Friday, June 20, 2014

Protecting Property With Atlanta Mole Control And Removal

By Dave L. Weglin


Moles are small furry mammals that live underground for most of their lives. These creatures are actually beneficial to the environment because they help aerate soil and feed on the larvae of various destructive insects. Although they present no danger to humans, their presence can have a devastating effect on residential lawns and gardens. Homeowners who notice damage can seek help from Atlanta mole control and removal experts.

The average mole is between six and eight inches long and has a sleek coat of velvety black or gray fur. It has tiny ears and eyes that are practically invisible and short hind limbs. It digs tunnels in the dirt below the ground's surface by using its powerful forelimbs with large claws.

These creatures live and feed underground, so they rarely come out of their subterranean tunnels. In fact, most people only know a mole is living on their property because of the soil mounds and surface tunnels it creates throughout the lawn. It takes the average mole approximately a minute to dig a tunnel more than a foot long.

These pests become more active when the soil is moist because this is when their prey is nearest the soil surface. They feed mostly on earthworms and other small invertebrate animals. A typical day consists of alternating cycles of feeding and resting that last two hours each, which is how they can destroy lawns in such a short amount of time.

These are solitary creatures but often do so much damage that property owners find it hard to believe that just a single animal is responsible for all the damage. One mole will dig multiple tunnels consisting of numerous burrows and branches forming an extensive underground network. Some tunnels are several inches below ground level but the ones just under the surface destroy plant roots and push the soil up to form long ridges.

The use of lethal traps is the most effective way to control these pests. Poisons are rarely effective because the animal hunts using sound and only eats living prey so it is unlikely to consume bait saturated with poison. Qualified exterminators have the training necessary to identify active feeding tunnels and set their traps accordingly.

Controlling these pests is necessary because they can damage more than just grass. They are harmful to sprinkler systems because they uproot the sprinkler heads and destroy the water lines. This can cause leaks that lead to flooding and require expensive repairs.




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