Species-Specific Management (SSM)

Moles

There are three main species of moles commonly found in the southern Appalachians; the star-nosed mole (Condylura cristata), the hairy-tailed mole (Parascalops breweri), and the eastern mole (Scalopus aquaticus). Although moles are often considered a nuisance, they should be on a list of beneficial mammals of the forest.

Moles are insectivorous, preying on grubs, worms, and insects while doing relatively little damage to roots. The also may carry the spores of mycorrhizae underground and disperse them. Their burrowing increases percolation and thus improves site quality.

In areas where mole damage is a problem, eradication has been found the most satisfactory method of control. Trapping is one recommended method. However, traps may be unsuccessful due to being improperly set.

In past studies, several poisoning techniques have been found to be simpler and more satisfactory than traps but laws and regulations have almost eliminated the ability of anyone to use such poisons. Check with local control agents and advisors before attempting any type of poison controls. Past uses that resulted in a few secondary-poisoning cases. Peanut baits have been used, suggesting feeding habits beyond those on insects.

If poisoning is not desired or possible, there are several approaches that may be useful to the land owner and forester with recreational lawns to be managed:

1. reduce the amount of grassed yard or encourage wildflowers or diverse "grown-up" areas in the yard.
2. use an insecticide to control lawn insects, which would reduce food and hence the mole population.
3. encourage or introduce predators:
   • Encourage (or not remove) large snakes,
   • Encourage owls by building nest boxes, or
   • Encourage a domestic cat (unless harmful to other interests such as songbirds).

An Internet source.

Henning, W.L. 1952 J Mammalogy 33(3):392-395 had notes on keeping them in captivity.

A contribution of Jack Darl Fletcher, Jr. and Paul Brian Huba

Idea: note low mole sign near TV cables and pipes "grounds"

Ideas from Giles for critical lawns and gardens (related to enterprise system)

• use a carbide circular saw blade like that used to cut concrete
• Cut patterns across the yeard to minimize edge and insure complete coverage and minimize the area near the edge.
• Edge = the thin sawn trench in the lawn
• Insert 6 inch garden edger <
• >insert with 5 inch tube on end of caulking gun a poisonous bait 5 inches under the ground
• apply insecticide to lawn
• sprinkle lightly
• vigorously rake the lawn to get rid of all old grass, etc.
• roll the lawn
• isolate and trap the residual animals
• sell lawn care books and se\rvices
• pull up plastic edging in a week.