How to Locate Main Mole Tunnel and Prevent Garden Damage
How to Locate Main Mole Tunnel?
To locate the main mole tunnel, one can use the concept of “edges” to their advantage.
Focus on areas where softscape meets hardscape, as these are more likely to be main travel tunnels.
Examples of edges include concrete driveways or metal edging.
Trapping success can be increased by following the path of least resistance, so pay attention to easily defined edge tunnels.
However, it’s important to exercise caution during the removal process to avoid accidentally injuring the mole.
One method suggested is striking a spade or shovel deep into the ground behind the mole to prevent escape, but this may result in large holes and divots in the grass.
To prevent the mole from burrowing back into the ground, it is advised to quickly grab and place it in a bucket for disposal.
Key Points:
- To locate the main mole tunnel, focus on areas where softscape meets hardscape.
- Edges, such as concrete driveways or metal edging, are more likely to be main travel tunnels.
- Trapping success can be increased by following the path of least resistance.
- Exercise caution during the removal process to avoid injuring the mole.
- One method suggested is striking a spade or shovel deep into the ground to prevent escape.
- Quickly grab and place the mole in a bucket for disposal to prevent it from burrowing back into the ground.
Did You Know?
1. The average length of a main mole tunnel can reach up to 150 meters, making it an impressive feat of underground engineering.
2. Contrary to popular belief, moles are not blind creatures. They have tiny eyes, but they are poorly developed, giving them very limited eyesight.
3. Mole tunnels can reach depths of approximately 1 to 2 feet below the surface, allowing moles to create a network of secret passageways without being easily detected.
4. The walls of main mole tunnels are carefully constructed using compacted soil, creating a strong structure that allows moles to navigate their tunnels with ease.
5. Moles have specialized hairs on their bodies that help them detect vibrations and changes in air pressure, allowing them to sense approaching threats or potential prey while deep inside the main mole tunnel system.
Use “Edges” To Locate Main Travel Tunnels
Moles are notorious for their intricate tunnel systems, which they use to travel and hunt for food. If you’re dealing with a mole problem in your yard, it’s crucial to locate the main travel tunnels to effectively address the issue.
One effective method for finding these tunnels is by observing and identifying the concept of “edges”.
- Edges refer to areas where softscape, such as grass or soil, meets hardscape elements like concrete driveways or metal edging.
- These transitional areas are highly attractive to moles as they create ideal conditions for tunneling.
By focusing your search along these edges, you increase the chances of discovering the main mole travel tunnels.
Softscape Meets Hardscape Areas Are High-Percentage Tunnels
When it comes to locating the main mole tunnels, paying attention to areas where softscape meets hardscape can greatly increase your success rate. These areas tend to be high-percentage tunnels, meaning moles are more likely to utilize them as their main travel routes.
Moles find softscape-hardscape junctions appealing as the differences in soil texture and moisture levels make it easier for them to dig and establish their tunnels. When searching for these high-percentage tunnels, look for regions where your lawn or garden meets a driveway, pathway, or any other hardscape feature. These spots should be your primary focus when trying to locate the main mole tunnel.
- Pay attention to areas where softscape meets hardscape.
- Look for regions where your lawn or garden meets a driveway, pathway, or any other hardscape feature.
Examples Of Edges For Tunnel Location
To improve your search for the main mole tunnel, it’s essential to understand and recognize various examples of edges. Concrete driveways and metal edging are two common instances of edges that moles often utilize for their travel tunnels.
Concrete driveways offer moles a perfect environment for tunneling, as the hard surface prevents excessive soil compaction. Moreover, the gaps between the slabs provide easy access for moles to move between different parts of their tunnel network.
Metal edging, often used to separate lawn areas from flower beds or pathways, also serves as attractive edges for moles. These edging materials create a transition from soft soil to a harder surface, making it more appealing for moles to dig their tunnels.
By knowing these examples of edges commonly utilized by moles, you can focus your efforts on these specific areas during your search for the main tunnels.
Path Of Least Resistance For Trapping Success
Trapping moles is often the most effective way to control their presence in your garden or yard. However, to ensure successful trapping, it’s crucial to go with the path of least resistance. Moles are agile creatures and can detect disturbances in their tunnels, escaping to untrapped areas if they sense danger.
