How To Get Rid Of Moles In Yard

1. Set Traps

Setting mole traps works because moles have predictable travel patterns through their tunnels. By placing traps like scissor-jaw or harpoon-style directly in active tunnels, you intercept their path.

When moles move through these tunnels, the traps snap shut, capturing them efficiently. The method leverages the moles’ habitual use of the same tunnels, ensuring a high likelihood of capture. Proper placement and regular checking of traps increase the effectiveness, providing a targeted and immediate solution to mole problems.

2. Use Baits

Mole baits work by mimicking the mole's natural food sources and incorporating toxic substances like bromethalin. Moles are attracted to the bait, consume it, and subsequently die.

This method capitalizes on the moles' constant search for food and their attraction to familiar food types. The effectiveness of the bait lies in its palatability and strategic placement in active tunnels, ensuring moles encounter and ingest it, leading to population reduction. 

3. Castor Oil Repellent

Castor oil repellent is effective because the strong odor and taste of castor oil make the soil unappealing to moles. Moles rely heavily on their sense of smell to navigate and locate food.

When the soil is treated with castor oil, moles are repelled by the scent and move to other areas. Regular application after rain or irrigation maintains its effectiveness. This method is non-toxic and safe for pets and children.

4. Vibrating Stakes

Vibrating stakes work by emitting vibrations and sounds underground that disturb moles and drive them away. These stakes, often solar-powered, create an environment that mimics the presence of predators or environmental disturbances.

Moles find the vibrations unsettling and relocate to quieter areas. The stakes are easy to install and require minimal maintenance.

5. Flooding

Flooding mole tunnels with water forces moles to the surface, where they can be captured and relocated. Moles are not strong swimmers and cannot withstand the water filling their tunnels.

This method is straightforward and provides an immediate solution. However, it may need to be repeated to ensure all moles are flushed out. Flooding can also temporarily disrupt the soil structure, so it’s best used selectively in problem areas.

6. Predator Urine

Predator urine granules, such as fox or coyote urine, create a scent barrier that deters moles. The smell triggers a fear response in moles, making them believe predators are nearby.

The regular application maintains the barrier's effectiveness, especially after rain. This method is natural and non-toxic, providing a safe way to manage mole populations. Predator urine is available in garden centers and online. 

7. Beneficial Nematodes

Beneficial nematodes work by preying on soil-dwelling pests that moles feed on, such as grubs and insects. By reducing the mole's food source, nematodes make the environment less attractive to moles.

Applying nematodes according to product instructions promotes a healthy soil ecosystem. This method is eco-friendly, and it supports overall garden health. 

8. Mole Barriers

Mole barriers, made of hardware cloth or metal mesh, are installed underground to prevent moles from entering specific garden areas. Burying the barriers at least 12 inches deep and extending them above ground blocks mole tunnels.

This physical barrier is effective in protecting garden beds, lawns, and other vulnerable areas. Though installation requires effort, the barriers provide long-term protection without the use of chemicals. 

9. Grub Control

Grub control treatments reduce the mole's primary food source, making your yard less attractive to them. By eliminating grubs, you indirectly manage mole populations. Environmentally friendly grub control options minimize the impact on beneficial insects.

Regular treatment helps maintain low grub populations, reducing mole activity in your yard. This method supports overall garden health by controlling pests that can also damage plants. 

10. Plant Deterrents

Planting certain plants, like marigolds, daffodils, and castor beans, repels moles due to their strong scents or toxic properties. These plants create a natural barrier that moles avoid.

Marigolds and daffodils are easy to grow and add aesthetic value to your garden, while castor beans require caution as they are toxic to pets and humans. Using plant deterrents provides a chemical-free, sustainable way to protect your garden. 

11. Sound Devices

Ultrasonic sound devices emit high-frequency sounds that disrupt mole activity. These devices create an uncomfortable environment, encouraging moles to leave.

Safe for humans and pets, ultrasonic devices offer a non-invasive solution to mole problems. Place them in areas with active mole tunnels and move them periodically to cover larger areas. Regular use helps keep moles at bay. 

12. Natural Predators

Encouraging natural predators like owls, hawks, and snakes to visit your yard helps control mole populations. Providing suitable habitats, such as perches and nesting boxes, attracts these predators, who naturally hunt moles.

Promoting biodiversity in your garden creates a balanced ecosystem where natural predators help manage pests. This method is sustainable and reduces the need for human intervention. 

13. Coffee Grounds

Spreading used coffee grounds around mole hills and tunnels deters moles due to the strong smell and irritating texture. Regular application maintains effectiveness, especially after rain.

Coffee grounds also add organic matter to the soil, benefiting your garden. This method is eco-friendly and utilizes kitchen waste effectively. 

14. Diatomaceous Earth

Sprinkling food-grade diatomaceous earth (DE) in mole tunnels and around burrows creates an abrasive barrier. DE's tiny, sharp particles damage the mole's exoskeleton, leading to dehydration and death.

Apply DE in dry conditions and reapply after rain or irrigation to maintain its effectiveness. This method is non-toxic and safe for plants, and other wildlife.

15. Smoke Bombs

Proper application and sealing of tunnel entrances ensure effectiveness. This method is quick and can address severe mole infestations.

However, it should be used with caution, following manufacturer instructions to avoid harm to pets and children. Smoke bombs provide an immediate solution. 

16. Wire Mesh

Lining garden beds with wire mesh or hardware cloth prevents moles from burrowing. Burying the mesh deep and extending it above ground creates an effective barrier.

