Killing moles with marshmallows is a method that has been around for quite some time. However, the effectiveness is something that many homeowners can’t agree on.
This guide will go over how viable this strategy is, and the best way to try it yourself.
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Is Killing Moles With Marshmallows Possible?
Looking at a mole, it’s pretty hard to believe that it could possibly do any harm. A mole rarely grows larger than ten inches long, is slow-moving and has very poor eyesight. So why do homeowners across the country shudder in fear at the thought of having this seemingly harmless animal in their yard?
The issue with moles is that they have the capacity to totally decimate a lawn or a garden. Moles are burrowing mammals that dig holes in the ground in search of the worms, grubs and other insects that they crave. This digging disturbs important root systems and may eventually lead to dead plants and a dying lawn. You’ll know that you have moles if you see their distinctive mounds scattered across your yard.
There are many ways that you can get rid of the moles in your yard, and do-it-yourself remedies abound on the internet. One of the methods you will probably come across in an internet search is killing moles with marshmallows. As weird as it sounds, many people swear by this method.
But does using marshmallows to get rid of moles really work?
As is often the case with home remedies, there are some who think it works perfectly and others who aren’t so sure. While it’s true that after using the marshmallows you may notice a reduction in molehills and other signs of moles, it will be hard to tell if the moles are dead or have just moved elsewhere. Unless you see dead moles all over your yard, it can be hard to determine how much the marshmallows are working.
Killing moles with marshmallows is possible, especially if you want to avoid using poisons or other methods. However, we don’t suggest counting on it to completely solve your mole problem. If you have a serious problem then you’re going to have more success with harsher methods.
How To Use Marshmallows To Kill Moles
There are lots of mole removal solutions that range from harsh poisons to using completely all-natural materials. Many homeowners, as annoyed with the moles that they may be, are reluctant to use poisons. For this reason, we see lots of people go with natural alternatives such as marshmallows.
Let’s take a look at how to use marshmallows to kill moles or to convince them to leave your yard.
1. Clean Up Your Yard And Locate Entry And Exit Points
The first thing that you’re going to want to do is to clean up your yard. While you might be tempted to skip this step, it’s actually quite important.
What kind of yard work are we talking about? Basically you’re going to need to clean up all the areas on your lawn or in your garden where you see molehills. This important step not only puts your yard back into some kind of order, but you will also be able to see the holes where the moles have been burrowing. This will help you kill them with marshmallows later.
2. Remove Sources Of Food
If you want to start killing moles with marshmallows, the next step you’ll need to take is to get rid of the tasty items that moles love to eat. We know that this part is going to be next to impossible to do completely, but it’s important to try to remove all the food items that are attracting the moles to your yard.
We’re talking about food sources like snails, spiders, grubs, earthworms and other small insects. It’s important to limit how many other sources of food moles have if you want the marshmallow method to work.
3. Water Your Lawn Less Often
We understand that a healthy, green lawn is a goal of many homeowners, so the thought of watering it less often may not be appealing. However, by watering your lawn about once a week, your lawn won’t be the damp, worm-producing haven that it usually is.
Less worms can mean less moles.
4. Bring Out The Marshmallows
After you’ve cleaned up your yard and identified as many of the mole holes as possible, it will be time to grab your bag of marshmallows. You’ll need to use the nice, puffy marshmallows that you’d use for s’mores or for campfire roasts. Mini marshmallows are not large enough for killing moles.
Go to each molehill opening and push two to three marshmallows into each hole. Make sure that each hole is totally blocked with marshmallows because you don’t want the moles to be able to escape. The theory is that once the entry and escape holes are plugged up with marshmallows, then the mole will either suffocate or starve. As harsh as this sounds, it is often thought to be a better alternative than poisons or other methods.
The other theory behind killing moles with marshmallows is that if a mole decides to take a nibble of the marshmallow, then ingredients such as carrageenan or tetrasodium pyrophosphate will make short work of them.
Either way, using marshmallows to kill moles is a popular and inexpensive way to attempt to control the mole population in your yard. Even if it doesn’t work as well as some industrial-strength option, it’s a cheap and easy alternative.
Marshmallow Ingredients
You’ve probably been eating marshmallows since you were a kid, but do you know what’s in these ooey gooey treats? The basic ingredients in marshmallows include sugar, gelatin, egg whites and corn syrup. However, most marshmallow companies add chemicals like gum arabic, carrageenan and tetrasodium pyrophosphate. These chemicals help to prolong shelf life, to act as a thickener or to act as an emulsifier.
But these chemicals are also not good for moles to consume.
For the purposes of killing moles, it’s fine to use marshmallows that you make yourself, or you can use the ones from the store.
The Downsides Of Killing Moles With Marshmallows
Many people swear that killing moles with marshmallows is the perfect method. It’s super inexpensive, and there is the added advantage of it being safe to use around kids and pets. However, there are several downsides to using marshmallows to deal with these pests, so let’s take a look at some of them. Seeing the whole picture will help you to decide whether this method is right for you and your situation.
A major downside to getting rid of moles this way is that you are going to need tons of patience. You’re not going to have instant, visual results like you do after using poison or traps. In fact, you may never see any dead moles at all because you plugged up the holes to their tunnels. The way you are going to know if the marshmallows are working is if you begin to notice fewer molehills over time.
Another negative side to using marshmallows is that it’s hard to measure the results. Since this method is in a kind of gray area of do-it-yourself projects, the actual results are up in the air. It’s true that you may see less evidence of mole activity in your yard, but are you actually killing them or driving them out? Don’t forget that if they temporarily go somewhere else, they can just as easily find their way back.
If you choose to try the marshmallow method, you are going to have to perform daily maintenance. What does this mean? It means that you will need to check all of the holes that you plugged with marshmallows, replace ones that are missing or damaged, and you’ll need to look for new molehills or tunnel holes. You will need to do this every day for the marshmallow treatment to have any chance of working.
Lastly, killing moles with marshmallows should not be your only treatment option if you’re serious about getting rid of these pests. If you are hoping to plug up a few holes and call it a day, then you are going to be disappointed. It may work with one or two moles, but you probably won’t be dealing with just a couple of them. Most all-natural remedies should ideally be done in conjunction with other methods.
Other methods include using a mole-specific trap, placing poison in or around the mole hole or using an ultrasonic mole repellent. Our suggestion is to have an exterminator take a look at your situation. A pest control company will have access to all of the latest methods and technology to help you achieve a mole-free yard.
Expert Tip: It’s also worth noting that if you feel that you are only dealing with a small problem, you could just leave them alone. Moles aerate the soil and eat lots of lawn-killing insects. It’s only when there are lots of them that your lawn and garden will suffer.
Conclusion
Killing moles with marshmallows is possible, but you need to manage your expectations. Assuming you have a manageable problem and do it properly, it’s not unreasonable to expect to kill some moles.
However, you’ll probably need to take things up a notch for any serious mole issues on your property. But regardless, using marshmallows is a cheap and easy method to try!
