Are moles making a mess of your beautifully manicured lawn? Moles can do considerable damage to lawns with their tunnel systems and mounds. This is especially true if your lawn is close to a wooded lot, which is a mole's natural habitat.

So what can you do to reduce or eliminate this pest? Repellents, traps and baits are your options. Keep in mind that moles are insectivores and earthworms are their favorite food. Many homeowners will use products to control lawn grubs and insects which may not reduce the mole population if earthworms are prevalent.

Repellents such as castor oil-based products and vibrators are safe to use around children and pets, but may take 2-4 weeks to become effective. Mole activity may actually increase for a few weeks as these repellents disrupt their normal patterns and make them more active before leaving the immediate area.

Many people find trapping to be the most effective way to control moles. There are several different types of traps including plunger traps, snare traps and scissor type traps. Traps will only be effective on active tunnels. To check if a tunnel is active, step down and flatten it and check back in 24-48 hours to see if the tunnel has been re-opened or lifted back up.

Another method of controlling moles is with baits, which are less labor intensive than repellents or traps. Several different mole baits are available including pellets, granules and artificial worms. Like traps, these products will only be effective in active tunnels. Always follow the product directions and use caution when using baits around children and pets.