Dealing with Wildlife / Gophers-Moles

[rhastings80]

Hi,

I was wondering if anybody has any tips of how to reclaim a yard that has been taken over by gophers, moles, or voles? Last fall our yard has been taken over by some kind of larger animal that tunnels and leaves big mounds. There are also smaller tunnels so I'm thinking I might have gophers and moles. Anyways last fall I used about a dozen smoke bombs, flooding them out with a garden hose, caster oil pellets, traps, poison peanuts and right before the snow fell I thought maybe I had solved the problem. Well I guess I was wrong. I live in MN and the snow has melted the the F-ing creatures are back at it. I feel like the guy in the movie Caddyshack. Does anybody else have any idea's how to solve this problem. It is ruining our yard as now its all lumpy. I'm cheap and like to do things myself but I'm getting tempted to call an exterminator. I have a black lab named Pete who likes to pheasant hunt but has no interest in rooting out the damn creatures in our yard. I also live in the city so its not like I can go ape and torch the yard or something crazy like that although I think my wife is worried I will.

Here are some pictures but the damage is worse then the pictures make it look. I have also been stomping the mounds down and trying to figure out what's new activity. The damn things will tunnel maybe 20 feet a day.


<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/C0XQwbarUaeIcW_TyO2Now?authkey=Gv1sRgCKrnmZ_g6pWuYQ&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_gyA2MJjiLlg/S6BHl76sE7I/AAAAAAAAATI/o6_G-a0K7n0/s800/IMG_4430.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/mike.4324/Wildlife?authkey=Gv1sRgCKrnmZ_g6pWuYQ&feat=embedwebsite">Wildlife</a></td></tr></table>

<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/YnCYe44nZrVIOQfSdRN6zg?authkey=Gv1sRgCKrnmZ_g6pWuYQ&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gyA2MJjiLlg/S6BHmoB6TsI/AAAAAAAAATM/Xx5CvL-pxW8/s800/IMG_4433.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/mike.4324/Wildlife?authkey=Gv1sRgCKrnmZ_g6pWuYQ&feat=embedwebsite">Wildlife</a></td></tr></table>

Thanks.

 

[RbrtAWhyt]

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f60/Skydancer30/ClunkerTheJunkYardCat2.jpg

 

[BlindViper]

If you can access the tunnels, put in rags soaked with ammonia. They cant stand the smell, the more rags the better.

 

[mebedave]

Here‘s what I use, I don’t think you will ever find anything better!!! Just make sure you only idle your engine or you could damage it! I have 65 acres and I mow about 12-15 of that and we call that our yard. Trust me I have tried everything nothing works better. You can treat about 200 feet of tunnel in one treatment.

http://www.buyacehardware.com/manning-underground-exterminator-7094147.html

http://www.bicwarehouse.com/underground-exterminator-ue-12.html

http://www.crittergetteronline.com/

If you do not want to use your car try a lawn mower exhaust it works too

 

[35mastr]

Here‘s what I use, I don’t think you will ever find anything better!!! Just make sure you only idle your engine or you could damage it! I have 65 acres and I mow about 12-15 of that and we call that our yard. Trust me I have tried everything nothing works better. You can treat about 200 feet of tunnel in one treatment.

http://www.buyacehardware.com/manning-underground-exterminator-7094147.html

http://www.bicwarehouse.com/underground-exterminator-ue-12.html

http://www.crittergetteronline.com/

If you do not want to use your car try a lawn mower exhaust it works too

^^^^^^^^^^ This will work. I tried every thing before I tried this.

 

[nolatoolguy]

we deeal with those all the time a good pelet rifle should take care of it. It sounds cruel but its what works the best for us and cheaply.

 

[tigerbalm2424]

Castor oil mixed with cayanne pepper and a little dish soap. Attach to garden hose sprayer and coat lawn once every 3 months. They will leave and move to your neighbors yard.

 

[rhastings80]

Thanks!

This sounds like a great idea. Do you think this will hurt my GMC Sierra 1500 pickup? Just wondering if it can mess up the truck since there will probably be more pressure on the exhaust? Also how long do you have to run it in each tunnel?

