Pest Control > MolesAugust 25, 2011
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Getting Rid of Moles in Your Yard

Mole Digging Out of Hole into Open AirMoles can make your yard look really messy in a very short period of time. They are notoriously difficult to eliminate from your yard and often require professional assistance. This is a guide about getting rid of moles in your yard.

Solutions

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Getting Rid of Moles in Your Yard

From what I have read, moles are difficult to get rid of. There are lots of things that people try with mixed results, such as putting garlic down the holes. The best solution I found was using castor oil.

The theory is that worms, which are part of a moles diet, are coated in castor oil which makes them less tasty and the moles will move on to another area. There are castor oil repellants commercially available, but I was able to find a recipe on WA state fish and wildlife page.

Ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup unrefined castor oil
  • 2 Tbsp dish soap

Directions:

  1. Combine and blend in a blender.
  2. After the first mix, add 6 Tbsp water and blend again.
  3. Take this concentrated mixture and add 2 Tbsp to 1 gallon of water, place in a sprayer and spray liberally in areas where the moles are active and areas that you want to be protected.

This works best in areas where the ground will be watered from time to time. The treatment should last 30-60 days and may need to be reapplied before the moles relocate.

Source: http://wdfw.wa.gov/living/moles.html

By StellaBella from Manchester, WA

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Castor Beans for Mole Control

I have been bothered by moles routing through my garden eating my earthworms. I read that the castor bean was poisonous. I grow castor plants, so I put a dozen seeds in a run. The seeds were gone in a few days, and I haven't seen any signs of moles since.

By Jerry W. from Wells, VT

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Castor Oil Mole Repellant

Moles don't like Castor oil. Try this solution and be sure to let us know whether it was successful.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup castor oil
  • 2 gallons water

Directions

Pour this solution around the perimeter of you garden or lawn and keep some on hand to pour on mole mounds when they appear. Continue doing this for a month.

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Questions

Here are questions related to this page. Click "Ask a Question" if you have a question to ask about this topic.

Ground Moles

I live in Illinois and this Summer we hardly had any rain and it's been extemely hot. I have lived in my house for 14 years and this is the very first time that I have ground hogs or ground moles making tunnels in my front yard. They have eaten up my entire Hosta plant. What is the best way to get rid of this pest so it doesn't come back next year?

 

Most Recent Answer

By Dudabug 06/17/2010

For the large moles ( leaves the big mounds ) I found the tunnel right after one had dug in our front yard. I took chili pepper out and sprinkled a bunch in the hole. He hasn't been to the front yard. In the back we have small little tunnels above the ground. What can I do for them?

Moles Tearing Up My Yard

We are having some serious issues with ground moles and the many tunnels they keep digging in our yard. Our next door neighbor keeps throwing bread out in her yard. Can someone tell me if moles also feast on bread? She will not stop doing this. We also have a problem with ground squirrels and the many holes they too dig. This is getting out of control. Thanks in advance for your feedback.

By Sandy from IL

 

Most Recent Answer

By c t 12/03/2009

Get a cat. They love all those small rodent types.

Getting Rid of Moles in the Yard

Would anyone know how to help get rid of moles in my yard? They're turning it into a sponge. I've tried all the commercial products and the spinner things to no avail.

By Crystal F.

 

Most Recent Answer

By muttmom 07/29/2011

Works, kitty poop retrieved from litter box into hole or tunnel. Another is to have your husband pee in a bucket at night or if you have a shed he can close the door and use a bucket or some container. Pour over dirt mound. They move out. I hear you laughing. You have to admit, it is natural and it doesn't cost a bunch. Have fun with it, start a business if you like.

Getting Rid of Moles and Voles Without Harming Trees

What's the best way to rid a yard full of trees from moles/voles?

By Karen G.

 

Most Recent Answer

By noel 12/16/2011

Here's a company I recommend: they have tips to get rid of moles/voles. Hope this helps!
http://www.gardensalive.com/article.asp?ai=453

Ridding My Yard of Moles

How do I get rid of moles in my yard?

