Moles in Lawns - Solutions for Your Life - University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (2024)

FAQs

What is the best solution for moles in the yard? ›

For a homemade remedy, mix three parts castor oil and one part dish soap. Add four tablespoons of the mixture to a gallon of water. Soak the tunnels and entrances to evict the moles and soak the holes to evict gophers. Castor oil is one of the most effective home remedies to get rid of these animals.

It is not legal to kill or poison moles in Florida, so mole control is taken care of by using a trap and release trap system.

Moles dislike activity and noise. Vibrating mole scarers that work off battery or solar power may be successful for a time, perhaps more so than musical greeting-cards stuck into mole hills. The latter has often been suggested in the past.

The main reason that moles invade your yard is to search for food. Their primary food sources are earthworms, grubs, and lawn insects. If no food is available, they won't find your yard attractive. To help limit the moles' food supply, use products labeled to control grubs, ants, mole crickets, and other lawn insects.

Mixing tabasco sauce, castor oil, peppermint oil, and water together can make a very potent mixture. This ingredient is a staple in many homes, and it can serve its purpose in getting rid of moles and gophers. This mixture can easily eliminate these nasty crawlers out of the gardens and backyards.

Home remedies like vinegar can help chase moles away from your lawn, keeping them from carving destructive holes throughout your yard. To use this household staple, all you need to do is mix it with water and spray it near areas where moles have been.

There is one mole poison bait that will kill moles within 24 hours called Talpirid. The key to using Talpirid is to place the bait in the main tunnel. A mole will have a few main lines with many branch mole damage lines.

Surprisingly, many homeowners report that coffee grounds offer a natural remedy against moles. By simply scattering your old coffee grounds over their holes and covering it with soil, the smell of the coffee will annoy your yard-destroying varmints.

Lethal Solutions

Poisons and fumigants are options but should be avoided if you have pets or children that may be exposed. The only sure way to eliminate a mole is to use a mole-specific trap that kills the animal. You can find below- and above-ground traps in several designs to do the job.

What time of the day are moles most active? ›

Moles are most active in the early morning and late evening on cloudy days during the spring and fall. There are many methods advertised for removing moles, such as chewing gum and vibration and ultrasonic devices, that are advertised to deter them. Often, however, these methods are not very effective.

Flooding can force moles to the surface where they can be quickly killed with a shovel. Flood the tunnel system quickly by using five-gallon buckets of water poured into the holes. A running hose can be used to supplement the flooding, but when used alone doesn't do the job fast enough.

An abundance of insects: Moles feed on insects and larvae, so if your yard has a high population of insects or grubs, it can attract moles. With moles eating 70-100% of their body weight in worms, grubs, and insects each day, they need to find somewhere with a huge supply.

Mix equal parts of water and vinegar in a spray bottle and soak the areas around the molehills. The strong scent of vinegar can repel the moles, encouraging them to seek habitat elsewhere. If it doesn't work to get rid of ground moles with vinegar, check out some other ideas below.