Oregon Mole Information
Oregon Townsend Mole
Oregon mole's are mammals that are in the order of Insectivora (insect eaters). They are often confused with being rodents likes rats and mice. These animals are gnawing pest's, but moles are better known for being burrowing animals. There are four species of moles that can be found throughout the Northwest, including Oregon. They are the townsend's mole, broad-footed mole, coast mole, and the shrew mole. The most common moles found in Northwest Oregon is the townsend's mole which accounts for most of the damage.
Although these mole's have a slight difference in size and where you can find them, they have a lot in common. They have body shapes that are round which make it easy for them to move through small tunnel's. Also they have large front paws that are made for digging and burrowing through soil. The feet are wide and used as paddles for moving large amounts of dirt. Mole's do not have ears on the outside of their body, but instead they use their sensitive snouts to feel with. The snout is also used for finding prey like earth worms or other insects.
Although these mole's have a slight difference in size and where you can find them, they have a lot in common. They have body shapes that are round which make it easy for them to move through small tunnel's. Also they have large front paws that are made for digging and burrowing through soil. The feet are wide and used as paddles for moving large amounts of dirt. Mole's do not have ears on the outside of their body, but instead they use their sensitive snouts to feel with. The snout is also used for finding prey like earth worms or other insects.
Oregon Mole Damage
Oregon Mole Damage
Oregon mole's will sometimes eat plants or vegetation which can add up to %20 percent of their diet. Damage from this can include garden destruction or crop loss. The main damage from moles is dirt mounds and tunnels. It is very rare to see a mole above ground, but you will see dirt mound throughout your yard. This is a sign that you have an active mole(s) on your property. Moles are active year round and they constantly create new tunnels. The dirt mounds that you see above ground are from the tunnel's that moles dig. When a mole is burrowing a new tunnel or extending an old one it will create a small side tunnel to the surface.
This is how they push the excess dirt to the surface. Mole's create different dirt mound's than gophers. Moles will create a round mound because they push the dirt up through the middle. During the colder month's moles will dig deeper to find food. The number of dirt mounds does not indicate the amount of moles in the area. An average mole might create 50-100 mounds in a month if they are very active. You can see a dirt mound in the picture above.
This is how they push the excess dirt to the surface. Mole's create different dirt mound's than gophers. Moles will create a round mound because they push the dirt up through the middle. During the colder month's moles will dig deeper to find food. The number of dirt mounds does not indicate the amount of moles in the area. An average mole might create 50-100 mounds in a month if they are very active. You can see a dirt mound in the picture above.
Oregon Mole Control Methods
When trying to control moles you can find many different options. Below is a list of the most common methods that can be used when removing a mole from your property. Although we list many option, it is important to understand that before attempting any of these we recommend getting help from a professional. Especially when it comes to poisoning or trapping moles.
Mole Trapping
The most common method of removing moles from your yard is trapping. You can find many different types of mole traps, but the most common is the scissor trap. These are what most professional mole control companies use because they can be the quickest way to kill a mole. When used properly they are very humane traps because it is a quick kill. Before setting a trap you need to find an active mole tunnel. To find these we recommend using a probe and poking through the ground around a fresh dirt mound. Once you feel a tunnel you need to dig a hole that fit's the trap perfectly. This is important because you do not want the moles to avoid the traps. If you do not own a trap you should buy at least 6 to properly cover a normal yard.
Mole Poison
Before using any type of poison or toxic bait for moles you should check your local laws and regulations. We do not recommend using poison because of the safety risks, but if you do remember to follow the direction for each product. The key to being successful with poison is the placement of the product. When applying toxic baits you need to find the right place so mole's can find them. Similarly to trapping you need to find an active runway which can be done by probing around dirt mounds.
Mole Poison Gas
Another option is gassing moles, which is more difficult than poison but can be effective is done right. We do not recommend doing this because it has been found that moles can block tunnels with dirt to prevent gas getting through to them. The most common product for this is the gas bombs that you light. Then you insert them into mole tunnels and block the hole.
Mole Sonic Repellent
When you do not want to kill mole's many people try to repel them. The sonic spike is an option but it have very low success rate. When it does work it only moves moles to different parts of your property. In order to make this method effective you would have to purchase at least a dozen.
Mole Flooding
This method is one that many people have tried and involves using a water hose to fill the mole tunnel. It is rarely effective because the mole's can easily seal up tunnels before completely being flooded. This is the same method that moles use when it is raining heavily. We do not recommend this method not only because it is not effective, but also it is not the quickest way to dispatch a mole.
Shooting Moles
This method is one that many farmer's or rural people have heard of being effective. For obvious reason we do not recommend this in cities or places that shooting is not allowed. If you are in an area that you can shoot the most common gun is a shotgun, but it takes a lot patience and sometimes that will not even work. When shooting a mole you need to locate an active area and wait for them to push dirt out.