Here‘s what I use, I don’t think you will ever find anything better!!! Just make sure you only idle your engine or you could damage it! I have 65 acres and I mow about 12-15 of that and we call that our yard. Trust me I have tried everything nothing works better. You can treat about 200 feet of tunnel in one treatment.

http://www.buyacehardware.com/manning-underground-exterminator-7094147.html

http://www.bicwarehouse.com/underground-exterminator-ue-12.html

http://www.crittergetteronline.com/

If you do not want to use your car try a lawn mower exhaust it works too

 

[1320stang]

Been there, done that, own the t-shirt. I live on 1.5 acres out in the country and I've found that everytime I drive them out, they come back. Not sure if I've killed many, but they seem to procreate faster than I can get rid of them. I've been told it's due to the grubs in my soil, we call 'em cut worms, but they're june bug larve as I understand. I haven't tried the vehicle exhaust yet but everything else I've tried drives 'em to my neighbors yards, and they eventually come back.

 

[georgiadave]

The best way to get rid of moles is to kill the grubs that they feed upon. Use some lawn grub killer that is available at most big box stores, etc.

 

[Wes28376]

Here are a few ideas:

 

[Torque1st]

Propane flushed into the ground. Take the burner head off your propane torch and attach a piece of tubing. stick the tube in a hole and let it rip. The gas is heavier than air so it smothers them.

 

[PassnThru]

I had a big mole problem at the back of my yard where it joins some fields. I went with the war of attrition approach. Just me, a little time, and a shovel. I have killed at least 20 moles in my yard this way. The first few can be difficult - but with practice, I can now generally kill a mole within 24 hours of first noticing him. The best part about this approach is that you are sure that the mole is dead and that one definitely will not come back.

 

[Gary S]

Pete's not doing his job. A good dog would be excavating the yard until no rodent was left behind.

 

[D KRAGER]

The best way to get rid of moles is to kill the grubs that they feed upon. Use some lawn grub killer that is available at most big box stores, etc.

This is the key!! Also they feed off of earthworms, I know you really don't want to kill earthworms, but killing the grubs and earthworms will send the moles packing to your neighbors' lawn.

Use the insecticide faithfully, even after the moles are gone. If you remove their food they will stay elsewhere.....

 

[glsmaverick]

It hasnt been mentioned so I'll throw it out there.

I had a bad mole issue a couple years back. I tried grub killer, traps, watching non of it worked. I saw on TV those ultrasonic spike that buzz in the ground. I thought "no way in hell those work" but my wife convinced me to get a few. They usually cover 2000sqft or so. I put them in an evenly spaced line across my entire yard at a 45* angle to the property line. They WORK!

I have to say that the mole did no leave immediately. I put them in around July and it was there the rest of the year. But when it went into hibernation (or whatever they do) and woke up it never came back. I kept those spikes in the ground for the last two years and I am the only one around my neighborhood w/o a mole problem.

 

[Kevin54]

It's very hard to tell by the pics, but are those mole runs under the grass or just areas of grass torn up. If it is the latter it could be skunks digging.

As far as moles, the ONLY thing that I found that works almost 100% is water. Moles hate it. Walk the run down and then check an hour later to see if the run is pushed back up. If it is, stick the garden hose in the run and turn it on. As soon as the water hits the mole, he comes up and out. Pitchfork him. My advice also is not to let a dog or cat get one as they can have a nasty bite to them. For their size they are pretty ferocious and strong

 

[69supercj]

I had a big mole problem at the back of my yard where it joins some fields. I went with the war of attrition approach. Just me, a little time, and a shovel. I have killed at least 20 moles in my yard this way. The first few can be difficult - but with practice, I can now generally kill a mole within 24 hours of first noticing him. The best part about this approach is that you are sure that the mole is dead and that one definitely will not come back.

+1 for this method. I know it can be a little time consuming but the way I do it is for one, keep an eye on your yard and dont let the moles get out of hand. Once you find a run, stomp it back down with your feet and if you have some metal stakes and some flagging material, place a few of these along the run so you can find it again, if needed. Then just check back in 20 minutes or so and see if there is any new activity. One thing to remember though, when approaching the area, be vewry vewry quiet, pretend your hunting wabbits. Moles can detect surface activity for several feet. Just get close enough to watch the run and if you see a freshly worked area, keep an eye out for movement. Once you see movement, pretend your walking on thin ice and SLOWLY walk up with a pick and stand over the run. When you see the ground move, take your foot and step BEHIND the mole, or in the freshly worked tunnel, to cut off his escape route. Then take your pick and dig where you saw movement. I try to step about 8 inches or so behind them. If you dont mash the tunnel, they will be gone in a flash. They are amazingly fast underground. This isn't a fool proof method though, but once you get the hang of it you can really put a hurtin' on 'em. And as for the wild house cat in the second post, a 52 grain hollow point pushed by 25 grains of H335 out of a .222 Remington has worked wonders for me over the years.

