ST. LOUIS (July 12, 2010) – Sweeney’s, an industry leader in developing safe and effective DIY pest control products, understands that no outdoor critter wreaks as much backyard havoc as moles and gophers. For homeowners who’ve had their lawns and gardens destroyed by unsightly mounds and trails, Stewart Clark, Sweeney’s Director of Research and Development, offers straightforward tips on how to get rid of moles.
“There is no single solution for mole control,” says Clark, who has been actively researching mole behavior and mole control solutions for a decade. “Our approach is honest and direct – you might have to try a variety of products and get involved in the process. If you are persistent, you will eventually achieve your goal. But you’ll probably have to experiment with a few tactics to see what works best for you.”
Understand Your Adversary
Moles live underground and rarely come to the surface. They create tunnels to search for food and can create up to 100 feet of new tunnels per day. These tunnels are what destroy lawns, and they can range from long surface tunnels to “volcano” tunnels that can go as deep as three feet underground.
Assessment Phase
Before you can get rid of the moles in your yard, you need to identify which “runs” or tunnels are active. For this, you’ll need a broom handle for poking holes and small yard markers, spray paint or even plastic forks. Poke holes into the tunnels and flag them with your marker system. In 24 – 48 hours, if the hole has been repaired (where the mole has either plugged up the hole or created a new “volcano” mound in a deep tunnel), you know you have an active infestation.
Treatment Phase
Following the assessment phase, if there has been no activity, the mole likely moved to a new area or died. In areas of activity, bait the tunnel by removing the excess dirt to expose the tunnel opening. Place Sweeney’s Poison Peanuts, using the product’s special cone shaped container, deep inside the hole, to ensure it reaches the mole. Carefully re-cover the hole with dirt.
Mole & Gopher Control – More Options
If phase one of treatment does not appear to work, it is time to use another type of product. Clark recommends Sweeney’s Mole & Gopher Solar Sonic Spikes, which are designed to repel underground rodents. The sonic spikes emit a penetrating sound which is irritating to moles and gophers, who have an acute sense of hearing. This method encourages moles to leave the property, and the solar operated spikes continue to discourage return visits.
Other treatment options include liquid repellant products that can be attached to a hose for easy application and granular repellent products that can be applied directly from a shaker bag.
Another alternative is Sweeney’s mole trap. The trap is inserted into the top of a mole tunnel. As a mole moves through the tunnel, it pushes upward on the trap, triggering the spike plate. The spiked plate will snap down to kill the mole from above. Moles prefer to take the same tunnels when traveling from place to place so there’s a good chance the mole will pass through the tunnel with the trap in it.
“We are committed to the ongoing study of mole and gopher behavior,” says Clark. “The challenge is that these creatures are ‘invisible’ due to lives spent in seclusion in underground burrows. Getting rid of these pests requires patience and a willingness to experiment. Moving forward with our research, we hope to unlock the key to that will help homeowners solve the problem quickly and easily.”
Homeowners who want to share their mole woe tales can enter Sweeney’s 4th annual nationwide “I hate moles because….” contest at http://www.wrsweeney.com/i_hate_moles.php. The winner will receive a $500 Lowe’s Home Improvement gift card. Nine runner-ups will receive a gift basket filled with an arsenal of mole control solutions from Sweeney’s.
This press release is presented without editing for your information.GRIT does not recommend, approve or endorse the products and/or services offered. You should use your own judgment and evaluate products and services carefully before deciding to purchase.
