Click Here to Print Instructions (PDF) 

How To Use TOMCAT MOLE KILLER

Damage to lawns occurs when moles tunnel underground in search of food. 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.

Depending upon your location, moles create two types of tunnels: surface runways and deep tunnels. Each has its own distinct appearance above ground. When baiting, you want to place the 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 above ground 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 is 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 location.

 

BAITING DEEP TUNNELS:

Large mounds of dirt above ground — a mole hill — indicate deep tunnels below. 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.

 

STEP 2: Bait Active Deep Tunnels

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 tunnels in the same area, we recommend you follow the baiting strategy for surface tunnels.