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Protect lawns from underground pests
MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Many people work hard to keep weeds out of their yards, but other troubling pests, such as moles and voles, need aggressive treatment as well.
Moles are small, furry creatures with beak-like noses, tiny weak eyes, no visible ears, paddle-like front feet with large claws and stubby, hairless tails. Moles are not likely to be seen, but they leave behind unmistakable evidence.
“Anytime people see irregular, snake-like ridges of soil throughout the lawn and into flowerbeds, they can know that Eastern moles are living in the area,” said Wayne Wells, turf specialist with Mississippi State University's Extension Service. “Their shallow tunneling causes the ridges as they travel in search of food, mainly earthworms, beetles, grubs and other insect larvae.”
While they rarely feed on plant material, their tunneling can cause damage to turf roots, bulbs and other underground plant material.
Pat Sneed, superintendent of MSU's golf course, said moles show up every other year or so on the course near Starkville. They primarily stick to areas where the soils have been modified and are easier to tunnel through.
“In this part of the state, the heavy clay soils are not appealing to moles,” Sneed said.
Wells said environmental conditions have a significant impact on mole activity. Harsh winters or dry conditions can decrease the populations of mole food sources. Irrigated lawns during a drought will concentrate the insect and worm populations, thus attracting more moles.
Voles, or meadow mice, can cause considerable damage to landscape plantings and to a lesser extent, turf.
“Voles seldom burrow underground like moles, but they make paths through the turf canopy,” Wells said. “Voles feed on plants. Thin-barked trees and shrubs are their preferred food. The girding of these plants can become severe enough that the plants are weakened and eventually die.”
Wells said baits or traps are commonly used to remove moles and voles. Removing the food sources for moles will prompt them to leave an area, but also will result in the losses of beneficial earthworms.
“Trapping is probably the most cost-effective and safest method for removing moles without hurting earthworms,” he said. “But trapping is not easy and requires a lot of patience and general knowledge of mole habits.”
Rodenticide products for moles and voles are effective but should be used with caution around other wildlife, pets and children.
Since voles feed on vegetation, mousetraps baited with peanut butter, oatmeal, pecans or apple slices can reduce populations. Place them near vole paths in the landscape.