How do you deal with rats and moles? - briefly
Use snap traps, bait stations, and sealing of entry points to eliminate rodents, and install mole‑specific traps or create underground barriers to deter moles. Combine sanitation, habitat modification, and professional pest‑control services for lasting results.
How do you deal with rats and moles? - in detail
Effective control of rodent and burrowing pest infestations requires a systematic approach that combines prevention, monitoring, and targeted removal.
Identify entry points and eliminate them. Seal cracks, gaps around pipes, and openings in foundations with steel wool, cement, or metal flashing. Trim vegetation that contacts structures, as vines and overgrown shrubs provide pathways for access. Keep food sources inaccessible by storing waste in sealed containers and promptly cleaning spills.
For rats, implement an integrated pest management (IPM) program:
- Deploy snap traps or electronic devices in active runways; position them perpendicular to walls, with the trigger end facing the wall.
- Use bait stations containing anticoagulant rodenticides only where legal and safe, ensuring placement out of reach of non‑target animals and children.
- Conduct regular inspections to locate fresh droppings, gnaw marks, and urine stains; replace traps and replenish bait as needed.
- Employ exclusion techniques such as metal mesh around vents and conduit openings to prevent re‑entry after removal.
Mole control focuses on disrupting underground activity:
- Install underground barriers of hardware cloth (½‑inch mesh) extending 2 feet deep around gardens, lawns, or raised beds to block tunneling.
- Apply mole‑specific traps, such as scissor‑jaw or harpoon models, directly over active tunnels; set traps at a 45‑degree angle to the tunnel wall for optimal capture.
- Use non‑chemical repellents, including castor oil‑based granules or liquid sprays, applied to the soil surface and re‑applied after heavy rain.
- Encourage natural predators by providing habitats for owls, hawks, and snakes; maintain a diverse ecosystem to reduce mole populations over time.
Maintain ongoing surveillance. Record trap catches, monitor tunnel activity, and adjust methods seasonally. Combine physical barriers, mechanical traps, and, where appropriate, regulated chemical controls to achieve long‑term suppression of both rats and moles.