Cures for Mole Maladies

Identifying the problem

You can diagnose a molehill by its shape. Moles typically produce a volcano-shaped mound with a hole in the center (figure A). Were it gophers, the hole would be to one side and the dirt would be messed up.

One good thing about moles: They don't eat and destroy plants the way gophers do. In fact, the fluffy soil that moles create makes a great home for plant roots, but the mounds they produce as a result are a tad unsightly.

Addressing the problem: The heavy-handed method

One way to get rid of moles is to drown them out. To do so, insert a hose into one of the mounds (figure B). The adults will flee at the first sign of water. But if you're not up for killing baby animals, this method might not be for you — baby moles won't figure out they need to flee until it's too late.

Equally barbaric are some of the traps available in stores (figure C).

Addressing the problem: Paul James' way

For the record, Gardening by the Yard host Paul James is a big fan of sniffing out, rather than snuffing out, moles.