How to Get Rid of Moles on Your Lawn

After planting a beautiful new lawn, you may notice raised mounds disrupting the aesthetic of your yard. Moles can actually be beneficial by aerating the soil and feeding on harmful insect larvae, but their mounds can damage the surrounding grass. Fortunately, you don't need advanced skills to solve this problem. There are several steps you can take before your entire lawn is destroyed by these moles.

Identify Active Tunnels. To tackle the problem, it's essential to locate the active tunnels the moles are using. Close up the mounds created by the moles nearby, then wait for a day or two. If any mounds reopen, it's highly likely that moles are still active in that area.

Use specialized traps to catch moles. This method is often the most effective when you want to get rid of moles. You can purchase traps online or from a nearby home goods store. These traps are typically spring-loaded ones that you will need to assemble and set at the mole’s active tunnel. Consider common types of mole traps such as:

• Bait traps. These are quick and easy to set, and you simply place them securely in the middle of the tunnel. No digging is required, just push it in with your foot.
• Circular live traps for rodents. These are cheaper and can trap both moles and other rodents like rats. With these, you will need to carefully dig up the mound, set the trap, and seal any gaps that could let in light or dirt.
• Spring traps. These traps require more effort but are considered highly effective once you're familiar with how to use them. You'll need to cut two grooves into the active tunnel and place the trap to catch the troublesome moles.

Use smoke to eliminate moles. Unless you have expertise, avoid using any gases other than dry ice. Be sure to steer clear of substances that could become toxic when exposed to water, as these can be extremely dangerous, even potentially lethal.

• If you decide to use gas, take extreme caution. If you can directly smoke the mole’s burrow or repeat the process several times, the outcome can be quite effective. Products like "Revenge Rodent Smoke Bombs" or "Whole Control" are available for use.
• If you have children or pets in the house, take necessary precautions to ensure they aren’t exposed to the gas.

Use bait to lure moles. While many traps don’t require bait, you will likely increase your chances of success if you can attract the moles to the trap. Some baits are toxic to moles, while others, like earthworms, are easier to acquire. You can dig for them yourself in your yard or order them online.

Use rat traps. Since moles and house rats are similar in size, you can use rat traps to catch moles as well. Place bait in the trap, then position it at the mole’s tunnel entrance. After a few hours, check the trap to see if you’ve caught anything.

• If no moles are caught, it may be because the trap wasn’t hidden properly or the moles have moved to a new tunnel.

Call a professional pest control service. Sometimes it’s best to let experts handle the mole problem. They can clear your lawn without you having to worry about the safest methods. There are usually several pest control services available in your area.

Plant hedges using specific plants. Certain plants can help drive moles away from your lawn. You could plant species like daffodils, marigolds, garlic, and ginger lily. Castor beans can also work, though they are toxic.

Make your own mole repellent mixture. You can create a homemade repellent by mixing dish soap with castor oil, which is readily available at health stores. Mix 180 ml of castor oil and 2 tablespoons of dish soap with 4 liters of water. Regularly water your lawn with this mixture, and remember to reapply after rainfall.

Attract natural mole predators. This can be an effective solution without much effort. Owls are natural predators of moles. You can lure them to your yard by purchasing or building nesting boxes for them. These boxes look like large birdhouses mounted on trees. After assembling the nest, place it on a tree and line it with straw. Sooner or later, the owls will be drawn to the nest.

Trap moles with a shovel. This method will require patience. Start by tracking the mole's path by walking over it. This helps you identify when the mole is using the tunnel. Stand nearby and wait for the mole to start moving. Once spotted, trap the mole between two shovels. Quickly cover the mole with a trash can, scoop it up, and relocate it far from your lawn.

• Keep in mind that this method might be the least effective, so it's best to try other methods first.

Identify signs of moles. Sometimes, moles can be mistaken for marsupials. The main difference between marsupials and moles is that marsupials don't damage the grass.

Maintain your lawn properly. Trimming the grass can make it easier for you to spot mole activity. Additionally, avoid allowing the lawn to become waterlogged. This can be tricky if your lawn tends to retain water, but moles prefer damp soil, so be mindful not to overwater.

Add certain items to your lawn. Try placing dry ice into mole tunnels. The carbon dioxide emitted from the dry ice will suffocate the moles. Install windmills along their pathways and tunnel entrances. The vibrations caused by the windmills will disturb the ground, causing moles to seek a safer environment.

Fill unused mole tunnels with rocks. Moles dislike digging through rocks, making this a useful preventive method. While some moles may reuse abandoned tunnels, they are less likely to do so if you block them with rocks.