If you see tunnels and mounds in the yard, it’s an indication that moles have invaded your well-maintained and lush green yard. It’s highly disappointing to see your yard in such a bad state. However, there are several easy ways to get rid of moles. Moles are often confused with other small animals like gophers. It's important to identify moles in the first place and then look for a solution to deter them. In this blog, we'll guide you through identifications of moles and a few easy ways to get rid of them.
What Are Moles?
Moles are small burrowing animals with black or gray fur, a bare snout, a stubby tail, and shovel-shaped front paws. Moles look similar to mice, so it is important to identify them correctly before removing them. Moles mostly live under the ground. These animals have poor eyesight, which enhances their other senses, such as touch.
How to Identify Moles?
Moles are often confused with gophers or voles. However, it is possible to identify the difference by observing the shape of the mounds they make while digging. Moles make round or oval-shaped hills while digging, whereas gophers make kidney-shaped mounds. Voles do not leave grime around the entry point while digging. Another clear sign that moles have invaded the yard is the mounds of soil scattered throughout it.
Ways To Get Rid Of Moles
1. Cut off Their Food Supply
Moles mainly enter your yard in search of food. They usually feed on earthworms, grubs, and lawn insects. If they do not get these food sources, they won't enter your yard. Hence, to get rid of moles, first eliminate their food sources.
2. Try Household Methods
Castor oil can be used as a mole repellent because it disrupts moles' digestive tracts. Hence, make a DIY castor oil-based mole repellent by mixing castor oil and dish soap in a 3:1 ratio. Add 4 tablespoons of this mixture to 1 gallon of water. Pour this solution into the tunnels of the moles. Since moles can't tolerate castor oil, they will soon leave their tunnels.
3. Create Barriers by Using Plants and Rocks
A few plants, like Daffodils and Marigolds are known to repel moles with their fragrance. Also, planting them will enhance the yard's appearance. Try to identify the areas where moles hang out and excavate the spot, then fill these burrows with rocks. The rocks will stop the moles from coming out.
4. Make Their Environment Uninhabitable
Make the environment uninhabitable for moles. As moles love moist soil, try to improve the drainage. Moles as well as earthworms love moist, damp soil; hence, to limit the moles and earthworms' invasion in the yard, it's ideal to prevent overwatering to keep the soil dry.
5. Use Repellents
Consider using repellents that have castor oil as their active ingredient. There are various such repellents available in the market. Consider using the repellents once a month to stop moles from returning to your yard.
6. Set a Trap
Trapping is the best way to get rid of moles. Traps are of three types: scissors style, harpoon style, and chooker loop. Place any type of trap over the tunnels where you suspect mole activity. Moles frequently change their habits, so it may take multiple trials to trap them.
7. Ultrasonic Devices
Ultrasonic devices also work as an alternative in repelling moles. These devices either run on solar power or batteries, but you'll need the ultrasonic devices in large numbers to get rid of moles. However, there is no scientific evidence that these devices work.
8. Set Up a Barrier
If you just want to reduce the damage that moles cause to your garden and you do not want to kill moles, creating a barrier can be a good choice. You can protect your garden from moles by using the following two methods.
- Setting Up a Vertical Barrier
Dig a 2-3 foot deep trench all around the perimeter of the garden. Now, using rocks or wire mesh, fill the trench, ensuring that the wire mesh reaches at least 6-12 inches above the ground. This will prevent the moles from digging in the ground.
- Create Bulb Cages
This is challenging work, but it is an effective method to protect the bulbs from moles and other pests. Consider creating wire cages individually for each bulb.
Consider Avoiding Baits
Make sure that you do not use any toxic bait to get rid of moles, as other animals like cats, dogs, or children might ingest the bait, resulting in several health risks to them. Also, when a mole ingests the bait and dies, and that mole is eaten by a predator, the predator too comes at risk. Baits can also pose risks to children if ingested accidentally.
