Sasha CampbellAs 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 sign that you may have moles in your yard or garden is raised mounds of dirt. These molehills may appear throughout your yard as the creatures dig underground in search of earthworms, grubs, and other insects.
Additionally, mole damage can be seen from the displacement of 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].
However, although moles can damage lawns and garden beds through tunneling, they also help control insect populations and aerate the soil.
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, natural mole repellents, and traps.
1. Eliminate Grubs
Reducing grub populations may help discourage moles, though they may persist if earthworms and other soil insects are plentiful.
Beneficial nematodes and even soapy water can help eliminate grubs. Additionally, these other natural remedies can get rid of 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 will also keep away 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 one of the best mole deterrent products. This mixture of castor oil and fuller’s earth creates a taste and smell that repels these pests.
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. It will not kill moles, but it will cause digestive interruptions when ingested and also cause topical itching.
Apply it as you would other granular repellents, either by hand or with a spreader, following the package instructions.
7. Root Guard
This product may deter these pests from your flower or vegetable gardens.
Root baskets are more effective against gophers and voles than moles, but they may still help protect delicate plant roots from tunneling damage.
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
Applying fresh or used coffee grounds to tunnels in your yard may deter persistent moles and gophers. Some gardeners believe the strong smell may discourage moles.
Unfortunately, this method requires finding all the holes and applying the coffee grounds to them.
9. Dawn Dish Soap
This home remedy will not harm burrowing animals. Instead, the treatment will repel them, sending them elsewhere.
To get rid of garden moles, 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 to evict moles. 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 to discourage moles from tunneling through lawns and garden beds. They believe the mineral content may make the area less appealing to moles.
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
Household vinegar is effective against many garden pests and can also be used to get rid of moles. However, it will not kill them.
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?
These ground-dwelling creatures love to eat 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 and can consume almost their entire body weight in insects daily. However, frequent burrowing can harm plant roots.
Moles do not feed directly on plants, but they cause root damage through their burrowing. However, if the plant exhibits direct damage from being bitten, this could be a gopher or vole, not a mole.
Takeaway
Now that you know how to get rid of a mole, be ready to deter them naturally 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 keep your garden and lawn free of moles.
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