12 Natural Ways to Get Rid of Moles in Yard & Garden

As the gardening season begins, moles can become a frustrating problem for many homeowners and gardeners.

Moles can damage lawns and gardens by tunneling underground.

Learning the early signs of mole activity can help you act quickly. Also, be ready with all-natural solutions to keep them out of your vegetable garden.

Identification

Moles are small mammals that live underground, burrowing in search of food (such as spiders, earthworms, and grubs).

One common sign of mole activity is the appearance of raised mounds of soil, known as molehills. These form as moles tunnel underground in search of food.

You may also notice raised ridges or soft tunnels running across the lawn surface, which form as moles travel just below the soil.

Mole activity can also displace the roots of small plants and seedlings in vegetable and flower beds. As they tunnel through, you may also notice patches of discolored or dead grass [1].

Note: Moles can hurt lawns by tunneling. Still, they bring benefits too. They aerate the soil and eat many pests that live underground.

How to Get Rid of Moles in Garden and Yard Naturally

Use your preferred method or a mix of these natural ways to remove moles from your garden and yard. These are home remedies and natural mole repellents.

1. Eliminate Grubs

Reducing grub populations may make your yard less attractive to moles.

However, moles feed heavily on earthworms and other soil-dwelling invertebrates. So, eliminating grubs alone may not be enough to drive them away.

Beneficial nematodes and even soapy water can also help eliminate grubs. Additionally, these natural remedies can eliminate grubs.

2. Castor Oil

Castor oil is a popular home remedy that may help repel moles from gardens and lawns.

Combine 6 ounces of castor oil with 2 tablespoons of dish soap and 1 gallon of water.

Shake well and spray the soil around active mole tunnels and molehills. It may also help repel voles.

3. Repellent Plants

Some gardeners believe plants such as daffodils, garlic, castor beans, fritillarias, and caper spurge may help discourage moles.

Plant these mole-deterrent plants around gardens and lawn edges. However, remember that castor beans and caper spurge are toxic to humans and pets [2, 3].

4. Holy Moley Mole Repellent

Holy Moley by St. Gabriel Organics is a popular commercial mole repellent. This mixture of castor oil and fuller’s earth is designed to create conditions that encourage moles to leave the treated area.

Another big plus is that this product will not harm pets. You can also use it in organic vegetable gardens, flower beds, and lawns.

5. Victor Mole and Gopher Repellent

This natural product also repels moles, voles, gophers, and other burrowing animals.

Victor Mole and Gopher Repellent comes in both liquid and granular forms. The liquid contains 100% castor oil, while the granular form combines castor oil and fuller’s earth.

Apply the product according to the package instructions.

6. Chase Granular Repellent

Chase Granular is another product that uses castor oil as its main ingredient. Many users report that the product helps reduce mole activity.

According to the manufacturer, the product works by creating an unpleasant taste and sensation. This encourages moles to leave the treated area.

Apply it as you would other granular repellents, either by hand or with a spreader, following the package instructions.

7. Root Guard

Root baskets do not repel moles, but they may help protect delicate roots from tunneling damage. They are generally more effective against gophers and voles, which directly feed on roots.

Choose a basket that is one size larger than the plant’s root ball. The large basket will allow for growth while keeping the pests away.

You can also use the mini-baskets in pots.

8. Coffee Grounds

Some gardeners place fresh or used coffee grounds in mole tunnels because they believe the strong smell may discourage moles. However, there is little scientific evidence that coffee grounds reliably repel moles.

Unfortunately, this method requires finding all the holes and applying the coffee grounds to them.

9. Dawn Dish Soap

Some gardeners use this homemade mixture to try to repel garden moles and other burrowing animals. However, scientific evidence supporting its effectiveness is limited.

To give it a try, combine one part Dawn dish soap with three parts castor oil. Next, mix four tablespoons of the mixture with a gallon of water.

Shake well and pour the mixture into the tunnels. You can spray your lawn with this homemade mole repellent to keep the creatures farther away.

10. Dig a Trench

Installing a barrier may help keep moles out of certain garden areas without harming them.

A barrier buried 18 to 24 inches deep may help reduce mole tunneling. Fill it with gravel, then cover the top with dirt.

Hitting this gravel barrier will force them to retrace their steps. It may help discourage further tunneling.

11. Epsom Salt

Some gardeners use Epsom salt as a home remedy for moles. However, there is little scientific evidence that it effectively repels them.

To give it a try, sprinkle a light layer of Epsom salt around active tunnels, molehills, and garden borders. Reapply after heavy rain if needed.

Avoid excessive use, as too much salt can degrade soil quality and harm plant health.

12. Vinegar

Some gardeners use vinegar as a mole deterrent because of its strong odor, although there is limited evidence that it provides long-term control.

Just pour some white vinegar into the mole hills. The smell may help drive away existing ground moles and discourage new ones from moving in.

Still, avoid pouring large amounts near desirable plants or directly into garden beds, as vinegar may damage vegetation and beneficial soil organisms.

Will Marshmallows Work?

Some home remedies online suggest placing marshmallows in mole holes, but there is little scientific evidence that this method works.

What Do Moles Eat and Why Are They Tunneling?

Moles primarily feed on grubs, earthworms, centipedes, and insect larvae. All these food choices are found in the soil of gardens, lawns, and similar areas.

They tunnel through the soil in search of food. Each day, they can consume nearly their body weight in earthworms, insects, and other soil-dwelling invertebrates.

However, their tunnels may disturb or expose plant roots, especially in garden beds and newly planted areas.

Moles do not feed directly on plants, but they cause root damage through their burrowing. But if the plant shows direct damage from being bitten, it could be a gopher or vole, not a mole.

Takeaway

Now that you know how to get rid of moles naturally, you can take action as soon as the first mound of dirt appears.

Natural deterrents include smells like castor oil and coffee grounds. These natural deterrents can be applied directly to mole tunnels, soil, or garden borders.

Some gardeners also use repellent plants to help discourage moles.

Using a combination of these natural methods may help reduce mole activity and protect your garden and lawn from damage.