Moles are small but destructive, according to Lucy Moreland, a 4-H natural resource instructor for the Cooperative Extension Service, University of Arkansas.

The six-inch long fur-covered mammal weighs about four ounces, but it can destroy a perfectly groomed lawn.

The mole travels underground through tunnels it creates. Mole tunnels vary in depth from just below the surface to 28 inches beneath the ground.

A molehill can be up to a foot in diameter. These hills and tunnels are created with the moles’ long claws on its forefeet and its hind feet, which press against the tunnel sides.

The tunnels are made as the animal hunts for earthworms, insect larvae and slugs. “The mole’s diet mostly consists of earthworms, but it does eat the roots of some plants, so while it’s tearing up your yard it’s also killing many of your plants,” Moreland said.

While the mole’s tunnels do aerate the soil, they can dig up a well kept lawn, said Janet Carson, an extension horticulturist.

Castor beans are one way to get rid of moles, according to Carson. The beans form a large, toxic plant that repels moles and gophers. “Some people pour castor oil into the soil, but this may cause other problems within the soil. It’s much safer to use the
beans.

“There are also traps and baits available to rid yourself of these creatures. People may want to try a variety of things to determine what works best for them and their lawn,” Carson said.

More information about mole traps and bait is available at your county office of the Cooperative Extension Service.