Mole Poblano: How a Lawn War Turned Into Petty Revenge (and a Recipe for Internet Comedy)
It started out as a classic suburban skirmish: two neighbors, one lawn, and a population of dirt-dwelling saboteurs. When Reddit user u/Kooky-Glass4409 decided to declare war on the moles tunneling through their yard, they had no idea the true battle wouldn’t be underground, but over the fence. With poison worms, sonic stakes, and a not-so-cooperative neighbor, this mole problem quickly escalated into a saga worthy of r/PettyRevenge—and, judging by the comment section, a mole poblano recipe or two.
But as any seasoned Redditor will tell you, no good mole story is complete without a spicy side of community commentary. As the moles migrated, so did the conversation—veering wildly between lawn care advice, culinary disappointment, and Monty Python references. So, what happens when your quest for a pristine yard turns your neighbor’s into a lunar landscape? Grab a shovel (or a poblano pepper) and dig in.
The Mole Problem: When Lawn Care Becomes Warfare
It all began with a simple pest problem. As u/Kooky-Glass4409 recounted, their yard—like their neighbor’s—was under siege by moles. The first strike came in the form of poison worms, an effective but temporary fix. Year after year, the moles would return, always infiltrating from the neighbor’s side. Attempts at diplomacy failed; the neighbor shrugged off the issue, claiming, “what’s a few moles between friends?” Things turned sour, and the gloves (and gardening gloves) came off.
Enter the sonic stakes—a new, “humane” solution that drives moles away with an unbearable subterranean buzz. The strategy: start in the center, then migrate the moles outward…toward wherever “out” happened to be. In this case, straight into the neighbor’s yard.
And just like that, the neighbor’s grass became a cratered wasteland. When confronted by her, our hero played innocent. “WHERE DO YOU THINK THOSE MOLES WENT???” she demanded. The deadpan reply: “I’m not up on the migratory habits of moles.”
Reddit Reacts: Puns, Petty Triumph, and a Hunger for Mole (the Sauce)
If there’s one thing r/PettyRevenge loves more than a neighborly showdown, it’s a punny title—and “Mole Poblano” did not disappoint (well, it sort of did). The top comment, u/pnw-techie, summed up the community’s confusion and culinary cravings: “I read this whole thing and not one poblano. Disappoint.”
Dozens chimed in, riffing on the expectation of a delicious Mexican sauce rather than a tale of tunnel warfare. “I wanted to hear about petty revenge using a nice Mexican dish!” lamented u/bostondana2. Others concocted their own recipes for revenge, with u/Beemerba suggesting, “Well, you have to start out with a full mole of moles…”—a nod to both chemistry and the truly absurd.
But the pun parade wasn’t the only thing burrowing through the comments. Expert advice mixed with gallows humor, as some lamented the fate of the moles (u/strxluvr: “Poor moles :(“), while others questioned the ethics of moleicide (u/EndOfTheMoth: “Poisoning animals because they mess up your lawn? What the [expletive] is wrong with people?”).
The Science of Moles (and How to Really Get Rid of Them)
Beyond the banter, some commenters dropped genuine knowledge. Multiple users, like u/Least-Goal-4857 and u/404UserNktFound, pointed out that moles aren’t out to destroy your grass out of spite—they’re just after the grubs beneath. “If moles are repeatedly invading your yard, it’s possible that you have grubs in your soil,” one explained. The real solution? Get rid of the grubs, and the moles will move on.
Others offered alternative deterrents, from castor oil (u/Wrong_Buyer_1079) to Juicy Fruit gum (u/virtual_gnus), while u/Humblefreindly warned, “Forget deterrents like mothballs or vibrating stakes. They chomp down the mothballs, and I don’t really want to know what they do with the vibrators.” Lawn care is, evidently, not for the faint of heart—or the humorless.
And just in case anyone was still hoping for a taste of actual mole poblano, the community delivered. User u/Flashy_Shopping_7371 posted a full recipe, complete with dried chiles and chocolate, while others debated the finer points of mole-to-mole conversions and the ethics of sauce vs. subterranean mammal.
Final Score: Petty Revenge, Internet Laughter, and a Side of Sauce
In the end, did the OP achieve victory? Sort of. The moles were gone from their yard, but the neighbor’s was left looking like “the surface of the moon.” Some saw poetic justice. Others, like u/mayhembang, pointed out, “what’s a few moles between friends, you shared yours with her :-)”
But perhaps the most enduring lesson comes from the comment section: neighbors may come and go, but Reddit will always find room for puns, recipes, and unsolicited advice. As one commenter put it, “Mole Problemo.”
So next time you find yourself in a turf war—literal or otherwise—remember: sometimes the best revenge is petty, the best commentary is punny, and the best mole poblano doesn’t involve a single garden pest.
Conclusion: What’s a Few Moles Between Friends?
Whether you’re plotting your own petty revenge or just here for the laughs, let this mole melodrama serve as a reminder: neighborly cooperation is far easier (and less destructive) than sonic stakes and poison worms. But if all else fails, bring a dish to the next confrontation—preferably one that doesn’t involve actual moles. And if you have your own story of yard-based shenanigans, drop it in the comments. After all, what’s a few moles (or puns) between friends?
Have a mole problem? Prefer your revenge spicy? Sound off below—and don’t forget to share your favorite mole poblano recipe!
Original Reddit Post: Mole Poblano