Could Use Some Landscaping Advice

libby74 · Mar 15, 2010

I have moles, billions and billions of moles. (well, maybe only a couple

) I have a few bird feeders under my linden tree, along with a shade garden and stepping stones. The moles manage to heave the stepping stones, making a huge mess and defeating their purpose. I'm thinking of using some pebbles, landscaping fabric and staples under the stones. I'd have to pull up the stones, obviously, but then I'm not sure in what order to do the pebbles and fabric. I use my snowblower on the stepping stones in the winter and don't want pebbles to be flying all over the place. Do you think it would work if I laid down a base of pebbles at least a foot wider than the stepping stones, put the landscape fabric over the pebbles, then secure the edges of the fabric with landscaping staples? I'd fill in with some dirt or ground cover around the stones so I wouldn't have the fabric staring me in the face.

Or, would it make more sense to put down the fabric, then the pebbles, put the stepping stones on top of them and try to keep the pebbles contained in that area? I have visions of the pebble being scattered all over the place.

I know, not an earth shattering problem but the moles are making such a mess that I absolutely have to do something. And if anyone has any advice on getting rid of the moles without harming the birds and squirrels, I'd appreciate it.

dusty's mom · Mar 15, 2010

If you use medium size river rock and not small pea gravel, the blower shouldn't move them. They look nice too.

libby74 · Mar 15, 2010

If you use medium size river rock and not small pea gravel, the blower shouldn't move them. They look nice too.

I do have some river rock around the base of my shepherd's hooks; they're probably the size of a fist and larger. The moles manage to heave them, too. I like the look, but don't know if it would be enough to keep the nasty little varmints from moving everything around. I'm hoping the landscaping fabric will keep them underground where they belong.

weldrwomn · Mar 15, 2010

My advice is to get rid of the moles. I would suggest trapping or poisoning, but if you don't want to kill them you might try appealing to their sense of fear by digging into the tunnels in a couple of places and putting a urine ball from your cat's litter box. The other thing you might try is digging into the tunnels and dropping a few mothballs .

fisheater · Mar 15, 2010

I have no experience with moles or landscape fabric, but I would find out if the moles would likely chew through the fabric before spending too much money and time on it. Would laying something like chicken wire down work? I do not know how big moles are and if they would be able to wiggle through the gaps in chicken wire, but I really doubt they could chew through it.

Oh yeah, I like the mothballs idea. It worked wonders for us and the pigeons on our roof.

I did a quick google search on how to keep moles from tearing up your yard. One site said pour used cat litter down their holes, another said you can bury a barrier such as an aluminum sheet.

Good luck to you!

nurseangel · Mar 15, 2010

I used to know of a way to get rid of moles without harming them, but I can't think of it right now. It will probably come back to me in the middle of the night. I'm almost positive there is some kind of plant that they can't tolerate being around.

Addendum: I did a search that said moles are anti-marigold and daffodil. (My words, not theirs.) Marigolds are annuals, but maybe you could try setting out some daffodils as a border? I don't think either of these are the type of plant I am trying to remember....

libby74 · Mar 15, 2010

I'd never heard of using a 'cat-cookie' in the mole runs; heaven knows I have enough "urine balls" to go around, what with 6 cats living with me. I don't want to kill the little varmints, just send them to my neighbor's yards. I also like the mothball idea but, wow do those things stink!

Marigold won't help because this is a really shady area under a tree. Daffodils probably wouldn't get enough early spring sun to do much, either.

The nasty little critters enjoy pushing my hosta roots up out of the ground, too. That really, really bothers me.

I like the chicken wire idea, but maybe even using a finer mesh wire. Moles aren't very big (think good sized gerbil with giant claws), but the damage they can do is amazing. Maybe the wire AND landscaping fabric under the stepping stones, and the cat cookies and mothballs near the hostas?

lyrajean · Mar 15, 2010

Fence in the yard and set the cat loose!

Just kidding. Our family cats (not Aya) have been in and out cats. They keep the moles and other varmits in check.

Our septic system is rather high 'cause of the water table and all. there is a metal plate covered access hatch. Well the fermentation keeps the ground real warm even in winter so the moles can still burrow through the ground on top of it. Our last ferocious hunter cat would sit on the metal plate (in winter in VT mind you) and watch the openings of the tunnels.

Can you say 'whack-a-mole'?

bedweary · Mar 16, 2010

I have a tremendous mole problem, too. I have read that planting garlic around the perimeter of your yard will deter them.

We've got mole runs that have washed out from rain and created trenches in the yard deep enough to break an ankle if you step on the edge of them. That hasn't happened so far, hopefully it never will. I have been putting used cat litter in them to fill 'em up, but if you use litter to fill holes, be sure to put a layer of dirt on top as it is gooey and sticky after it's been rained on.

As for getting rid of the moles, I'd try some of the previous suggestions (traps, poison, nuggets from the litter box). I'm going to try letting Iris control them as she is very talented at finding them, and moles supposedly will do all they can to avoid cats.