 

[murph64]

I also live in the city so its not like I can go ape and torch the yard or something crazy like that although I think my wife is worried I will.

Thanks.

I'd say plastic explosive

is not an option




Andy
sorry, nothing constructive to add

 

[nonhog]

It's very hard to tell by the pics, but are those mole runs under the grass or just areas of grass torn up. If it is the latter it could be skunks digging.

As far as moles, the ONLY thing that I found that works almost 100% is water. Moles hate it. Walk the run down and then check an hour later to see if the run is pushed back up. If it is, stick the garden hose in the run and turn it on. As soon as the water hits the mole, he comes up and out. Pitchfork him. My advice also is not to let a dog or cat get one as they can have a nasty bite to them. For their size they are pretty ferocious and strong

I have many co-workers who use the water hose method. With much sucess.
I never seem to have the time. But would like to try it.
I have heard milky spore is a good way to rid grubbs which I have plenty and
plenty of moles as well as skunks tearing up my yard.

Interested how the exhaust works and the smoke bombs dont ?
just curious ?

 

[PassnThru]

+1 for this method. I know it can be a little time consuming but the way I do it is for one, keep an eye on your yard and dont let the moles get out of hand. Once you find a run, stomp it back down with your feet and if you have some metal stakes and some flagging material, place a few of these along the run so you can find it again, if needed. Then just check back in 20 minutes or so and see if there is any new activity. One thing to remember though, when approaching the area, be vewry vewry quiet, pretend your hunting wabbits. Moles can detect surface activity for several feet. Just get close enough to watch the run and if you see a freshly worked area, keep an eye out for movement. Once you see movement, pretend your walking on thin ice and SLOWLY walk up with a pick and stand over the run. When you see the ground move, take your foot and step BEHIND the mole, or in the freshly worked tunnel, to cut off his escape route. Then take your pick and dig where you saw movement. I try to step about 8 inches or so behind them. If you dont mash the tunnel, they will be gone in a flash. They are amazingly fast underground. This isn't a fool proof method though, but once you get the hang of it you can really put a hurtin' on 'em. And as for the wild house cat in the second post, a 52 grain hollow point pushed by 25 grains of H335 out of a .222 Remington has worked wonders for me over the years.

One of the best methods I have found is to use a shovel - when you see him move pop the shovel in the ground behind him and just pop him right out. If you go from the side with the shovel you stand a greater chance of losing him. As you said, with something behind him he can't escape. With practice you will get the mole every time.

 

[Hiball]

Ive been fighting moles for 3 years, Ive used every Home remedy and over the counter stuff with NO luck. Its a epidemic.... I think the biggest problem is not all my neighbors are treating them. Ive been treating the grubs fairly regular for the last couple years and i believe it is helping. I currently have some of the vibrating stakes in the ground, I fed them poison peanuts (the next day there was a sign asking for some Beer) Poison gummy worms, exhaust hose, Water hose (I literally ran water for 30 min and never seen any signs) I think actually i have gophers instead of moles because most of there runs are deep and there are very few shallow runs. Its getting close to play time so we will see how my new approach is working this spring.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I've heard of putting chewing gum down in the holes because they can't digest it

I've also heard of used cat litter down the hole, not sure of that one either.

 

[55chevy]

Grubs are actually the larvae of Japanese Beetles

I've had good success with the loop trap described in the attached.

It is very difficult to kill grubs with insecticide. You will kill everything, including birds if not careful.

Good luck

http://extension.missouri.edu/publications/DisplayPub.aspx?P=g9440

 

[69supercj]

I didn't think gophers made runs, dont they just borrow a hole?

 

[mooman]

get a bunch of kids with hammers.....

 

[rhastings80]

Thanks guys for all of your tips.

