The appearance of raised tunnels and scattered dirt mounds across a meticulously maintained lawn is a common frustration for Florida homeowners. These telltale signs of subterranean activity indicate the presence of moles, which are relentless diggers driven by a constant search for food. A combination of identification, habitat modification, and targeted eradication techniques can successfully restore the integrity of your yard.
Identifying Florida Moles and Their Damage
The primary species responsible for turf damage across Florida is the Eastern Mole, Scalopus aquaticus. This small mammal is an insectivore, not a rodent, with a cylindrical body, a pointed snout, and large, paddle-like front feet adapted for digging. Its velvety fur allows it to move easily forward or backward in its tunnels.
Homeowners can distinguish mole activity from other pests like voles or gophers by examining the mounds and tunnels. Moles create two types of visible damage: raised surface ridges (shallow foraging tunnels) and volcano-shaped mounds of soil, often called molehills. These mounds are typically round or conical, created when the mole pushes excavated dirt to the surface from deeper tunnels.
In contrast, gophers, which are true rodents, create distinct fan- or crescent-shaped mounds that feature an off-center plug marking the tunnel entrance. Voles, which are herbivores, rarely create mounds but instead leave small, exposed surface runways in the grass connecting their burrow openings. Understanding these differences is the first step toward effective control.
Habitat Modification and Exclusion Strategies
Since moles are driven by their diet of earthworms and insects, altering the environment to make it less appealing can discourage their presence. Moles consume large quantities of earthworms, beetle larvae, and other soil-dwelling organisms daily. While some homeowners use grub-specific insecticides, earthworms are a larger part of the mole’s diet, and eliminating beneficial organisms is generally not advisable.
A more focused strategy involves managing soil moisture, as moles prefer loose, well-drained soil where prey is abundant. Reducing excessive watering may make the soil less attractive for tunneling.
Physical exclusion offers a long-term preventive measure for protecting targeted areas like garden beds. A vertical underground barrier made of small-mesh galvanized hardware cloth can be buried around the perimeter. For effectiveness, this barrier should be installed at a depth of 12 to 18 inches and include a short, outward-facing horizontal section at the bottom.
Active Eradication Techniques
When exclusion and habitat changes are insufficient, direct removal through trapping is considered the most reliable method for eliminating moles. Trapping requires locating the active tunnels, as moles often abandon older, unused tunnels. The simplest way to find an active tunnel is to flatten a section of a surface runway by stepping on it. If the tunnel is repaired and pushed up again within 12 to 24 hours, it is a primary, active runway and an ideal location for a trap.
Several types of lethal traps are effective, including harpoon, scissor, and choker loop models, all designed to be placed directly over or into the active tunnel. Harpoon traps are pressed into the soil over the flattened tunnel, with the trigger pan resting on the depressed section. The mole pushes up to repair the tunnel, which springs the trap. Handling traps with gloves is recommended to prevent leaving human scent, which can cause the mole to avoid the area.
Another option involves chemical control using mole-specific baits, which are typically formulated to mimic natural food sources like earthworms. These baits often contain a neurotoxin like Bromethalin, which disrupts the central nervous system. Because Bromethalin is highly toxic to non-target mammals, including pets and children, these baits must be placed deep underground and strictly according to label directions. Fumigants, which release toxic gas, generally have a low success rate due to the mole’s ability to quickly seal off tunnel sections.
In Florida, moles are not a protected species, and homeowners may legally remove or kill them on their property without a permit. Local ordinances should always be checked, and any lethal control method must be carried out humanely. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) permits the use of approved methods, such as trapping and registered baits, provided they are consistent with product labeling and do not harm non-target wildlife.