Raised ridges and volcano-shaped soil mounds across a lawn are clear signs of mole activity. These burrowing mammals quickly cause extensive damage to turf and garden beds as they create complex tunnel systems. Homeowners can manage and prevent infestations using safe, natural methods focused on deterring the animals and modifying the yard environment. These strategies detail how to remove moles without harm and establish long-term prevention.
Pinpointing the Source of the Problem
Understanding the mole’s diet is the first step in successful control. Moles are insectivores; they do not eat plant roots. They are primarily attracted to a yard by an abundance of earthworms and insect larvae, commonly known as grubs. A single mole consumes 60 to 100 percent of its body weight in these invertebrates daily, making a food-rich yard a prime habitat.
It is helpful to distinguish between mole and vole damage. Moles create characteristic volcano-shaped mounds and raised surface ridges as they push soil upward while tunneling for food. Voles, which are herbivores, create small, open surface runways and often chew on plant roots. Mole tunnels can be shallow foraging runways or deeper, permanent travel tunnels.
Using Natural Scents and Sounds to Deter Moles
The mole’s sensitive sense of smell can be exploited using natural repellents to encourage them to leave. Castor oil is a non-toxic substance that makes the mole’s food source unappealing when applied to the soil. This repellent does not harm the moles but causes digestive distress or makes their prey taste unpleasant, prompting them to move elsewhere.
Castor Oil Application
A liquid concentrate can be created by mixing one-half cup of castor oil with one-half cup of liquid dish soap, then diluting two tablespoons of this concentrate into one gallon of water for spraying. Granular products containing castor oil can also be spread using a broadcast spreader. In both cases, the product must be lightly watered into the soil to penetrate the tunnels. The application should begin in an area with low activity and progress toward the yard’s boundary to gently “herd” the moles off the property.
Vegetative and Vibrational Deterrents
Gardeners also strategically plant strong-smelling species to create a vegetative barrier. Daffodils contain the toxic alkaloid lycorine in their bulbs, which moles avoid. Marigolds release compounds from their roots that may reduce the population of small, mole-attracting worms.
Vibrational deterrents, such as sonic or wind-driven devices, generate subtle vibrations in the soil. These devices disrupt the mole’s sensitive perception of its surroundings, making the environment unpleasant to live in.
Modifying the Yard Environment and Installing Barriers
Reducing the mole’s primary food source is the most sustainable approach to long-term prevention. Moles are dependent on grubs (larvae of various beetles) and earthworms. Modifying lawn care habits naturally reduces the presence of these food sources.
Moles prefer moist, loose soil because it is easier to tunnel and encourages a higher density of earthworms. Adjusting irrigation to avoid overwatering helps dry out the topsoil, making the habitat less appealing to both worms and moles.
Biological Controls
The strategic application of biological controls can further reduce grub populations without using chemicals. Beneficial nematodes, which are microscopic roundworms, actively seek out and infect grubs in the soil, offering a quick natural solution. Milky spore is a bacterium that specifically targets and kills Japanese beetle grubs, providing long-lasting control over several years after application.
Physical Barriers
For protecting high-value garden areas, installing a physical barrier provides permanent exclusion. This requires digging a trench at least 24 inches deep around the perimeter. Galvanized hardware cloth or wire mesh should be placed vertically in the trench. The bottom two to three inches must be bent outward at a 90-degree angle. This L-shaped flange prevents moles from tunneling underneath the barrier, creating a secure underground fence.