Moles and Chipmunks: Morals and The High Ground

[neo von retorch]

So in my front yard, I've got a mulch + rocks wall where the chipmunks love to hang out. But they also dig small holes in the front yard. In a few places, the ground is soft from tunnels - not sure if that's also chipmunks. In the backyard, there's a much bigger area getting destroyed by tunnels which I'm fairly certain IS moles.

Questions
1. Should I try to deal with these creatures of Earth?
2. How should I do it? I read you can use vinegar or mint oil to scare off chipmunks. Probably get them to move to your neighbors' yards? :-) No idea what you do about moles.

[GilesMM]

You can't see mole tunnels. They make mounds like little volcanoes (as opposed to horseshoe-shaped hills made by gophers).  Best way to deal with moles is to trap them with pincher traps. 

[neo von retorch]

Well I have tunnel mounds and volcano mounds in the same area. Gophers and moles dancing in the streets together?

[LifeHappens]

Any chance your new puppy would be interested in marking up all the territory in the yard?

[lthenderson]

I had a chipmunk/ground squirrel problem for many years. I tried poisons and traps of all kinds. All were ineffective at best and not enough to keep up with the breeding levels of these critters. I finally bout a pellet gun pistol and started creating blinds and bait stations of seeds. I dispatched about a dozen over the next year or so and have been without any for 3 or 4 years now.

For moles, I buy stuff to eliminate grubs in the yard and they go away.

[sonofsven]

https://youtu.be/Y0EO0HDrc_o?si=x-SUB87l07-zD5gf
Gas+spark=Rodenator

[thedigitalone]

https://youtu.be/Y0EO0HDrc_o?si=x-SUB87l07-zD5gf
Gas+spark=Rodenator

As long as your yard isn't a fire risk your can do this with a $25 propane weed burner as well.  Dig out the mound, turn on the torch but don't light it, fill the tunnels for 20-30 seconds, stand back light the torch and touch it to the tunnel.  **WHOMP**

I haven't seen a mole in our yard in years.