the mole has redug it, it's active. Kill as many moles as possible before attempting to repair the damaged lawn; otherwise, your work will be for naught.

How do I use a lawn roller?

Connect a lawn roller to your riding lawn mower or garden tractor, following the manufacturer's directions. Drive your mower or tractor across the lawn -- the heavy roller will flatten irregularities and make the surface uniform. Pay particular attention to any wider areas of the lawn affected by tunneling, and be sure to go over individual mounds.

What happens if you get moles in your lawn?

The damage caused by moles can be both extensive and unsightly. This is especially true if you allow the moles free rein over your lawn. After time, the moles will not only continue creating eyesores in the form of mounds and tunnels, they will begin damaging the root systems of the grass as well as that of other vegetation in the area. To avoid further damage, you must reclaim your property from the moles. Fortunately, this is a job you can handle on your own.

How do I fill low spots in my lawn?

Fill in any low spots in the lawn with topsoil. The weight of the lawn roller may collapse some tunnels, causing slight depressions. Fill these low-lying areas to allow proper drainage, ensure safety for anyone walking across the lawn, and make the lawn more attractive and easier to mow.

What happens after you remove moles from your lawn?

Even after ridding the lawn of moles, the lawn is left with the ridges and mounds formed as a result of surface tunneling. There are a few approaches to flattening these tunnels, depending on the severity of the damage.

What do moles eat?

They feed on worms, grubs, beetles, ants, slugs and larvae found underground through a system of tunnels. While ridding the lawn of some common pests, moles also disturb grass root systems, leading to dry or dead grass. Even after ridding the lawn of moles, the lawn is left with the ridges and mounds formed as a result of surface tunneling.

Can you rent a roller for a lawn tractor?

You can rent rollers that you push manually or that drag behind a lawn tractor or all-terrain vehicle. This method works well on large tunnel systems, but you should only roll over the tunnels to avoid compacting the soil across the rest of the lawn, particularly if you have clay soil that is easily compacted.

Can you flatten a lawn after rain?

You can wait to flatten the tunnels after the rain, but flattening the tunnels when the entire lawn is wet -- as opposed to only the tunnels -- increases the risk of soil compaction throughout the yard.

Can mole tunnels cause ridges in lawn?

Although mole tunnels might not always cause ridges in the lawn, the damage is often visible because the tunneling damages the grass roots. If you don't want to rent a lawn roller, you can make your own using a large barrel. For best results, fill the barrel partially with water or sand to add weight to the barrel.

Where did Amelia Allonsy get her bachelors degree?

She received her Bachelor's degree from West Virginia University. Her work has been published in the San Francisco Chronicle and on other websites. Related Articles.