can moles damage septic system?

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We recently noticed that the ground where our at-grade septic system is - the leach field I think it's called - is riddled with mole holes. The septic system was just put in last year, I think the moles were attracted to the newly-dug dirt.

Other than ruining the lawn and making it difficult to mow, can the moles damage the septic system?

-- Jane in southwest WI (ladyjane@mwt.net), April 17, 2002

Answers

I have been on septic for several years and we have gillions of moles! They are near the surface and your lateral lines are much deeper. Or..they should be. Don't worry.

-- corky wolf (corkywolf@hotmail.com), April 17, 2002.

Seems to me that the mole action of making tunnels and loosening soil would actually help a septic system rather than hinder it.

Don't think that they will chew on PVC which I suppose your system is.

-- Notforprint (Not@thekeyboard.com), April 17, 2002.


If you want to get rid of the moles just plant a tall glass pop bottle with the neck of it about 3 inches sticking out of the dirt. It makes echo noises and they can't take it and move on. Make sure to paint a rock white and sit it beside the neck of the soda bottle so you don't hit it with the lawn mower!! We had moles real bad when I was a kid and they were eatting up the garden. A friend of my moms told her to do this and by gosh it worked for us. Good Luck. I would not think they could hurt the septic but call the local septic guys in your area and ask.

-- Teresa (c3ranch@socket.net), April 18, 2002.

I like the soda bottle idea... cheap and frugal! Any idea on the density of bottles used? Did she place them in/near the tunnels or just randomly throughout the garden?

Thanks!

-- otter360 (kitchen@eng.fsu.edu), April 18, 2002.


If something is eating your garden it's not moles. Moles are insect eaters. Maybe gophers? Hence, I don't think moles would bite into pipe. I'd like to try the bottle method for my gophers ! They are ruining our lawns and eating all the flowers. Good luck to us all !

-- cindy palmer (jandcpalmer@sierratel.com), April 18, 2002.


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