To trap a mole successfully, consider the path of least resistance when setting your traps. By targeting the main travel tunnels, you increase the likelihood of intercepting the mole. Carefully study the mole’s behavior, such as the alignment of their tunnels and typical movement patterns, to strategically position your traps along their route.
Focus On Easily Defined Edge Tunnels For Trapping
While locating the main mole tunnel is crucial in mole trapping, it is equally important to focus on the easily defined edge tunnels. These edge tunnels, which are shorter and branch out from the main tunnel system, provide better accessibility for trapping.
By concentrating your trapping efforts on these edge tunnels, you significantly increase the chances of catching the mole. These tunnels are frequently utilized by moles as access points to various parts of their network, making them effective locations for setting traps. As you identify these edge tunnels, strategically place traps to maximize your trapping success.
- Focus on easily defined edge tunnels
- Edge tunnels are shorter and branch out from the main tunnel system
- These tunnels provide better accessibility for trapping
- Increase chances of catching the mole by concentrating trapping efforts on edge tunnels
- Edge tunnels are often used by moles as access points to different parts of their network
- Strategically place traps in identified edge tunnels to maximize trapping success
Frontline Animal Removal Offers Mole Removal Services
If you are dealing with a persistent or overwhelming mole problem, it is advisable to seek professional assistance. Frontline Animal Removal, a reputable mole removal service provider based in Northeast Ohio, offers reliable solutions to effectively address your mole infestation.
Frontline Animal Removal specializes in locating and removing moles from your yard while causing minimal damage to your property. Their experienced team follows a proven method of striking a spade or shovel deep into the ground behind the mole to prevent escape.
Please note that this removal technique can result in temporary large holes and divots in your grass. Therefore, it is important to consider the benefits of mole removal against the potential cosmetic damage to your lawn.
The professionals at Frontline Animal Removal take precautions to avoid accidentally injuring the mole during the removal process. They suggest quickly grabbing and placing the captured mole in a bucket for disposal to prevent it from burrowing back into the ground.
In conclusion, locating the main mole tunnel is crucial for effectively addressing a mole problem in your yard. By utilizing the concept of edges and focusing on easily defined edge tunnels, you increase your chances of trapping success. If you encounter difficulties, it is recommended to seek professional assistance from Frontline Animal Removal, who offer reliable mole removal services in Northeast Ohio.
Frequently Asked Questions
How deep is a mole tunnel?
Mole tunnels can vary in depth depending on the purpose and frequency of use. These tunnels typically connect surface tunnels to deeper runways, which are found at a depth ranging from 3 to 12 inches below the surface, and can occasionally extend as deep as 40 inches. Some of the deeper runways serve as the mole’s main passageways, as it navigates between the surface tunnels and its nest. Considering their impressive digging speed of 15 feet per hour, moles can efficiently create intricate tunnel systems within a relatively short span of time.
How many moles are usually in a tunnel?
Although it may appear that there is an ample presence of moles in a given tunnel system, usually only two or three moles make up this intricate network. Despite their limited numbers, moles have a substantial feeding habit, devouring 70% to 100% of their body weight daily, resulting in a need for a significant territory to sustain themselves.
Do moles only tunnel at night?
Moles do not exclusively tunnel at night; they are active during both the daytime and nighttime. While their activity levels may vary depending on various factors such as temperature and soil conditions, moles are known to be active year-round. They tend to show reduced foraging activity during extreme heat or cold, but they are most active after rain or watering, as it creates the perfect soil texture for their digging habits. So, moles tunnel and search for food whenever the conditions are favorable, regardless of the time of day.
How long is a mole tunnel?
Moles are truly remarkable excavators, capable of creating extensive tunnel systems in a remarkably short span of time. Their tunnels can stretch up to impressive lengths, with eastern moles known to carve out burrows spanning approximately 160 feet (49 meters) in a single night. To put this into perspective, that’s equivalent to a human meticulously digging a half-mile (0.8-kilometer) underground passage within the same timeframe. These industrious creatures are commonly found in meadows, grasslands, woodlands, wetlands, and riparian environments, taking advantage of their surroundings to construct their intricate subterranean homes.
