The mole is a fascinating little creature, but if you ask the typical homeowner about the mammal, you might hear cursing and sense frustration. That's because the mole is brilliant at destroying lawns and gardens by its constant and sophisticated digging habits. The animal basically lives underground below the earth's surface, so it's always burrowing and messing with the landscape it inhabits.

Before you can solve a mole problem, you need to learn more about the little guy's or gal's behavior patterns. Moles do not live in large groups, so that is a bit encouraging for your backyard. Except for breeding, moles are believed to remain solitary as adults. In other words, moles are not highly social animals and avoid contact with other moles.

You know you have a mole problem when you notice mounds of dirt and/or surface tunnels about your property. These defacements to your yard are performed by the small mammal as it hunts for food; worms are its dietary favorite.

Some animal experts believe the best way to solve a problem with moles is to trap them. The mammals are active all year long but less so during winter. Spring and fall appear to be the best times to capture them.

Trapping a mole centers around two philosophies, the more humane method and the less humane method. For the gentler approach, method number one allows you to catch the creature and keep it alive.

You will need two shovels and a sturdy cardboard box to perform this task. Some folks call a professional to remove the pest from their backyard because with this technique, you will become "up close and personal" with the mole. Some are not excited to meet the furry, squinting mammal with the large digging claws.
Take your shovel and pat down any molehills you observe around your lawn or garden. Then move away from those mounds, and patiently wait in the distance for the mole to reopen one of the mounds you had patted down. When you see this, take your two shovels and quickly go plunge them into the ground, placing one shovel on either side of where you saw the disturbed dirt move.

Now the mole is trapped within the tunnel where you plunged the shovels. Get your cardboard box handy nearby, and dig out your pest from its tunnel, and carefully transfer it into the box. Drive to a field far from your home, and release it back into nature.

Method number two involves using a metal trap designed with a spring load or one with a scissors-type set-up to ensnare the mole and kill it without poison, chemicals, or bait. These kinds of traps can be bought at the hardware store and are positioned into the tunnel and covered back with dirt. The mole's instinct is to reopen the tunnel, and when they achieve that, the powerful trap will release when the creature unknowingly pushes up on the trigger.

The killing traps are safe when placed in people's yards because the "moving parts" are designed to work under the ground and nowhere near children or pets.

Other methods people use to solve the mole problem are by placing mole bait around the tunnels. This "worm imitator" is laced with a lethal chemical dose. There are also mole smoke bombs that are effective when the poisonous gas is placed right into the mole's nesting burrow. Some folks prefer using organic mole repellents that come in granulated or liquid form to be applied to the lawn. There are also insecticides that kill the mole's food sources.

Maintaining a gorgeous lawn is simple when you have the right kind of help. There are some people who master the art of pruning, edging, weeding, and cutting, and there are other people who hire help for every minor detail in the yard. Some people are better at lawn care than others, other people haven’t the kind of time to devote to their lawn, and others wouldn’t even begin to know where to start. That’s why this list is a comprehensive list of things you always need to hire help for when it comes to caring for your lawn.

1) Landscaping
If you want your lawn to look good all the time, it’s time to hire a professional landscaping company to make sure it happens. It’s fine if you have a green thumb and the time to devote, but most people don’t. If you hire pros to landscape your lawn, it’s imperative you also hire them to maintain the lawn for you. It’s the only way to keep up with the aesthetics.

2) Mowing
If you find yourself in dread every time you get out the lawn mower, and your grass is usually longer than it should be, it’s time to hire a lawn care company. They work hard to ensure your lawn is mowed, cut perfectly, and free of weeds every week. Their job is to know how short to cut your grass without harming it, how to make your lawn look good, and they can even do the trimming and edging for you.

3) Florals
Flowers are beautiful, but they do require attention, care, and specific requirements depending on the type of flower. There are many different types of flowers, and some species will flourish better depending on the climate, geographic area, and seasons of the year. It’s not entirely uncommon for people to try to do this themselves and see it fail. This is where a pro comes in handy! They are aware of what flowers will work best where you live, while making your yard look beautiful. They also have the availability to give the attention and energy needed to keep your garden healthy.

4) Retaining Walls
Retaining walls are becoming one of the most popular ways to add interest to any lawn, and people are falling more and more in love with them. However, retaining walls are not meant to be built by those who aren’t familiar with proper irrigation, with proper leveling concepts, and with basic gardening knowledge. It’s best to leave this to the pros.

5) Water Features
If you want to stand a store-bought water fountain on the front porch, go for it. If you want a high-end water feature such as a Koi pond or a waterfall added to the pool, you need to call the professionals. It’s not easy work, and it requires ample knowledge and support. Doing this yourself could cause more harm than damage.

While no one is saying you aren’t skilled, they are saying you should hire professionals if you’re unsure what you are doing, if you don’t have the time, and if you want your lawn to look spectacular. Landscaping is an important feature, and hiring people who make it their line of work is a wise idea. Let your lawn look its absolute best.