You’ve poured time and effort into creating a perfect, lush lawn, only to discover a series of dirt mounds marring your beautiful landscape. Ground moles can absolutely wreck a yard, leaving a network of tunnels and ugly piles of earth everywhere they go. These tiny animals might seem harmless, but the damage they inflict on your outdoor space is anything but small.
If you’re fed up with the destruction, it’s time to reclaim your yard. But before you call in professionals or resort to harsh chemicals, consider some simple and effective home remedies. These methods are not only natural and safe for your property but are also much kinder to your budget. Let’s explore how you can use common household items to get rid of moles and restore your lawn to its former glory.
What Attracts Moles To Your Yard?
Moles spend almost their entire lives inside the tunnels they create, so they naturally gravitate toward environments that offer the perfect habitat for digging, raising young, and finding food.
Here are the primary factors that make a yard attractive to moles.
1. Food Sources
The diet of a mole consists mainly of earthworms, white grubs, beetle larvae, and other insects. Because of this, moles will establish complex tunnel systems in areas with a rich supply of these food sources. These small mammals have a big appetite, with some consuming 70 to 80 percent of their body weight in food every single day.
2. Landscaping Elements
Moles often build their tunnels along existing landscape features, such as fence lines and pathways. They will also readily burrow beneath shrubs and trees to hunt for insects that live among the root systems.
3. Cool Temperatures
Your lawn becomes an ideal spot for moles if the soil is kept cool and damp, as this environment helps them regulate their body temperature. You might notice a sudden increase in mole activity on your property if you water your lawn frequently, especially when neighboring areas are dry.
9 Home Remedies to Get Rid of Moles in the Yard And Garden
Let’s dive into the various home remedies you can use to clear ground moles out of your yard for good.
1. Use Castor Oil
Applying castor oil to your yard’s soil can make it an unwelcome place for ground moles. While this method doesn’t kill them, castor oil produces a scent that moles despise. It also permeates the soil, making it a less inviting habitat for the insects they feed on. Create a spray by mixing three parts castor oil, three parts water, and one part dish soap. Apply it directly to areas with molehills and visible tunnels.
2. Repel Moles using Coffee Grounds
Moles are repelled by the strong smell of coffee grounds, whether they are fresh or used. Sprinkle the grounds directly into their tunnels and cover them with soil. In addition to driving moles away, coffee grounds also act as a natural fertilizer for your lawn. The main drawback to this remedy is that you have to find the active tunnels. Also, since grubs are a primary food source for moles, be aware that grubs enjoy eating coffee grounds. If you aren’t careful, this solution could end up attracting more moles by providing their food with a feast.
3. Use Plants As Mole Repellent
You can plant certain species around the edges of your lawn and garden to create a natural barrier. The scent of these plants will help keep these persistent mammals out of your yard. Some of the most effective mole repellent plants are daffodils, marigolds, garlic, castor bean plants, fritillarias, and caper spurge. This approach is not only humane and safe but also adds beauty to your landscape. It does, however, require ongoing maintenance and can take time to become effective.
4. Use Dawn Dish Soap
This is another homemade recipe that deters moles from your yard without harming them. To create your own dawn dish soap repellent, start by combining one part dawn dish soap with three parts castor oil. Next, take four tablespoons of this mixture and combine it with one gallon of water. Shake the solution well. Pour it directly into the mole tunnels and spray the remaining solution across other parts of your lawn.
5. Get Rid of Ground Moles with Vinegar
This common household product is a popular choice for eliminating ground moles. You can kill moles and prevent new ones from moving in by pouring white vinegar directly into their tunnels. A word of warning is necessary, as vinegar can easily burn and kill your grass. Apply it carefully, targeting only the problematic areas to avoid damaging your lawn.
6. Kill Moles Using Marshmallows
Although there is no scientific data to back up this method, some people swear that placing marshmallows in mole tunnels will kill the animals. The theory is that the carrageenan found in commercial marshmallows is indigestible to moles, slowing their digestive system and eventually causing death. To try this, first remove all other potential food sources from your yard. Then, place marshmallows into the mole holes and at the ends of tunnels. Repeat the process until you no longer see mole activity. This method is inexpensive and simple. It is also non-toxic to people, but its success relies entirely on a mole’s tolerance for the ingredients. Marshmallows are primarily made of sugar, corn syrup, and gelatin, with whipped cream giving them their signature texture.
7. Use Pet Waste
The presence of pet waste can encourage moles to seek food and shelter elsewhere. You can use the waste from your dogs or cats to your advantage by placing it near the entry and exit points of the mole tunnels to repel them.
8. Noise
Moles are quite sensitive to noise, especially loud sounds. You can drive them away by installing noise-making items like wind chimes in your yard. Another option is to hang a portable radio in areas with mole holes and turn the volume up to annoy the critters into leaving.
9. Use Carbon Monoxide
The carbon monoxide from your car’s exhaust can be an effective mole deterrent. To convince these creatures your yard is not a good home, you can flood their tunnels with the emissions from your vehicle. Be sure to cover every hole to prevent the gas from leaking out.
