Heavy thatch layers (over ½ inch) hold both heat and moisture and provide fungus with a ready supply of nutrients. Thatch also impedes drainage and blocks airflow your lawn needs to thrive. Annual core aeration in spring is best way to control thatch buildup. You can also control thatch during growing season by maintaining your lawn at a 2 ½ to 3 inch height and cutting no more than ⅓ of height when you mow.

Mowing time is also a good time to check your lawn for signs of disease. “Fairy rings”, “frog-eyes”, brown patches and other irregularities may signify beginning of a problem. However, before you purchase a “remedy” it’s best to have an infected patch inspected. Dig and take samples to your extension agency or to a recognized lawn care professional.

Many strains of fungus quickly develop a resistance to best fungicides. Controlling active fungus is truly a case where “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”. Start your lawn disease prevention plan by planting only disease resistant grass hybrids whether beginning a new lawn or reseeding patches of an old one.

For these reasons, even most effective method of mole removal, trapping, is not a permanent solution to a “mole problem”. Besides which, three types of mole traps that work with any success sound like relics from Spanish inquisition— harpoons, scissor-jaws, and choker loops. In fact, numerous remedies have been used to try to control moles Pickle juice, red pepper, razor blades, bleach, moth balls, brambles, human hair braids and hair balls, vibrators, ultra sonic devices, and poisons offer inconsistent and generally ineffective results; many including environmentally unfriendly side effects.

As in all elements of lawn care, best solution to a lawn mole problem is applying practical gardening principles. Mole tunnels (except for hilled entrances) are typically deep enough to be almost invisible. Over-watering your yard brings earthworms and other invertebrates close to surface, making it necessary for moles to “move up” in search of them. Reducing amount or frequency of watering may help both moles and their prey stay underground where they are most beneficial to your lawn.

Another solution to a lawn mole problem is to reduce size of your lawn, converting it to gardens, paths, and hedgerows. First, moles prefer straight tunnel runs. However, more importantly, converting some lawn to gardens, paths, hedgerows and patio areas adds eye-appeal, reduces signs of damage, and in addition attract birds and butterflies to your property.