I think I'm going to try and kill them with the exhaust from my 1993 Silverado. I went to the local hardware store and found corrugated drainage pipe in 50 feet that is 2 inches wide. My tail pipe on my truck is 2.5 inches wide. I also bought a rubber pluming coupler to join them to the tail pipe with a wet rag wedged in as the coupler is 2 to 3 inches. You guys think this will work or is the exhaust so hot I will melt the rubber book and plastic pipe? If you guys think this will work I will try this weekend and take pictures of the process

Thanks


<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/5OzYDK-4df7fSx51si_l6g?authkey=Gv1sRgCKrnmZ_g6pWuYQ&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gyA2MJjiLlg/S6GFDqh6prI/AAAAAAAAATw/jMZXXDnVwl8/s400/IMG_4435%5B1%5D.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/mike.4324/Wildlife?authkey=Gv1sRgCKrnmZ_g6pWuYQ&feat=embedwebsite">Wildlife</a></td></tr></table>

 

[PurdueSD]

Grubs are actually the larvae of Japanese Beetles

I've had good success with the loop trap described in the attached.

It is very difficult to kill grubs with insecticide. You will kill everything, including birds if not careful.

Good luck

http://extension.missouri.edu/publications/DisplayPub.aspx?P=g9440

Yup, and in at least my area earthworms are the most common food for moles anyways. The moles do a number on my lawn, but my 2 boxers finish the disaster. My backyard looks like WWI trench warfare every year. Man, frustrating is an understatement. I am still looking for an answer. Been looking at some of the good stomp traps. They get the best reviews in my search.

 

[epmills]

rhastings: That set up should work, as the exhaust temp by the time it exits the tailpipe is relatively low. I would monitor the coupler from time to time when you try it out for the first time though.

I have had limited sucess with the water hose method-I have ran the hose in some tunnels for over an hour, and then realized the size of the tunnels, I had water running out onto the sidewalk from 4-5 separate places. The other time I tried it, I saw the tunnel expanding and could hear the grass tearing. A shovel took care of that one.
I also have a 18 dollar spike tool I purchased at Lowes, you step down on a small section of the tunnel, then shove the spring powered spike tool into the ground above it. When the moles try to re-dig the section you stepped down on, it releases the spikes into the ground killing it. That said, I have set this trap many times. Every time I see that the spikes have been released, I dig up around it to find the dead mole. Only once have I actually found a victim, every other time the mole got away or it misfired.

 

[BioHazard]

Propane flushed into the ground. Take the burner head off your propane torch and attach a piece of tubing. stick the tube in a hole and let it rip. The gas is heavier than air so it smothers them.

They also make a tool that injects a proper propane/oxygen mix into the ground, with a BBQ sparker on the end. Gas 'em for a few minutes and then bury them in their own tunnels!

we deeal with those all the time a good pelet rifle should take care of it. It sounds cruel but its what works the best for us and cheaply.

When I was a kid me and my dad would sit out on the back porch with shotguns. Every time we saw one pop up it was WWIII.

For some reason a couple years ago golphers invaded my small back yard out of the blue, problem was the grass was originally sod and still has the plastic mesh they put in it out in the fields. The golphers had a hard time breaking through the plastic, so they'd burrow just under the grass for quite a distance, leaving an above ground tube. I kept my .357 handy while I was doing yard work all summer, every time I saw one pop up I'd fire at the tube. I don't think the neighbors were very happy, but they haven't come back...

 

[PassnThru]

I kept my .357 handy while I was doing yard work all summer, every time I saw one pop up I'd fire at the tube. I don't think the neighbors were very happy, but they haven't come back...

The neighbors or the gophers

 

[Lhorn]

I started a thread on this last year and was thinking of digging it up. Some good ideas here.

I think that I've got gophers. There really aren't any visible runs, they just create mounds of fresh dirt usually about the size of a cereal bowl. If you dig you can find the tunnel, but mostly they are a bit undergorund so I don't think stomping them is gonna work.
It is my opinion that one shouldn't waste their money on the "giant Killer" smoke bombs. they may work for your problem, but I don't think they did a bit for mine. If they are problematic this year, I'm gonna try the car exhaust. Only reason I think this has a chance to work is because you'll put down a lot more exhaust than the smoke bombs which only burn for 30 seconds or so.
I'm also trying the grub killer, but as I understand it they also feed on earth worms so it's no mater how effective against grubs, it only kills part of their food supply.
I'm trying the repellant (I think it's dried blood or something). I probably won't bother after my current supply runs out.
Cayanne pepper, castor oil sounds cheap enough to try out.

 

[mebedave]

Thanks!

This sounds like a great idea. Do you think this will hurt my GMC Sierra 1500 pickup? Just wondering if it can mess up the truck since there will probably be more pressure on the exhaust? Also how long do you have to run it in each tunnel?

