How to Get Rid of Moles

These tiny diggers are capable of causing a lot of damage. These tips will help you stop moles from entering your yard and keep them out. If you notice 3-5-inch raised ridges on your lawn, along with small volcanic eruptions, then you may have moles. They can quickly cause damage because they destroy any plants that are in their way. The tell-tale ridges in their tunnels quickly become brown as they dig into the earth. Moles can aerate the soil, and they eat harmful insects. Learn how to keep moles away from your yard and get rid of them before they cause extensive damage.

What are moles?

Insectivores burrowing moles. Moles are solitary animals except for the breeding season, which occurs in early spring. Therefore, if you see a multi-tunnel pattern in your yard, it is probably only one mole.

Moles may use different tunnels for feeding at any time. The mole may have built entry and exit mounds that are usually round and symmetrical. The mole usually leaves soil behind, but the hole is still visible. Mounds connect the runways. The runways are typically 12-18 inches below ground and cannot be seen.

The moles prefer moist, sandy loam soils to dry, heavy clay soils. Moles prefer moist soils with sandy loams to dry soils that are heavy in clay. The moles are more active in the warm and wet months. They live underground all year round.

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How to Identify Moles

The moles are black or gray with a prominent, hairless nose. They have small eyes that are buried so deeply in their fur that they are nearly invisible. Their large, hairless front claws were designed to dig. They do not have visible ears.

What is the difference between Pocket Gophers, Pocket Moles and Voles?

Some homeowners mistakenly believe that voles and pocket gophers make mole tunnels. These small rodents also dig tunnels underground. Voles do not leave any evidence of their tunnels on the landscape. The soil feels softer when you walk over it because of their tunnels.

Pocket gophers do not create raised ridges. They eat roots from grasses and other plants. This causes soil to be pushed to one side. The tunnels of these moles are more flattened and have fan-shaped or circular mounds. The mounds may have a hole visible, but earth clumps will camouflage it.

You might be able to identify one of these creatures by its size if you see it. A mole can be 4-7 inches in length, which is shorter than a pocket gopher but longer than a vole.

How to Get Moles Rid?

Because moles are active in spring and fall, the ground will not be frozen. Since moles do not live in large groups, there are likely only one or a few moles you need to catch.

Humane Solutions

Remove all food sources. The best way to rid moles of them is to use beneficial parasites that eat grubs. If they can’t get their favorite food, moles move on. Use this organic pesticide safely around children and animals.

Use a trap. The trap will need to be placed in an active mole tunnel. For an active tunnel, you can flatten the surface by stepping on it. Check it the following morning to see whether it has not changed shape. Install the trap. Install the live trap by following the product instructions. Check the trap regularly; otherwise, the animal may die. Take the animal away from your home and release it.

Use a repellant. A liquid repellent is usually made with castor oil. Castor oils disrupt the moles’ natural eating patterns so that they will leave the area. Castor oil granular repellents work the same.

Not all repellants have been tested on children and animals. Check if the repellent or deterrent you are considering is safe for use around your pets and family before purchasing.

Lethal Solutions

The mole lives underground. While fumigants and toxic chemicals are available, they should not be used if there is a possibility that children or pets may be exposed.

It is impossible to get rid of a mole without a mole trap. These traps kill the mole. Traps can be found in both below- and over-ground designs. You should follow the directions provided on the package to ensure the proper placement. Also, move the tunnel traps as often as possible while there is still activity. This will increase your odds of eliminating the mole.

How to Keep Moles At Bay

You can use these methods after the moles are gone to keep them from coming back.

Plants that moles hate: Moles detest the scents of Marigolds. Daffodils. and Alliums. So, planting these flowers in your garden bed will discourage moles while adding color to your yard.

Make it techy: Install mole-repellent ultrasonic devices. These devices emit an ultrasonic wave that scares away moles without chemicals. The devices are easy to maintain (some solar-powered), and they are safe around pets and humans.

Spread a deterrent. Make a yard uninviting for pets and children by sprinkling around a pet-safe, granular repellent.

Improve yard water drainage: Since moles like to live where the soil is moist, a better drainage system on your property can discourage them.

Use barrier: if you have a lot of moles in the area and are not bothered by the tunnels they make, then use the barrier method. For example, bury a 24″ metal or hardware cloth barrier at least 1 foot below the ground surface. To create an underground barrier, bury a 24-inch barrier. If the mole tunnels under this barrier, it will move to dig elsewhere.

Frequently Asked Question

Will moles ever leave on their own?

Moles leave alone only when their food source is exhausted. The moles are likely to remain if you don’t do anything.

What’s your best option for repairing mole damage?

If you still have moles, you can use a roller to smooth out the tracks they make underground or even stomp on them. Rake out their tunnels. After the ants are gone, you can fill in the holes with topsoil. You can also add seed.

Are home remedies for moles effective?

Some homeowners have found success spraying a mixture of distilled vinegar mixed with three parts water into the holes and tunnels. It is important to use vinegar carefully because it can kill plants around.

Is there any harm in leaving moles outside?

They also have some advantages, despite the fact that they can leave unsightly tunnels and weak points in your yard. They eat termites and ants. They also aerate and fertilize soil.