How do you get rid of moles or gophers?

Question

I have tons of burrows in my yard. I don't know if they are moles or gophers. I have dogs in the yard so don't know if the gopher remedies will be okay to use.

Answer 1

Gopher tunnels are not as easily detected, but mole hills are push up along their tunnel systems, leaving a raised, curved, easily visible, ridge.
http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/living/moles.htm

Traps, flooding, and gravel, mesh or concrete barriers can be effective. Here's a site that illustrates/explains:
http://www.getridofthings.com/get-rid-of-moles.htm

Many articles say using Castor oil is effective. Even the Washington Dept. of Fish & Wildlife site, which nixes the noise-scaring approach & other repellents, actually gives out a Castor oil recipe & after saying "No repellents currently available will reliably protect lawns or other plantings from moles"... then says this...
"The repellent will be most effective where it can be watered into the moist soil surrounding surface tunnels made by moles. Areas that receive extensive irrigation will quickly loose the repellent to leaching. For best results, spray the entire area needing protection; moles will burrow under a perimeter treatment. The repellent may need to be reapplied before moles depart. Once moles move elsewhere, the solution usually remains effective for 30 to 60 days."
The Recipe:
Using a blender to combine 1/4 cup of unrefined castor oil (can be purchased at most pharmacies) and 2 tablespoons of a dishwashing liquid. Blend the two together, add 6 tablespoons water, and blend again. Combine the concentrated mixture with water at a rate of 2 tablespoons of solution to 1 gallon of water. Use a watering can or sprayer to liberally apply the solution to areas where moles are active. The above mixture will cover approximately 300 square feet.
http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/living/moles.htm

If you have a lot of moles, you probably have an oversupply of grubs and bugs.
http://www.english-gardening.com/green_up_your_thumb/unwanted_visitors_how_to_deter_moles.htm
Elimination the mole's food source...grubs..and bugs ... is thought to be helpful. "The idea is to kill the grubs to make your yard less like a mole fast food drive through."
http://ezinearticles.com/?Proven-Tips-for-Eliminating-Ground-Moles&id=564546

Besides Castor oil, some people pour cat litter or human hair clippings into molehills & refill them until signs of the mole have disappeared.

"In Cole's Art of Simpling we are told that if a garden is infested with moles, Garlic or leeks will make them 'leap out of the ground presently.' "
http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/g/garlic06.html
Some sites say garlic deters moles, others say garlic has mixed results. This site also states that: "Planting chocolate lilies or “skunk lilies” around your yard can help keep moles away. The bulbs and flowers of this flower have a terrible, strong odor and moles find it distasteful."
http://www.essortment.com/home/gettingridofm_sxzf.htm

The Washington Dept. of Fish & Wildlife site also gives a more detailed explaination of using flooding, barriers, trapping & natural controls & states:
"It is often suggested that if you eliminate grubs from an area you will get rid of moles. Grubs make up only a portion of the mole's diet. During dry periods, moles are known to frequent well-irrigated lawns just for moisture. Thus, moles often are present even in grub-free yards. If all the earthworms, grubs, and other soil animals in a lawn are eliminated by repeated insecticide application, moles may be forced to seek other areas. However, the use of soil insecticides is an expensive approach with no immediate reduction of damage and little likelihood of long-term control. In the process, soil insecticides may poison the groundwater, kill beneficial soil invertebrates, and damage songbirds and other desirable wildlife."

From Cornell U. If you need to eliminate grubs, you could use beneficial nematodes. "They attack many different types of white grubs and are an effective, natural, & safe biological control alternative to pesticides. Just as one must select the appropriate insecticide to control a target insect, so must one choose the appropriate nematode species or strain." Ask your county Agricultural Extension agent for recommended matching of insect target and nematode.
http://www.nysaes.cornell.edu/ent/biocontrol/pathogens/nematodes.html

This is Bob Villa's site with suggestions from members:
http://www.bobvila.com/BBS/GETTING_RID_OF_MOLES_IN_YARD-Bugs_and_Pests-1-F117.html

Good luck! Hope this is helpful.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

Mole And Gopher Repellent

Answer 4

They aren't many proven alternatives on the market, and also those that are typically used do not give lasting results. For example, dermatologists often suggest medical procedures to remove moles and warts but with this manual, Moles, Warts and Skin Tags Removal from here you may find out that's yet another way https://tr.im/oyBIT
Once you can use Moles, Warts and Skin Tags Removal system you will feel so far better about yourself.  You will have a way to head out again, without the distress at all since this system works on every kind of mole, epidermis label, and wart.  It's even safe to make use of for genital warts. 
The very best part of Moles, Warts and Skin Tags Removal program is that you will have no scars and other spot as soon as your label is gone.

Answer 5

Safely & Permanently Remove Moles, Warts and Skin Blemishes

Answer 6

I'm a lawn tech. are the burrows soft under your feet and about 4-5 inches wide? if yes those are moles. look for a gummie worm-like poison bait in garden centers. follow label directions. baits are placed in tunnels underground and it takes more than the amount you would use to be fatally toxic to a small dog. gophers usually burrow under decks and patios creating large holes. use a live trap baited with lots of cut up apples. they love them. once you catch him release it very far away. they can come back from several miles!

Answer 7

Poison peanuts, can get themn the same place as yard chemical stuff for bugs, weeds etc. The come in a cone shaped cardboard can. use the point to make you a hole that doesn'e cave in, put some peanuts down there, cover hole up with a clod of dirt, small rock or something, you don't want to cave in the tunnel. Cover the spot with a box, cut milk jug or something as these will poison dogs if they dig them up & eat them.

Answer 8

We have a problem with voles (like moles, but blind). My neighbor told me to hook a hose up to my car's exhaust pipe, stick the hose in a hole, and gas them to death. I haven't tried it, but maybe it would work. (Doesn't do much good for my carefully cultivated organic garden soil, tho.)

Answer 9

this is somethings used in the days of ol - stick a piece of juicy fruit gum in the holes. they can not digest it so it kills them. kinda like feeding seagulls alkaseltzer. good luck.

Answer 10

spike traps. you gotta kill em. if ur worried about the dogs, just put a bucket over the traps after you set them.