Maintaining a beautiful lawn can be challenging with moles around, as these tiny creatures can cause significant damage by digging and leaving holes. Luckily, strategies like using marshmallows to eliminate moles can help address the problem.
CAN MARSHMALLOWS KILL MOLES?
Yes, marshmallows can kill moles by disrupting their digestive system. Moles cannot digest carrageenan, an ingredient commonly found in marshmallows, which slows their digestion and ultimately proves fatal.
Unlike expensive methods such as traps, using marshmallows is simple and cost-effective—you only need to buy or make them. This approach also poses no risks to humans, unlike chemical poisons.
However, the effectiveness of marshmallows can vary depending on the moles’ tolerance. Keep in mind that eliminating moles is challenging since they spend most of their lives underground, making them difficult to locate. Nonetheless, using marshmallows can significantly reduce their numbers in your yard.
MAIN INGREDIENTS IN MARSHMALLOWS
Marshmallows are made with corn syrup, sugar, gelatin, and air to create their light, fluffy texture. They often contain additives like carrageenan, which thickens and stabilizes the mixture. You can either buy commercial marshmallows or make them at home by boiling corn syrup, sugar, and water, adding gelatin, and whipping the mixture to the desired texture.
HOW TO USE MARSHMALLOWS TO GET RID OF MOLES
If you want to try this method, follow these steps:
- Clean Your Lawn: Begin by tidying up your yard and repairing any damage caused by moles. This will make it easier to locate their holes and tunnels.
- Remove Potential Food Sources: Inspect your lawn for insects, worms, and other invertebrates that moles feed on. By removing these food sources, you increase the effectiveness of marshmallows as a mole deterrent.
- Locate and Count Mole Holes: Find all visible mole holes and ensure there are no hazards around these areas.
- Place Marshmallows in the Holes: Drop 3–5 marshmallows into each mole tunnel or hole. Don’t forget to place marshmallows at the exit points to increase the chances of success.
- Monitor and Repeat: Check for reduced mole activity and repeat the process as needed until the population diminishes or is eliminated entirely.
WHY MARSHMALLOWS WORK
Marshmallows are effective against moles because of carrageenan, a thickening agent they cannot digest. Once consumed, it slows their digestion and eventually kills them.
Although not an official pest control method, many homeowners have reported success in using marshmallows to reduce mole activity. This makes it a practical and safe alternative for managing mole infestations.
UNDERSTANDING MOLES
Moles are small mammals known for their powerful digging abilities. While they primarily eat insects and worms, their tunneling can cause significant damage to lawns, gardens, and crops.
A mole’s burrowing not only creates unsightly holes but also harms grass and other plants. In rare cases, moles may bite when threatened, posing a risk of rabies infection.
CONCLUSION
Using marshmallows to kill moles is a straightforward and non-controversial method. This method requires patience and consistency but is safe for humans and worth a try for managing mole problems.
