Will Moles Ever Leave Your Yard On Their Own?
Moles are a common pest found in yards across the country. These small creatures can be a nuisance as they tend to tunnel through lawns and gardens, causing collateral damage.
Moles are active all year round, so it is important to understand how to deal with them if they become a problem in your yard, at some point. Keep reading to find out whether they eventually leave on their own, or you should intervene.
Are Moles Active Year Round?
Moles are active year-round and can be a nuisance any time of the year. They often build tunnels in lawns, eat the roots of plants and cause other damage in the process.
In addition, moles can create problems when the tunnels they dig in the lawn collapse, which may lead to injuring people or pets.
What Makes Moles Leave Your Yard?
There are many factors that can make moles leave your yard on their own.
One is the presence of predators, such as owls or hawks.
Moles may also leave in search of food. Thus, if they cannot find enough food in your yard, they’ll move elsewhere as they will be desperate to find more food to survive.
They may also leave if the ground becomes too wet or there is too much competition for space.
What Do Moles Eat On Your Lawn?
Moles are carnivores and primarily eat grubs, earthworms, beetles, larvae, soil insects, and other small invertebrates. Some moles can eat even 100 percent of their body weight in insects during the day, so if your lawn is not abundant in their food source, they’ll leave.
Occasionally, moles eat fallen seeds or nuts and small birds. Even though they don’t eat roots, grass, or any other plants, their tunnels will destroy the root system of nearby grass, plants, and crops, causing them to die.
What Kind Of Destruction Do Moles Cause In Your Yard?
Moles can be detrimental to lawns and gardens as they can cause all kinds of destruction. The damages include:
Tunnels: Moles dig tunnels as they move around the area, which can be dangerous if they collapse. Their elaborate burrows can also damage ornamental plants, turf, and mowing equipment, which will often require costly replacement.
Plant Roots: Moles destroy the roots of plants, which will damage or kill the plants. This often leaves ugly brown patches on lawns. So if you have a lot of moles in your yard, you may start to see thinning patches of grass.
Lawn Sod: Moles can also destroy the sod that covers your lawn. This can be damaging and lead to areas where the soil is visible.
That means moles can also be a problem for homeowners who have just had their lawns sodded, replaced, or repaired. Irreplaceable damage to a new sod installation can occur when the animal tunnels underneath it. This will prevent the fresh sod from rooting properly and the grass will wither in a line-like pattern.
Lawn Appearance: Moles can also create mounds in lawns as they dig their tunnels. If moles are present in your yard, you may notice that the mounds are formed in a particular pattern. Their piles of soil and raised trails not only look unsightly, but are a real nuisance.
When Will Moles Go Away On Their Own, If Ever?
Unfortunately, there is no definitive answer to this question. Some moles may leave your yard on their own, while others may not. It all depends on the factors mentioned above.
Seeing all the damage the moles have caused in your yard, you may want to get rid of them as soon as possible. If moles are causing problems in your yard, there are several things you can do to remove them or make them leave your yard sooner. This may include using live traps or repellents to make your yard less attractive to them.
On the other hand, there are some advantages to having moles in your yard. Moles are beneficial creatures and play an important role in the environment. They help to aerate the soil and distribute nutrients. They also help control insect populations. While moles can be a nuisance, it is best to live with them if possible rather than remove them altogether.
They signify a healthy yard, so if you don’t have any moles in your yard, it may indicate that something is wrong with the soil or that the environment is not suitable for moles.
If moles are causing a lot of damage in your yard, you may want to consider hiring a professional to help get them to leave soon. Several methods can be used to eliminate them, however, it is important to remember that moles are beneficial and should only be removed if they are causing serious damage.
Contact Westchester Wildlife for more information on how to deal with these pests or to make an appointment. Our technicians are licensed, insured, and have real-life experience removing moles, using humane methods. We are your local pest and wildlife control company, serving Westchester, Dutchess, Putnam Counties in NY, or Fairfield County in CT.