Motomco’s complete mole control program includes MOLE KILLER, a revolutionary mole bait, and Motomco’s new MOLE TRAP.
Scientifically proven to kill moles, MOLE KILLER resembles their natural food - earthworms and grubs - in size, shape and feel. This breakthrough product was developed and tested on live, captured moles and contains special enhancers to attract moles. It kills in just a single feeding. Moles usually die in their tunnel, often within 12-24 hours of ingesting a single worm. MOLE KILLER is EPA-approved for use by homeowners on lawns and gardens.
New MOLE TRAP is a heavy-duty, dual-spring trap that ensures maximum catching power. This “hands-free” mole trap is fast and easy to set. Simply place the trap jaws in an active tunnel and step on the trap’s yellow foot pedal to set the trigger below the surface. When a mole encounters the trigger, the yellow pedal springs up for easy notification. With its safety release button, MOLE TRAP can be disengaged and relocated to other tunnels for use over and over again.
Earthworm Formulation
Bait mimics moles’ natural food, the earthworm
EPA-approved for use on lawns and gardens
Ready-to-use; packaged in four trays with two worms per tray
PACKAGING
Product No.
Box of 8 worms
34310
Grub Formulation
Mimics grubs, another natural food source for moles
EPA-approved for use on lawns and gardens
Ready-to-use; follow directions on box
Four treatments; packaged in two trays with four grubs per tray
PACKAGING
Product No.
Box of 8 grubs
34360
Fast and easy to place and set
Yellow foot pedal makes notification of capture easy and safe
Heavy-duty for use in all types of soil; no rusting
In the past, manufacturers of mole baits assumed moles were like rats and mice. However, moles are insectivores, not rodents, with very different biological and physiological make-up. This ancient species of mammals is well adapted to life underground. With their powerful forelimbs, moles excavate through the ground in search of food, tunneling up to 100 feet per day which causes significant damage aboveground.
To fuel this high energy activity, moles require vast quantities of high protein foods. They consume grubs and insects but their favorite food is the earthworm. Contrary to popular belief, moles do not eat plants, roots or bulbs.
Moles live underground most of their lives. Moles seen on the surface are most often juveniles, forced from their mother's nest and moving to establish their own tunnel system.
While moles have had millions of years of evolution in honing their excavation skills, they are not the only creatures that instinctively dig or that will occupy mole tunnels. In fact, a variety of rodents (unrelated to moles) will gladly take advantage of abandoned mole tunnels as safe passageways from area to area.
Two rodents commonly mistaken for moles are pocket gophers and voles. However, pocket gophers and voles make clearly visible entry and exit holes to their tunnels. Look for these especially at the beginning and end of visible tunnels.
Pocket Gopher: Unlike moles, pocket gophers are rodents. They are grain eaters. With their large clawed forepaws, they grow from 5 – 14 inches in length.
Voles: Voles are rodents and generally are 4 – 7 inches in body length with small eyes and ears. They eat a variety of plants, grasses, crops and bark. Their presence is evident by damage to ornamentals, trees, and garden plants. Voles have been known to occupy abandoned mole tunnels.
MOLE DAMAGE
Because moles live underground, they are rarely seen. Thus, the key indicator of moles is the damage to lawns that occurs when moles tunnel underground in search of food.
Typically moles create two types of tunnels – surface runways and deep tunnels – each with its distinct appearance aboveground (see description below). Identifying the type of mole damage you are experiencing is vital in choosing a baiting and treatment strategy that will yield the most consistent results.
Before baiting, it is important to properly identify the primary surface runways or deep tunnels because each requires a specific baiting and treatment strategy to achieve the most consistent results. Also when baiting, place bait in active runways where the moles will find it. Not only is this the most cost-effective method but it ensures the best results, as well.
Baiting Surface Runways:
Surface runways appear as raised, brown, grassless streaks on a lawn, created when moles tunnel below. Surface tunnels tend to be the most prevalent type of damage seen throughout the U.S. These unsightly patches fall into two categories: primary and exploratory.
Primary runways indicate active tunnels that you will want to bait. Generally they are long and relatively straight tunnels that a mole will travel through as often as 3 times a day.
Exploratory runways, on the other hand, have the appearance aboveground more like a spider web. Moles create them as they explore new feeding areas. They are often abandoned and should not be baited.
STEP 1: Pre-baiting Assessment to Locate Active Runways
Day 1: Determine where the active mole runways are located by creating assessment holes as follows: Carefully poke a hole in the top of the surface runway with your index finger or a small half-inch dowel or probe. Be careful not to collapse the pile or cover up the hole. Mark the hole with a small stick, plastic spoon or other visible marker.
Repeat this procedure in several runway locations throughout your yard. Then wait 24 – 48 hours.
Day 2/3: Check the assessment holes to see if they have been sealed. A mole traveling through its tunnel will seal the assessment hole.
If the holes are sealed, you've located an active runway which can be baited. Leave the marker near the hole. If holes are still open, pull the markers. This an inactive area.
Continue this assessment procedure until you've located active tunnels.
STEP 2: Baiting Active Runways
Bait only active runways that show activity within 24 – 48 hours of your assessment. Do not bait your original assessment hole; you will use it again later.
Poke a hole 3 to 5 feet on either side of the assessment hole and place one worm bait down each hole. With a pencil, a probe or your finger, push the worm as far down as you can. Make sure each worm is sitting on the floor of the runway. If it is not, the mole might not see the worm or the mole might push it out.
