How to Get Rid of Moles in Your Yard (and Keep Them Away)
Moles can be a real headache for homeowners with their tunneling habits, creating raised ridges and unsightly mounds on lawns. While they aerate the soil and help control insect populations, moles can quickly damage plants by disturbing roots. If you’re dealing with a mole problem, it’s essential to know how to get rid of them and prevent future invasions. Below, we’ll walk you through effective strategies to remove moles from your yard and discourage them from returning.
What Are Moles?
Moles are small, burrowing insectivores known for their powerful digging abilities. They primarily feed on insects, particularly white grubs, which are common lawn pests. Moles prefer moist, sandy loam soils over dry, compacted ones and are most active during the warm, wet months.
Key characteristics of moles include:
- Black or gray fur
- A prominent, hairless snout
- Small, buried eyes
- Large, clawed front paws for digging
While moles live alone (except during mating season in early spring), their complex tunnel systems can wreak havoc on your yard. These tunnels are typically 12-18 inches underground and can create noticeable surface disturbances like raised ridges and volcano-shaped soil mounds.
How to Identify Moles
If you’ve noticed raised ridges and small mounds of soil, you probably have a mole. The key signs of mole activity are:
- Raised ridges across your lawn
- Volcano-shaped soil mounds, which are entry/exit points for moles
- Sinking or soft spots in your yard (where moles have tunneled)
- Mole runs, which are long, winding paths of disturbed soil
Moles are often confused with other burrowing animals, like voles and pocket gophers. The main difference is that moles leave visible, raised ridges and symmetrical mounds, while voles leave subtle tunnel depressions and gophers produce fan-shaped or circular mounds with fewer visible tunnels.
How to Get Rid of Moles
Spring and fall, when moles are most active, are the best times to address a mole infestation. Here are some methods you can try to get rid of moles in your yard:
Humane Solutions
- Remove the food source
Since moles are primarily driven by their food (insects and grubs), one of the most humane ways to get rid of them is to eliminate their food source. Beneficial nematodes, which are microscopic worms, feed on the grubs that attract moles. By introducing these nematodes into your soil, you can reduce the mole population naturally. - Use live traps
Place live traps in active tunnels to capture moles without harming them. To identify an active tunnel, press it flat and check the next day to see if it’s been disturbed. Once caught, relocate the mole far from your yard to prevent it from returning. - Apply a mole repellent
Some commercial mole repellents contain castor oil, which irritates moles and drives them away. These repellents come in both liquid and granular forms, and while they are effective, be sure to choose a product that is safe for children and pets. Check the label for safety instructions.
Lethal Solutions
- Use mole traps
If you prefer a more direct approach, you can use mole-specific traps that kill the animal. There are both above-ground and below-ground traps available, but make sure to follow the instructions carefully for best results. The key is to place the traps in active tunnel systems, checking them regularly to ensure they’re working. - Poison or fumigants (use with caution)
Poisons and fumigants can kill moles, but they come with significant risks, especially if you have pets or young children. These options should be avoided unless absolutely necessary, as they can pose health hazards to non-target animals and people.
How to Keep Moles Away
Once you’ve managed to get rid of moles, taking steps to deter them from returning is essential. Here are some effective ways to keep moles out of your yard:
Important Methods to Keep Moles Away
- Plant mole-repelling flowers
Certain plants, like marigolds, daffodils, and alliums, have strong scents that moles dislike. Planting these flowers in garden beds can help deter moles from making a home in your yard. - Use ultrasonic repellent devices
These devices emit high-frequency sounds that moles find disturbing, encouraging them to leave the area. Many ultrasonic repellents are solar-powered and safe to use around children and pets. - Improve yard drainage
Moles prefer moist, soft soil, so improving your lawn’s drainage can discourage them from settling in. Consider aerating your lawn or adding sand to compacted soil to make it less inviting to moles. - Create physical barriers
For small garden areas, you can install underground barriers to keep moles out. Bury a 24-inch metal or hardware cloth barrier at least a foot below the surface. Moles will often abandon their tunneling efforts if they hit such barriers. - Spread mole deterrents
Granular deterrents, often made from castor oil, can be spread around your yard to make the environment less hospitable for moles. Choose a product that’s safe for pets and children, and reapply it as needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will moles eventually leave on their own?
Moles will typically stay in your yard as long as they have a steady food supply. If you want them to leave, you’ll need to take active measures to remove their food source or use repellents.
What’s the best way to repair mole damage to your yard?
If you still have moles active in your yard, flatten the mole runs by using a lawn roller or stomping them with your feet. After the moles are gone, fill the holes with topsoil and reseed or lay sod to restore your lawn’s appearance.
Do home remedies like vinegar work to get rid of moles?
Some homeowners have tried using a mixture of vinegar and water (one part vinegar to three parts water) to deter moles. However, be cautious, as vinegar can kill nearby plants and might not always be effective.
Is it OK to leave moles in your yard?
Moles can be beneficial for the health of your lawn by aerating the soil and controlling insect populations. If their tunneling doesn’t cause too much damage and you can tolerate their presence, you might choose to leave them be.