For many homeowners, moles can be a real pest- they are notorious for tearing up yards, killing grass and destroying flowerbeds. And along with their penchant for digging, moles can also be hazardous to your pets and children as they have been known to carry diseases like rabies.

It’s no wonder you want to get rid of them! But first, you will want to know what it is you’re up against. Moles, according to ihowd.com, are small mammals that dig through your yard at an astonishing rate of 12 to 15 feet an hour - pretty impressive considering their poor eyesight. As moles dig, they mainly feed on grubs, insects and worms. While digging can be beneficial for aerating your topsoil, the brown streaks of dead grass, unsightly mounds puckered up around your lawn, and expensive leveling repairs make moles unwanted visitors.

Three ways to get rid of digging moles

You basically want to make your yard inaccessible or uninviting to moles. 

1. Bury a durable mesh fence that goes a couple of feet below the surface around the perimeter of your yard, suggests www.chase-mole.com – especially if you live next to a wooded area, or your neighbor already has moles.

2. Remove their source of food - the grubs, insects, and worms. For the insects, pest products.com recommends either talstar, or acephate. These chemicals are designed to kill the grubs without harming pets or children and should be used as directed. You can also change your yard into a lawn-water landscape or reduce the amount of water you feed your yard making it more difficult for moles to surface and survive.

3. The last, and perhaps least preferred, is extermination. With this option comes your choice of trapping, gassing or poisoning. Some traps are designed to ensnare the mole so that you can safely release them in a non-residential area. There are also poison pellets available that can be put in traps or in the mole’s tunnels.

You may want to call in the professionals. Talk to friends and neighbors who have used a mole removal service to see which company is most effective and also talk to them about options, particularly if you prefer a no-kill solution. Moles can be quite crafty and elusive; the professionals will know how to safely and effectively deal with your problem.