The constant digging, tunneling, and burrowing of moles can wreak havoc on your yard. Along the beautiful flowers blooming and the flawless, green grass, during springtime, you may find small mounds of dirt that were dug up by these pesky creatures.
Unfortunately, an unsightly lawn may not be your only problem with these animals. Moles eat soil and plants, weakening the roots and disrupting your landscaping.
They can destroy trees, shrubs, and even house foundations if left unchecked. Worse, they can create problems for any type of underground piping you may have.
In a nutshell, getting rid of moles can be done by using several different methods, including traps, poisons, and repellents. The entire process can be challenging because moles are naturally timid animals that are difficult to target.
Finding their hiding spots and identifying where they’re coming from are among the initial steps. Once you’ve found their burrowing areas, you can begin to set your traps or place your poison.

How to Know if Moles are the Culprits ?
The small rodents that live underground and make your yard their home are moles. These animals have long, cylindrical bodies that taper at the head and the hind end.
Their hind legs are longer than their front legs, and because of this, they are able to tunnel quickly and efficiently. They also have long claws that help them to dig.
Their fur is dark, and they have no tail. Because they don’t have good eyesight, they use their sense of touch to navigate the underground tunnels that they live in.
Moles are proficient diggers and can tunnel through your yard at a rate of 18 feet per hour! In one day, a single mole can create up to 100-150 yards of burrows and tunnels. The main tunnel is usually two to four inches in diameter and is located just below the surface of your yard.
This is where the mole spends most of its time. From this main tunnel, smaller tunnels branch out in search of food. The average life span of a mole is three to six years.
Before you go ahead and plan a mole pest control strategy, make sure that moles are, in fact, the culprits. Here’s how to identify moles:
- Look for small, raised dirt hills in your yard. You know, the ones you’ve seen in movies or on TV. These are called molehills, and they’re caused by moles throwing up dirt as they burrow through your yard.
- Check for small, circular holes in your lawn. Moles leave these behind as they travel through their tunnels just below the surface of your yard.
- Look for damaged plant life. Moles eat both insects and plants, so if you see damaged or chewed-up plants in your yard, it’s a good indication that moles are present.
- Moles live underground, and you’d rarely see them on the surface. Other rodents, such as rats, mice, voles, and shrews, are also known to cause damage to yards, but they’re much easier to spot. These animals are active both day and night, so if you see one running around your yard, it’s probably not a mole.
Signs That You Have a Mole Pest Problem
Mole pest control is something that people do not realize they need until the problem has already occurred.
Moles can cause a great deal of damage to your property, and if left unchecked, their population can quickly get out of control. Here are some signs that you have a mole pest problem:
- You notice mounds of dirt in your yard. This is the most obvious sign that you have a mole problem. Moles dig tunnels underground, and as they do so, they push the dirt up to the surface, creating small hills or mounds.
- Your grass looks damaged. If you see brown patches in your grass or dead spots, it could be because moles are eating the roots of the grass. This can weaken and kill the grass, leaving your lawn looking patchy and unhealthy.
- You hear strange noises coming from underground. Moles make a chattering noise as they dig their tunnels. If you hear this noise coming from your yard, it’s a good indication that you have moles on your property.
- Foul odor coming from underground. Another sign of a mole problem is a foul odor coming from the ground. This is due to the moles urinating and defecating in their tunnels.
If you notice any of these signs, it’s time to take action and get rid of the moles on your property. The sooner you do, the less damage they’ll cause

Mole Removal Pest Control: Getting Rid of Moles Humanely
The havoc that moles can wreak on your property is enough to make anyone want to get rid of them as quickly as possible.
But before you start planning a mole extermination, it’s important to understand that these animals are protected by law in many states.
This means that you can’t just go out and kill them. You must take care to remove them humanely.
There are a number of different ways to get rid of moles, and which one you choose will depend on your personal preferences and the severity of your mole problem. Some common methods of mole removal include:
Trapping
Similar to other pest control methods, there’s nothing more humane than trapping when it comes to getting rid of moles.
There are a number of different traps on the market, and which one you choose will depend on your preferences. Live traps are popular because they allow you to catch the mole and release it far away from your property.
Place these traps in active mole tunnels, and check them regularly to see if you’ve caught anything. If you have a lot of moles on your property, you may need to set several traps.
Dig a Trench
This method doesn’t necessarily kill the moles, but it will get them to move out of your yard. To do this, you’ll need to dig a trench around the perimeter of your property. The trench should be about 24 inches deep and 6 inches wide.
Once you’ve dug the trench, fill it with rocks or any form of wire mesh. This prevents moles from digging further and burrowing through your yard. It is an invisible yet effective way to keep moles out.
The entire process may take some time to complete, but once it’s done, it’s pretty much effective and can help get rid of your mole infestation once and for all.
Mole Repellents
Plants that belong to the allium family, such as marigolds, daffodils, and garlic, can help keep moles away from your property. The scent of these plants is offensive to moles, and they will stay away from areas where these plants are present.
These plants can act as a natural repellent when planted along your landscaping edges. This works as a natural barrier to keep moles from getting on your property in the first place.
Aside from being a humane way to keep moles away, it also adds some beauty and depth to your yard.
How to Prevent Them from Coming Back
Now that you’ve gotten rid of the moles on your property, it’s important to take steps to prevent them from coming back. Here are some tips:
Install Sonic Spikes
The trench alone should be enough to keep moles away, but you can also take things one step further by installing sonic spikes.
These devices emit a high-pitched noise that deters moles from getting close to your property. These soundwaves will simply encourage moles to go elsewhere – not anywhere near your property.
These noises aren’t audible to the human ear – making it a safe option for you and your family. These sonic spikes can be found in most hardware stores and can be easily installed within minutes.
Keep Your Lawn Trimmed
Moles are naturally drawn to anywhere there’s food and water source. For the most part, moles are drawn to areas where there are a lot of grubs. These insects are a staple in the mole’s diet, and they will travel long distances just to get to them.
By keeping your lawn trimmed and free of debris, you make it less likely for grubs to infest your property. This, in turn, will help keep moles away.

Castor Oil and Dish Soap Repellent
This is a safe and effective way to make your own mole repellent. All you need is castor oil and dish soap. Simply mix these two ingredients together in a bowl and pour them into a spray bottle.
Spray this mixture around the perimeter of your property and anywhere else moles are known to travel. The scent of castor oil will deter moles from getting anywhere near your property.
Additional Pest Control Mole Tips
Moles can be a nuisance, but with the right mole control methods, you can get rid of them for good. Keep these tips in mind to keep moles away:
- Use a combination of traps, repellents, and barriers to creating an effective mole control plan.
- Check your traps regularly and empty them as needed.
- Be patient – it may take some time to see results.
- Don’t be afraid to hire pest control experts. If you’re not comfortable dealing with moles on your own, hiring a professional is always an option.
Final Thoughts
Moles can be a pain, but with the right pest control methods, you can get rid of them for good. A combination of traps, grub-free yards, and repellents will help keep moles away from your property.
Be patient and consistent with your mole control efforts, and you should see results in no time. Your well-manicured lawn is within reach – you just have to be willing to put in the work.