Hardiness Zone: 8b

By Debbie from Fremont, CA

 

Most Recent Answer

By sillepeanut 06/02/2010

My ex-husband swears by using cotton balls soaked in caster oil. After soaking cotton balls you just drop them in the mole holes or open a tunnel and drop in the moies don't like the oil on there skin and I think the smell also.

Getting Rid of Moles

I live in Cape Town, South Africa. Does anyone know how I can keep moles out of my garden?

By June from Cape Town South Africa

 

Most Recent Answer

By Steve Albano 07/30/2010

Do you know if what you have are "golden moles" or "mole rats"? Both can cause damage. Neither is particularly closely related to the true moles of Europe, Asia, and North America.

Getting Rid of Moles With Moth Balls

Do mothball really get rid of moles?

By Beverly from Kansas

 

Most Recent Answer

By mcslacker 03/24/2009

You need to get a lawn fertilizer type product that contains grub giller. Grubs are these gross white worm looking bugs that live in the roots of the grass & attract the moles as the moles eat the grubs. Follow the package directions. It is usually best to do the application before a good rain and this is also a good time of year to do this. Be sure to by enough product to get the job done right the first time! If you don't get the problem under control it can become quite costly. Friends of mine actually had to remove their whole lawn and replant it. Good luck!

Getting Rid of Mole, Voles, or Gophers

Is there an easy way to rid my yard of voles, moles, and gophers? They are destroying my lawn and shrubs.

Hardiness Zone: 5b

By Dee from Long Island, NY

 

Most Recent Answer

By floydtheduck 11/16/2010

Castor Oil and Cayenne pepper work pretty well. The Castor Oil has to be an industrial grade (you can see if you have Murphy's Castor Oil around the house). They don't like the smell of the pepper or oil.
The trouble with moles and voles is they dig, and most products out on the market only hit the surface. If you're only concerned about your garden or other small area, try stirring up the soil a little and put some cayenne pepper and castor oil in there. Ammonia is also a strong smell that will deter them.

I've also heard of using human hair. Never tried it, but some friends told me if you stir it in the soil that will repel them as well. I've even heard someone say they used to put a donut in the holes, and it actually worked! :)

Getting Rid of Moles

We have moles and maybe voles in the yard, leaving little mounds of dirt everywhere. When it was just in the lawn it was bad enough, but now something is in the veggie garden. How do we get rid of them?

By Zippy

 

Most Recent Answer

By judylowery 07/08/2011

If you like cats, then I recommend getting a female they are the best catchers of moles voles and mice not to mention other critters that invade your yard I have 2 cats and 2, 5 month. old kittens one is a male he will wait till his mom or aunt comes with a catch and steal it from them .Just provide her with regular food and water and a place to sleep she will do her job.

Related

Archives

Here are archived discussions related to this page.


How do I rid my yard of moles?

Hardiness Zone: 6a

Reg from Wheatfield


RE: Ridding My Yard of Moles

They have those things you stick in the ground that rotate & make noise under the ground. I don't remember what they're called. Your local nursery would probably know. Don't listen to anyone who wants you to injure or kill them. There are humane ways to get rid of them besides the spinning thing. Try the page in this catalog,

http://www.gardeners.com/Garden-Pest-Control/default/StandardCatalog.GardenPestControl.cat

They have a lot of organic, safe products for maintaining the yard & animal control. (03/01/2007)

By Me

RE: Ridding My Yard of Moles

I had crane flies one year and lawn die off the next from the grubs that they lay in the lawn. The following year I had moles. I let them be and they ate all the grubs. All is well now. Usually the moles are attracted by something like grubs in your lawn.

Susan from ThriftyFun (03/01/2007)

By ThriftyFun


Does anyone know how to eliminate ground moles and woodchucks from taking up residence in an and around our home.


I have a garden mole destroying my lawn and garden. Is there any sure fire way to help me get rid of this varmint?


I have moles that are tearing up my yard and I don't know how to get rid of them. Can anyone help me with this problem? I would appreciate any suggestions. Thanks, JOANIE FROM LOUISANA


How do I kill moles with boric acid?


The moles are taking over our yard. Please help. What can we do to get rid of these things? Our yard is completely a mess.


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