I use a 15'x5/8" garden hose on my small honde civic. If you want to be on the safe side just find a large dim. hose about the same as you trucks tail pipe. Just make sure you only idle the engine you should me fine.
I treat each mound for 10 minutes, that works good. Just remember they will return one by one from area's around you, then just retreat if you see a new mound and you will keep them under control. In my case it takes about six months before they return.

Good Luck !

 

[mebedave]

Your on the right track!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I don't think you need the wet rag. I use a rubber hub like you have(only smaller) and 5/8 garden hose at a idle it gets a little on the warm side but never to the point of melting. Now you are using plastic pipe so just keep an eye on it.

Thanks guys for all of your tips.

I think I'm going to try and kill them with the exhaust from my 1993 Silverado. I went to the local hardware store and found corrugated drainage pipe in 50 feet that is 2 inches wide. My tail pipe on my truck is 2.5 inches wide. I also bought a rubber pluming coupler to join them to the tail pipe with a wet rag wedged in as the coupler is 2 to 3 inches. You guys think this will work or is the exhaust so hot I will melt the rubber book and plastic pipe? If you guys think this will work I will try this weekend and take pictures of the process

Thanks


<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/5OzYDK-4df7fSx51si_l6g?authkey=Gv1sRgCKrnmZ_g6pWuYQ&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gyA2MJjiLlg/S6GFDqh6prI/AAAAAAAAATw/jMZXXDnVwl8/s400/IMG_4435%5B1%5D.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/mike.4324/Wildlife?authkey=Gv1sRgCKrnmZ_g6pWuYQ&feat=embedwebsite">Wildlife</a></td></tr></table>

 

[69supercj]

If you've got an old lawnmower engine to use, add a little oil to the gas tank if its a 4 stroke, if its a two stroke, just mix it on the rich side with the oil. Makes more toxic smoke that way.

 

[NUTTSGT]

If you've got an old lawnmower engine to use, add a little oil to the gas tank if its a 4 stroke, if its a two stroke, just mix it on the rich side with the oil. Makes more toxic smoke that way.

You just made Al Gore cry.

 

[PassnThru]

You just made Al Gore cry.

That really should be your sig

 

[eborcim]

If you can find it, some carbide and a little water in the runs will suffocate them. Just remember not to smoke for awhile afterward.

 

[rhastings80]

Hi,

Ok, so I tried this today. Here are some pictures. I ran the exhaust for about 15 minutes per hole. I had the garden hose near by as I didn't know how hot the exhaust would get. Guess time will tell as I then stomped down the mounds and I will watch for new ones and treat again. As usual Pete is just supervising.

<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/2ZfioY-l73KnjQJ1klhUDQ?authkey=Gv1sRgCKrnmZ_g6pWuYQ&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gyA2MJjiLlg/S6ZuAA23Z5I/AAAAAAAAAUM/-o8CyLyk1_o/s400/IMG_4436.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/mike.4324/Wildlife?authkey=Gv1sRgCKrnmZ_g6pWuYQ&feat=embedwebsite">Wildlife</a></td></tr></table>

<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/0H82KJIgvUax4LxtwnPYxw?authkey=Gv1sRgCKrnmZ_g6pWuYQ&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_gyA2MJjiLlg/S6ZuAyw26RI/AAAAAAAAAUQ/Ti5QU7EflIk/s400/IMG_4437.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/mike.4324/Wildlife?authkey=Gv1sRgCKrnmZ_g6pWuYQ&feat=embedwebsite">Wildlife</a></td></tr></table>

<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/nWeBtn33MLSFyZP9OxKK2Q?authkey=Gv1sRgCKrnmZ_g6pWuYQ&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gyA2MJjiLlg/S6ZuBRAGhPI/AAAAAAAAAUU/xz7TjJbXrk0/s400/IMG_4438.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/mike.4324/Wildlife?authkey=Gv1sRgCKrnmZ_g6pWuYQ&feat=embedwebsite">Wildlife</a></td></tr></table>

<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/BW7WvFYtXbJmC0A3FwvVOg?authkey=Gv1sRgCKrnmZ_g6pWuYQ&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_gyA2MJjiLlg/S6ZuB0xGyTI/AAAAAAAAAUY/7NhSeszrg2g/s400/IMG_4439.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/mike.4324/Wildlife?authkey=Gv1sRgCKrnmZ_g6pWuYQ&feat=embedwebsite">Wildlife</a></td></tr></table>

 

[Snap50]

Everyone needs to pay heed to his pictures!
The safety of the dog is first priority.