This method requires effort to install but provides long-term protection without chemicals. Wire mesh is durable and can be used to protect various garden areas.

17. Professional Pest Control

Hiring professional pest control services provides comprehensive solutions for persistent mole infestations. Experts use specialized tools and treatments for effective control.

They can assess your yard, identify the most effective methods, and implement a targeted approach. Professional services offer expertise and peace of mind, ensuring your mole problem is resolved efficiently and humanely. 

Damage That Moles Cause In Yard

Although moles do not feed on plant roots, they can cause harm to the plants by digging trenches and damaging the root systems through which plants draw water and nutrients. Following are some of the moles damage seen in yards:

Tunneling:

Moles work their ways in building a complex network of tunnels just beneath the surface of the ground. These tunnels are mainly dug in their search for food on insects and earthworms among other things.

This causes the formation of humps all over your yard thereby making it unpleasant and even more uneven than it was previously. These slopes can be an issue for mowing around and can also pose a tripping risk due to poor surface grading.

Molehills:

While digging a new burrow, moles tend to throw the extra soil on the surface forming mounds of earth referred to as molehills. This is because these mounds of soil can suffocate the grass and other vegetation, resulting in the development of areas of muddy ground.

They can also pose an inconvenience when it comes to aesthetics and grooming of your backyard, making it a less lovely area to be in and to work on.

Root Damage:

This notwithstanding, while moles do not directly feed on the roots of plants, they can cause tremendous damage to the roots through their burrowing activities. Injury to the roots can also affect plant health and growth since the structure of the soil can easily be disrupted.

Plants also become vulnerable to stress, drought, and disease as the root system is affected. Sometimes, these plants get displaced from their place due to the lack of support from the soil surrounding them.

Soil Displacement:

Mole hills on your lawn and garden may be beautiful to your eyes, but it is a sign of ill health in your garden. Since moles transport loads of soil to construct their burrows and mounds, they disrupt an optimal distribution of soil nutrients. It can also cause changes in nutrient concentrations hence affecting grass and plant growth as well.

Secondary Pests:

By having mole tunnels on your compound, other pests are likely to be drawn by the activity of moles. Moles primary enemies include shrews and other small rodents which depend on vole tunnels to get to the plant roots and bulbs and cause further havoc.

At times, animals such as snakes may be attracted to your compound in search of moles as their source of food.

How To Prevent Moles In Yard

The process of eliminating moles and ensuring that they do not resurface takes time, elaborate measures, and methods. Here is what you can do about it:

• Maintain a Low-Insect Yard: Insects should also be controlled by continuing with the use of insecticides or beneficial nematodes in a bid to reduce their numbers. Often fertilize your lawn so that any pests that are associated with moles are cleared out and do not come back.
• Barrier Methods: Use underground barriers including a piece of hardware cloth or metal mesh around the garden beds to deter the moles from digging. Excavate the ground in the area you wish to cover and place the barrier a minimum of two feet beneath the ground level and slightly protruding above ground.
• Natural Predators: Using natural enemies like owls, hawks, and snakes to live in your yard. This is because these animals can hunt and consume these moles, thus playing a role in reducing their numbers.
• Regular Monitoring: Check your yard frequently for active signs of moles and arrange to get rid of the tunnels as soon as you notice them. It is important to detect and act on it early to avoid severe losses.

Types Of Moles

There are different types of moles such as:

1. Eastern Mole (Scalopus aquaticus)

• Habitat:  Native to the eastern United States and some parts of Canada.
• Size: Approximately 4.4 to 6.25 inches long
• Appearance: These animals have pink skin without hair on the snout and a body coated with grayish-brown fur.
• Behavior: Eastern moles work the ground actively digging shallow tunnels and several-meter-long runways as well.

2. Star-Nosed Mole (Condylura cristata)

• Habitat: Likes damp ground in the lowland, especially in the marshes, swamps, and along the streams in the northeastern part of North America.
• Size: About 4.6 to 5.5 inches long.
• Appearance: A unique feature is the nose which is star-shaped and consists of 22 pink fleshy processes
• Behavior: They are also good swimmers and can also hunt and forage in water bodies.

3. European Mole (Talpa europaea)

• Habitat: Distributed throughout Europe, occurs in meadows, gardens, and agricultural land.
• Size: Typically 4.5 to 6 inches long.
• Appearance: Black or dark grey, small eyes, and a pointed snout.
• Behavior: Builds long and complex tunnels and molehills, which are rather disruptive for agricultural and gardening purposes.

4. Townsend’s Mole (Scapanus townsendii)

• Habitat: It is native to the Pacific Northwest of North America and is adapted to moist, loamy soil conditions.
• Size: The largest species of moles measures about 6 to 9 inches long.
• Appearance: A strong and muscular build with dense, dark brown to black fur.
• Behavior: Forms vast systems of simple and complex burrows, especially in humid conditions.

5. Hairy-Tailed Mole (Parascalops breweri)

• Habitat: Native to the northeastern part of the USA and the southeastern part of Canada.
• Size: Approximately 4 to 6 inches long.
• Appearance: Famous for a small, bushy tail and smooth black coat.
• Behavior: Likes sandy or loamy soil and is less widespread compared to other mole species.

Each of these mole species showcases unique behaviors and physical traits suited to their environments. Understanding these differences can help in accurately identifying and managing mole populations in your yard or garden.