The appearance of raised dirt ridges and mounds in manicured lawns is a persistent problem for many Florida homeowners. This damage is typically caused by the Eastern mole (Scalopus aquaticus), a small, burrowing insectivore found throughout the state. While moles primarily seek out soil-dwelling insects and earthworms, their tunneling activity quickly ruins turfgrass and garden beds, leading homeowners to seek lethal control methods.
Identifying Moles and Their Specific Damage
Accurately identifying the pest is the first step, since control methods for moles differ significantly from those used for gophers or voles. Moles are not rodents; they belong to the order Insectivora and possess large, paddle-like front paws adapted for digging through Florida’s loose, sandy soils.
The primary sign of their presence is the characteristic raised surface run, a shallow ridge of soil pushed up just beneath the grass as the mole forages. These surface runs are distinct from the deep, crescent-shaped mounds created by pocket gophers or the runways left by voles. Moles also create volcano-shaped mounds, called molehills, when they push deeper excavated soil to the surface. Since the Eastern mole’s diet consists mainly of earthworms and insects, their damage is purely structural and cosmetic.
Effective Lethal Control Strategies
Trapping is considered the most effective and reliable long-term method for controlling mole populations. Traps designed specifically for moles, such as the scissor-jaw, harpoon, or choker loop types, are engineered to kill the animal quickly upon activation. Successful trapping relies on locating an active main tunnel, which is identified by pressing down on a run and checking if the mole repairs the collapse within 12 to 24 hours.
The trap must be set directly over an active run, with the trigger mechanism placed on a small plug of compressed soil within the tunnel. For scissor-jaw and harpoon traps, the trap’s components straddle the run, while the choker loop trap encircles the tunnel opening. The mole’s instinct to repair the obstruction causes it to push against the trigger plate, springing the trap.
Chemical baits offer a secondary lethal option, utilizing toxicants formulated to mimic the mole’s natural food source. Baits often take the form of synthetic worms or grubs containing active ingredients like bromethalin. Bromethalin is a neurotoxin that is lethal after a single feeding.
Another option is zinc phosphide, an acute toxicant that reacts with stomach acid to produce toxic phosphine gas. These baits must be placed directly into an active, deep run using a probe and should never be left on the surface where non-target animals could access them. Since moles are insectivores, grain-based rodent baits are ineffective and should be avoided.
Florida Regulations and Safe Removal Practices
The Eastern mole is considered a non-protected species in Florida, allowing homeowners to implement lethal control without a permit when property damage occurs. Homeowners may use traps or chemical baits, but strict adherence to all product label directions is a legal requirement under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). Misuse of pesticides, such as placing baits on the surface, is a violation of both federal and state laws.
Safety protocols regarding chemical baits are important to prevent unintended harm to pets, children, and other wildlife. Baits containing bromethalin, for example, have no antidote and are highly toxic to non-target mammals, including dogs and cats. All traps and baits must be handled and stored securely, away from any area accessible to people or domestic animals.
There is also a risk of secondary poisoning when using certain toxicants. Zinc phosphide is considered to have a lower secondary risk because it does not accumulate in the dead animal’s tissues. However, the deceased mole’s gut contents can remain toxic for a short period, posing a hazard to scavengers. Promptly locating and disposing of any poisoned mole carcasses is a primary safety measure to protect local wildlife and domestic pets.