After pushing the worm down to the floor of the runway, reseal the runway with dirt to keep out any light. Pinch the hole closed or cover it with a piece of sod or a small rock. Be careful not to collapse or disturb the runway.
IMPORTANT: Be sure to re-open the assessment hole.
Bait other active runways in a similar manner. Wait 24 hours.
Day 3/4: Check to see if the assessment hole is sealed. If plugged, you know the mole has traveled through the runway and more than likely eaten the bait. A single worm bait will kill a mole in as little as 12 – 24 hours. Leave runways alone for 5 - 7 days.
One week later: Verify elimination of activity by repeating the pre-baiting assessment process: If continued activity is found, re-bait these locations.
Baiting Deep Tunnels
Deep tunnels are often 3 feet or more underground and consist of the mole's living, food storage and latrine areas. Deep tunnels are evident aboveground as large mounds of dirt - "mole hills" - which are created when the mole pushes soil and debris to the surface while establishing or expanding these tunnels. This is typically the case in the Pacific Northwest where moles create these volcano-shaped deep tunnels.
STEP 1: Locate Active Deep Tunnels
Day 1: Unlike surface tunnels where you place bait on either side of an active assessment tunnel, you will bait deep tunnels directly.
To locate the deep tunnel, scrape the dirt away from the mound. Probe to locate the tunnel opening or hole which leads down to the mole's active tunnel.
Once you've located the opening, insert a long probe (a broom handle or stick, for example) into the hole and carefully move it about until you've determined the direction (slant) of the passageway leading to the deep tunnel. When the probe enters the tunnel, you will feel a quick decrease in resistance from the probe.
Repeat this procedure at other locations. Once you complete this task, wait 24-48 hours to see if the holes are resealed. Then bait where holes are resealed as directed in STEP 2 below.
Day 2/3: Re-open the sealed assessment hole again by inserting a long probe into the hole opening and carefully moving it until you've found the the passageway leading to the deep tunnel. Again, when the probe enters the tunnel, you will feel a quick decrease in resistance from the probe.
To bait, drop one worm deep into the tunnel. Use the probe to push the bait completely into the tunnel. Cover the hole with dirt, a rock or other object.
Day 3/4: Check to see if the assessment hole is plugged. If it is, the mole has traveled through and more than likely eaten the mole bait. A mole typically will die 12-24 hours after eating the bait.
One week later: Verify elimination of activity by repeating the pre-baiting assessment process. If continued activity is found, re-bait the tunnels.
TIP: If you have both service runways and deep runnels in the same area, we recommend you follow the baiting strategy for surface tunnels.
3 KEY REMINDERS FOR SUCCESSFUL BAITING
1. Determine the type of mole damage (surface runways or deep tunnels)
This is critical in employing a baiting and treatment strategy that will yield the most consistent results for the problem you are experiencing.
2. Identify and bait only active locations
Motomco MOLE KILLER is a proven, powerful bait that should be placed only in areas where you have confirmed very recent activity (within the last 24 hours). Otherwise, bait could be wasted and getting control will be more costly than it needs to be.
3. Monitor treated areas for control
The conventional wisdom that there is only one mole per acre is untrue. Moles often create tunnel systems that intertwine with each other in the same yard. In this case, more than one mole may be living in a very small area.
Also, properties adjacent to woods, fields, streams or other similar areas are susceptible to re-colonization. It is quite common for new moles to occupy abandoned tunnel systems. While this can occur anywhere, it happens most frequently in these locations that have on-going mole pressure. If you live in one of these areas, continued monitoring and evaluation for new mole activity will be necessary.
How do I apply MOLE KILLER?
First, identify the active tunnel systems. Then bait only these active areas by punching a finger-sized hole in the tunnel, placing MOLE KILLER into the tunnel and carefully covering the hole. Try not to damage the tunnel. Place bait 3 – 5 feet on both sides of an identified active area. See "How to Apply" section for specifics on baiting surface runways and deep tunnels.
How will I know if MOLE KILLER is working?
You will know MOLE KILLER was effective when signs of new tunnel development and further lawn damage are eliminated.
How does MOLE KILLER work?
Bromethalin, the active ingredient in MOLE KILLER, stops the conversion of food to energy. Moles typically die in their tunnels where they naturally decompose.
Is MOLE KILLER harmful to my lawn or plants?
No, MOLE KILLER will not harm lawns, flowering plants, trees or shrubs.
How long will MOLE KILLER remain active in my yard?
MOLE KILLER has been designed to naturally degrade leaving no build-up of active ingredient in the soil. Under normal conditions, this will happen in approximately 10 to 14 days.
Is it safe to let my pets run in the yard after it is treated with MOLE KILLER?
Whenever possible, it is best to have pets avoid the treatment area for at least 24 hours. However, the risk of your pet coming in contact with the bait is very small because the bait is always applied underground.
What should I do if I find a dead mole in my yard?
Moles typically die underground and naturally decompose. If you find one on the surface simply wrap in newspaper and place it into your garbage can. Wash hands thoroughly afterwards.
What if my pet eats a dead mole after I’ve used MOLE KILLER?
The active ingredient in MOLE KILLER has been shown to have little or no secondary poisoning effect. Thus, pets should not be at risk if they consume a mole that has eaten MOLE KILLER.
What should I do if my pet eats MOLE KILLER?
MOLE KILLER has been designed to be exclusively placed/used underground. When placed properly, the bait has been shown to not act as an attractant to pets. However, if your pet eats MOLE KILLER, take the animal to a veterinarian immediately for evaluation and/or treatment.