Also, I had been wondering (and was going to post about it), if kitty does get hold of one of these annoying little critters, is there any possibility that a mole could seriously harm a cat?

libby74 · Mar 16, 2010

if kitty does get hold of one of these annoying little critters, is there any possibility that a mole could seriously harm a cat?

Take a look at the claws on this thing! (hope I got this link correct)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Cl..._of_mole.jpg\\

fisheater · Mar 16, 2010

Originally Posted by libby74

Take a look at the claws on this thing! (hope I got this link correct)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Cl..._of_mole.jpg\\

Oh my look at those claws! You need to remove the \\ at the end of the above link and it will work

strange_wings · Mar 16, 2010

A gopher or rat could probably leave a few battle wounds on a cat, but moles are tiny squishy things. They really don't fare to well against a cat - especially since that's a cats natural prey.

I really think the wound on Sherman's face when I caught him wasn't from a cat fight - no puncture wounds and it looked different. I think he scuffled with a gopher. Sherman's just dumb enough to get himself hurt.

Past indoor/outdoor cats have always used mole hills as convenient toilets, often pooping right down the hole. It never seemed to scare any moles away.

Your best bet, if you truly want them gone, is to treat your yard for grubs.

bedweary · Mar 17, 2010

Originally Posted by strange_wings

Your best bet, if you truly want them gone, is to treat your yard for grubs.

Yep, that's why we have such a problem with them. Our yard abounds with Japanese beetle & cricket grubs. I need to treat the yard but don't want to apply anything that would harm Iris. She generally spends a couple of hours a day running in the yard, chasing bugs, chewing grass, and attacking the ground where she sees a mole disturbing it. From the looks of the photo, it's probably a good thing that she can't dig fast enough to get hold of one!

libby74 · Mar 17, 2010

Originally Posted by bedweary

I need to treat the yard but don't want to apply anything that would harm Iris.!

That's my problem, too. The moles are most active near the bird and squirrel feeders, so I can't use anything toxic to get rid of the grubs because of all the other varmints in the yard.

strange_wings · Mar 17, 2010

When it warms up you could try renting a trench digger from a local equipment rental, call your utilities to have things marked off, then go around the entire perimeter of your yard. Dig down about 30" and bury a metal (probably sheet metal or something) barrier so they can't travel into your yard.

The only other method is kill traps that look rather gruesome.

rockcat · Mar 17, 2010

Ok, I know this sounds silly and I don't know if it works, but I heard that putting small radios (like you can get in the dollar store) in the holes and playing loud music will drive them away.

Good luck!

fisheater · Mar 17, 2010

Originally Posted by Rockcat

Ok, I know this sounds silly and I don't know if it works, but I heard that putting small radios (like you can get in the dollar store) in the holes and playing loud music will drive them away.

Good luck!

That would certainly be enough to drive me away, lol!

gailc · Mar 18, 2010

Well since I'm a landscaper these are my thoughts........

Are you sure the damage is due to moles? Have you actually seen one in your yard??
If your turf or planting beds have any tunnels that seem to be right below the surface of say last years grass about 1" wide this is Vole (meadow mice) damage. Voles like to find a nice place to overwinter and chew on your plants roots for food. Grrrrr......

Anyhow you should contact your local Cooperative Extension Office (google it) Or also go on University of IL Champaign-Urbana's website as they have great horticulture info.
www.extension.uiuc.edu

If you want to specifically fix an area that has the stepping stone my advice is don't.
Its much more involved than you think. It would be like laying a paver patio to do the best job. Meaning excavating the soil (can't change grade around a tree). Using screenings compacted into a base. Landscape fabric basically useless in this application.
Setting the stepping stones but then what would you place around the stones are they would be a planted area?? Jus tnot the right thing to do IMO.

I would contact the extension office/Master gardeners in your area to see what works for them. You can possibly look at your state's Dept of Natural Resources website for pest control too.

PM me if you need more info

libby74 · Mar 19, 2010

[Are you sure the damage is due to moles? Have you actually seen one in your yard??
If your turf or planting beds have any tunnels that seem to be right below the surface of say last years grass about 1" wide this is Vole (meadow mice) damage. Voles like to find a nice place to overwinter and chew on your plants roots for food. Grrrrr......

/QUOTE]

Maybe I have both!
I have tunnels that are at least 3" wide with a little 'volcano' at the end. I'm assuming that's the mole run, and they are all over the yard.
The stepping stones and uprooted hostas are near the bird feeders, where there is a lot of seed and corn. I suppose that's what attracts the voles?

And no, I haven't actually seen a mole (or a vole for that matter) in my yard.
Thanks very much for the input.

pushylady · Mar 19, 2010

That little moles is so cute! Look at his little snout!

I used to think our cats were catching moles, but now I realise they're voles. Cute also and I feel bad that they catch them, but hey they are mighty hunters.
Sorry, no advice here, but I hope you can come up with a non toxic solution.

Could Use Some Landscaping Advice

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