I’m excited to announce that Schendel has launched a new service program aimed at eliminating moles, gophers and voles.  These three pests create tunnels and holes underground, which not only make for unsightly lawns, but can be disruptive to the root systems of trees and plants.  Do you have any of these active critters in your yard?

About Moles
Moles eat up to 100% of their body weight daily.  Their food of choice is earthworms, so an earthworm problem could lead to a mole problem. Moles spend a majority of their lives underground in the loose, moist soil preferred by earthworms and grubs. Moles have eyes buried in fur, no ears that show, a long, naked snout and paddle-shaped forelegs that are clearly designed for digging.  Moles produce two types of tunnels, or “runways” in your yard. One runway runs just beneath the surface. These are feeding tunnels and appear as raised ridges running across your lawn. The second type of runway runs deeper and enables the moles to unite the feeding tunnels in a network. The soil excavated from the deep tunnels is what homeowners find on their lawns, piled in mounds.

About Gophers
Gophers are a small rodent about 5 to 7 inches long, not including the tail. They have a very short tail, tiny ears and eyes and huge yellowish front teeth which are always exposed. Gophers, like moles, leave dirt mounds behind. Gopher mounds are formed in a crescent or horseshoe shape.  Gophers almost always plug their burrows to be distinguished from vole holes. On average, a gopher makes about 1 to 3 mounds per day.

About Voles
Voles are blunt-nosed, short-tailed mice that are heavy vegetation eaters. The vole’s meal of choice is bulbs and hostas. If those are not available, then the roots of grass will be their next choice. Voles can flourish in the winter and are the most prolific rodent. Two can multiply into 100 in a single year. The major sign of vole activity is 1-inch diameter holes. Voles construct well-defined, visible tunnels, or runways at or near the surface, about two inches wide. Vole runways result from the voles eating the grass blades, as well as from the constant traffic of numerous little feet beating over the same path. Unlike moles, voles do not leave behind a mound.

Schendel has two program options for the treatment of moles, voles and gophers.  Both programs consist of three steps:  inspection, control methods and monitoring.  If you suspect moles, gophers or voles have invaded your yard, call us today to schedule a free inspection and to learn more about this new service from Schendel!