The appearance of mounds and raised tunnels across a lawn signals that subterranean pests, such as gophers and moles, have moved in. These animals can cause widespread damage to landscaping and gardens. Effective removal requires correctly identifying the specific invader, as gophers and moles operate differently and consume distinct diets. Successful elimination relies on targeted strategies that address the habits and habitat of the pest.
Identifying Your Yard Invader (Gopher vs. Mole)
The first step in pest control is determining which animal is digging up the yard, as their signs are visually distinct. Moles create volcano-shaped mounds that are nearly circular with a noticeable plug of dirt located in the center. Their foraging tunnels are relatively shallow, often just beneath the surface, resulting in raised, spongy ridges across the lawn that easily collapse when stepped on. Moles are insectivores, primarily hunting and eating earthworms and grubs, not plant roots.
Gophers are herbivores that feed on the roots, bulbs, and stems of plants, often pulling entire plants into their tunnels. The mounds they create are typically fan-shaped or crescent-shaped, with the soil plug found off-center. Gopher tunnels are generally deeper than mole tunnels, ranging from a few inches to several feet below the surface. This depth means gophers rarely leave the raised surface ridges characteristic of mole activity.
Targeted Gopher Elimination Methods
Since gophers are herbivores and tunnel deeply, trapping is the most effective control method. Specialized mechanical traps, such as the Macabee or box trap, are designed to be set directly into the gopher’s main tunnel. To locate the main tunnel, identify a fresh mound and use a thin probe to find the main lateral runway, which is typically plugged and runs parallel to the surface. The trap is placed in the open tunnel, positioned to intercept the gopher as it attempts to plug the breach.
Baiting with poisoned grain is an alternative method, but it carries safety concerns for non-target animals and requires careful application. The poisoned grain is placed deep within the tunnel system using a specialized probe to minimize surface exposure. For long-term protection of sensitive areas, physical exclusion barriers are effective. This involves installing gopher wire or hardware cloth, often with a small mesh size, either around the garden perimeter or creating individual “gopher baskets” to encase the roots of vulnerable plants before planting.
Effective Mole Control Techniques
Effective mole control focuses on interrupting their insect-based diet and intercepting them in their shallow foraging tunnels. Trapping is the most reliable method, utilizing specialized devices like scissor, harpoon, or choker loop traps. These traps are set over or directly into an active, shallow runway. An active runway can be identified by flattening a section and checking if the mole has raised it again within 24 hours. Placing the trap in a repeatedly used tunnel maximizes capture success.
Reducing the mole’s primary food source is a secondary, indirect control technique. Moles consume large quantities of earthworms and insect larvae, such as grubs. Applying a product to control grubs can diminish the food supply, potentially forcing the mole to move. Castor oil-based repellents are also commonly used, but their efficacy is variable and temporary. These products work by tainting the food source or creating an unpleasant odor. They require regular reapplication, especially after rain or irrigation, to maintain a deterrent effect.
Maintaining a Pest-Free Yard
Once the immediate pest population is under control, long-term maintenance shifts the focus to prevention. Certain landscape practices make the environment less attractive to both gophers and moles. Overwatering encourages the proliferation of earthworms and grubs, which attracts moles seeking a food source. Implementing a conservative, deep-and-infrequent watering schedule helps keep insect populations lower.
Maintaining a clean perimeter and promptly filling in old tunnels discourages new pests from moving into established burrow systems. Consistent monitoring for new activity, such as fresh mounds or raised ridges, allows for immediate, localized treatment before a new infestation takes hold. Using underground barriers in newly planted areas remains the definitive preventative measure for protecting vulnerable plants from gopher damage.