Keeping your lawn beautiful is futile with moles around as these tiny creatures will wreak havoc by digging and creating numerous holes. Fortunately, you can adopt some strategies like using marshmallows to kill moles.
Here’s how to use marshmallows to kill moles:
Start with removing all visible possible sources of food that moles can eat. Put 2 to 3 marshmallows inside the holes and at the end of tunnels you see and wait. Repeat the process until moles activities have reduced in your yard.
When moles eat marshmallows, the carrageenan, the extra ingredients in commercial-grade marshmallows, slow down their digestive system since they cannot digest it, leading to death.
The trick is to put a couple of marshmallows inside the mole holes after removing all the food sources and wait for the results.
Related: How to Get Rid Of Voles
Killing moles with marshmallows was introduced in the 1980s when scientists discovered that the delicious treat could kill these pests.
Well, keep reading to see how to rid your lawn of those pesky moles.
Also read: How to get rid of armadillos in your Yard
Can Marshmallows Kill Moles?
Yes, marshmallows kill moles by slowing down their digestive system since they cannot digest carrageenan in the marshmallow.
Unlike other costly methods like traps, this method is straightforward and cost-effective since you only need to buy or make some marshmallows.
Moreover, this sure fire way to get rid of moles has no adverse effects on humans, unlike using poisons.
However, remember that the effectiveness of marshmallows in killing moles will depend on their tolerance to these treats.
In addition, keep in mind that killing moles is exceptionally challenging because they stay underground most of the time hence tricky to get your hands on them.
However, rest assured that marshmallows, at the very least, will lower the number of moles in your yard.
Also Read: How to get rid of chipmunks in your yard
How Do You Get Rid of Moles with Marshmallows?
To kill moles with marshmallows, start by removing all visible potential sources of food that moles can eat. Then put two to three marshmallows inside the holes and at the end of tunnels you see and wait.
Repeat the process until moles activities have reduced in your yard.
When moles eat marshmallows – carrageenan – the extra ingredients in commercial-grade marshmallows, slow down their digestive system since they cannot digest it, leading to death.
Let’s briefly look into these rodents. Moles are tiny mammals with massive front legs to dig into the soil.
Also Read: Best Mole Traps
These pests can destroy anything agriculture-related, from lawns and gardens to crops, so controlling them is of utmost importance.
Burrowing mammals have very poor eyesight, making it hard for them to realize the damage they cause to your yard once they begin digging while looking for food.
Also Read: How to get rid of moles in the yard
The extent of the damage left by moles in your lawn depends on how deep and vast the tunnels they create are, with deeper tunnels causing a more significant mess. Besides damaging your lawn, moles can also bite you if they feel threatened.
A mole’s bite is not only painful but can also infect you with rabies, a disease that can be deadly.
Also read: How to get rid of moles in yard with boric acid
Getting rid of these elusive mammals requires a lot of patience because they spend the best part of their lives underground.
Nonetheless, here is how to kill moles with marshmallows:
1. Clean Your Lawn
Before exterminating moles with marshmallows, you will need to clean your yard, removing dirt and the damages already done by the moles.
This exercise helps restore order in your lawn and makes it easy to locate the holes dug by moles.
2. Remove The Potential Food Sources For Moles
Inspect your lawn, looking for and eliminating snails, bugs, invertebrates and other things the moles could eat. Taking away their sources of food will help increase the efficiency of marshmallows in killing moles.
3. Find and count the mole’s holes
Ensure there are no possible hazards around these openings.
4. Put The Marshmallows In The Holes
Place 3 to 5 marshmallows in every tunnel or open hole. Putting one marshmallow into every hole won’t be sufficient to eliminate the moles inhabiting it.
It would be best to put some marshmallows in the moles’ escape or exit holes to increase chances of killing them. Wait for the results once you finish placing the marshmallows in the right places.
You may need to repeat the process as needed until the population of moles in your lawn is reduced or fully eliminated.
Why Do Marshmallows Kill Moles?
Marshmallows kill moles because they contain carrageenan, a substance moles cannot digest. It slows down their digestive system and eventually kills them, eliminating this problem in your lawn.
Marshmallows as a mole killer act as a cork stopper, helping you restore your lawn by reducing or eliminating moles in your yard.
While this isn’t an official method for killing moles, homeowners who have tried it testify to its efficiency in minimizing the number of moles in lawns.
Read more: How to get rid of ground moles with vinegar
Typically, marshmallows are sweet treats humans enjoy, but they are effective homemade mole poison helping kill these annoying pests or drive them out of your lawn. The diet of a mole doesn’t include marshmallows.
These tiny rodents’ diets comprise different insects and worms they find underground. They spend time digging tunnels looking for food which is mostly grubs and insects.
Read more: Small Holes In Lawn Overnight
Although moles don’t actively seek out the tuber and plants in your lawn, their presence alone damages your grass.
The holes created by moles can harm the grass on your lawn or other plants. Moreover, these holes are unsightly hence compromising your lawn aesthetics.
Seeing a molehill at your lawn’s center is an indicator of impending trouble you should promptly address before it gets out of hand and cause significant damage.
Main Ingredients Of Marshmallows
Marshmallows are typically made of corn syrup, sugar, gelatin, and the crucial ingredient, whipped air, that gives this treat its texture.
They can also have additives such as foaming aids and artificial flavors for marketing purposes.
The commonly used additives are carrageenan, tetrasodium pyrophosphate, and gum Arabic which help thicken, stabilize, and emulsify the marshmallows. You can either buy commercial-grade marshmallows or make yours at home.
The making process entails combining water, corn syrup, and sugar and boiling the mixture.
While corn syrup sweetens the marshmallow, it also provides texture when heated to a particular temperature.
After the mixture boils, add gelatin to set up the marshmallows and preserve the chewy texture, then whip the concoction. Once you do that, add colorings and flavorings if you choose to do so.
Read more: How to get rid of ground moles with dawn soap
Conclusion
Killing moles with marshmallows is among the least controversial and most straightforward methods of eliminating moles from your lawn.
To kill moles with marshmallows:
- Start by removing all possible sources of food that moles can eat.
- Put marshmallows inside the holes and at the end of tunnels you see and wait.
- Repeat the process until moles activities have reduced in your yard.
While effective, this method requires patience and following the necessary steps, as outlined above but it’s worth trying and safe for humans.
Hey there, I’m Derek Schew, a writer for Lawnholic.com, where we cover everything and anything related to lawns. As someone who’s spent countless hours tending to my own lawn, I’m passionate about sharing my knowledge and helping others achieve the perfect yard. From lawn care tips to product reviews, I’m committed to providing our readers with the most accurate and up-to-date information available. So whether you’re a seasoned lawn enthusiast or just getting started, I invite you to join our community and discover the joys of a lush, green lawn.