Now the moles

[hughnique]

So we have sorted the flies what with one device or another, one still in transit, we come to the moles, must be the size of an elephant seal, molehills coming up to 18 inches tall and round, what are the recommendations for eliminating these pesky critters.

[niemeyjt]

Well, assuming you do not want the free supply of wonderful loam they produce, then these worked for me . . . .

https://detaupeur.com/

[Sparkle]

We did find planting garlic bulbs along with childrens windmills and the silver milk bottle tops (that in the UK we'd been collecting for charity then thought our own charity was in dire need) threaded on string held up on canes to add more vibration - it did appear to work - that was back in 2004 unless Jasper Carrott had paid a visit - boom

[Quiksilver]

Le Detaupeur, every time. Leave the furry one in the gallery and you won't be bothered by others for a long time. As solutions go, it's the least cruel.

[curtis]

I tried allsorts with a little success.
Then le Détauper. Sorted !

[Polarengineer]

Petards are too expensive. Stick a stick in the hole and an upturned empty pet bottle on the stick. The wind does the rest.

[niemeyjt]

I tried allsorts with a little success.

Liquorice is not a known repellant.

[MAD87]

I tried allsorts with a little success.

Liquorice is not a known repellant.

My first thought!

Here is my solution - I once had a problem in 2 different gardens. It requires a little effort but no products, whether mechanical or chemical.
Excavate the hole and locate each chamber (there are usually about 5 or 6). Tightly pack each chamber with lengths of brambles or rosebush bits. Replace soil aand firm down.
The critters are not haemophiliac but they really don't fancy trying to force their way through prickly undergrowth.

This was recommended by a French neighbour, a professional gardener, and was very quickly effecttive. And the buggers never came back!

[Blaze]

That's a good solution MAD. The activities of just one mole can make it look as if there's a bunch of them. Plenty of brambles here !

[Hotrodder]

I have tried everything over a number of years with little success. I have had two Detaupers set for about four years now and the only effect is to deplete my wallet. At 12€ for five petards I have spent hundreds in that time apart from the initial cost of between 60-75€.
I have tried wire traps, smoke bombs, tractor exhaust fumes, diesel and diesel mixed with old sump oil, marine distress flares, water bottles on sticks, brambles, broken glass, urine, solar powered "thumpers", and most recently stuffing pool chlorine tablets down the holes. Gave up after using 10kg of the stuff. Every morning I find 5 to 20 new hills that have to be removed or raked out to allow free passage of my mower. Getting sick of it and wishing I had purchased a https://youtu.be/CgztUzqaL3E years ago. The Rodenator. Expensive but effective.