You can remove moles from your home or yard in different ways. You can use traps, poisons, repellants, or an array of home or natural remedies.
Moles at home or in the yard can be a considerable menace to your daily life. The burrowing animals can create messes in your yard, garden, and home.
If you believe that you have a mole problem on your property, it’s essential to act immediately. The longer you do wait, the worse the situation can become.
But before you try these methods, it’s important to identify what type of mole and the size of the mole you’re dealing with. This will help you choose the proper approach to get rid of them.
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Common Types of Moles
There are two typical moles: the common mole and the hairy-tailed mole.
The common mole is also known as the European mole. It’s a small, black creature with a pointed snout. These moles are considered nuisance animals because they can damage your yard or garden.
Hairy-tailed moles, on the other hand, are a bit larger than common moles. They have long tails that are covered in hair.
These moles are not as destructive as common moles, but they can still cause problems on your property.
If you’re unsure what type of mole you have, it’s best to contact a professional before trying to remove them for any helpful or additional information on the best course of action.
What Attracts Moles in The First Place?
There are a variety of reasons why moles might enter your property in the first place. Some of the most common reasons include:
Looking for Food
Moles are mainly insectivores, so they are always on the hunt for earthworms, grubs, and other small insects to eat.
If your garden or yard is full of these tasty treats, moles will likely be attracted to it.
Seeking Shelter
Moles also build extensive underground tunnel systems for shelter and protection from predators. If your property has loose, soft soil, it can provide an ideal spot for moles to create burrows.
Escaping Danger
In some cases, moles may enter your property in search of safety. If predators in the area or the mole’s natural habitat is being destroyed, moles may migrate to a new location to stay alive.
Following Mates
Male moles will often travel long distances in search of a mate. If female moles are present on your property, males may be drawn to the area in hopes of finding a partner.
Wandering
In some cases, moles simply wander onto properties by accident. Suppose your yard is adjacent to a mole-populated field or forest. In that case, there is a chance that moles will occasionally end up on your property, even if they are not explicitly looking for food or shelter.
How To Identify Mole Damage in Your Yard & Garden
Moles can cause severe damage to your yard or garden. They create unsightly mounds of dirt, upturn sod, and destroy plant roots.
Secondly, their tunneling disrupts the growth of grass, shrubs, and other plants. Their burrowing can also damage your lawnmower and other lawn care equipment.
If you suspect mole activity in your yard, there are a few tell-tale signs to look for:
Mound of Dirt
This is the most obvious indication that a mole is present. Moles typically create small, conical-shaped mounds of loose dirt as they excavate their tunnels.
The size of the mound will depend on how active the mole is and how long it has been present.
Tunnels
Another sure sign that a mole is living in your yard is the presence of tunnels. These will appear as raised, dirt-covered areas and will be most visible in the early morning or after heavy rain.
The tunnels are typically 2-3 inches in diameter and can extend for long distances.
Damage to Plants
Moles can damage both the above and below-ground parts of plants. Above the ground, you may see damaged leaves, stems, and flowers.
Below ground, the roots may be damaged or uprooted entirely. This damage can kill plants or make them more susceptible to disease and pests.
Lawn Damage
Moles can also damage your lawn mower or other lawn care equipment. Their tunnels can create small divots or pits in the lawn that can trip up or break lawn mowers.
In addition, their burrowing can dislodge stones, which can damage the blades of lawn mowers.
You likely have a mole problem if you see any of these signs in your yard. The best way to get rid of moles is to contact a pest control professional.
Home Remedies to Get Rid of Moles
You can remove moles from your home or yard in different ways. You can use repellants, traps, poisons, or an array of natural remedies.
Repellants
Repellants are efficient at getting rid of moles in your yard. The most popular type of repellent is a sonic repellent. These devices emit a high-frequency sound deterring moles from digging through your lawn.
You can also use chemical repellents, but they are not as effective as sonic repellents and can harm pets and children.
Traps
Trapping is indeed one of the most effective ways to get rid of moles. There are two types of traps that you can use: live traps and lethal traps.
- Live traps: capture the mole so that you can release it into another area.
- Lethal traps: kill the mole so that you can dispose of it.
Poisons
Poisons are not recommended for removing moles because they can be dangerous to pets and children. Their side effects on pets and children outweigh their advantages.
Baits are the most effective type if you choose to use poison. These baits contain food that moles eat and will kill them after eating it.
Home Remedies
There are several DIY home remedies that you can use to get rid of moles. One popular home remedy is to take and mix equal parts of tea tree oil or castor oil and molasses and apply them to the molehills. Flaxseed oil can also work in this regard.
Another home mole removal strategy is to mix water, cayenne pepper, and garlic and spray it on the molehills.
Using apple cider vinegar is another natural remedy for mole removal at home. The acetic acid in apple cider vinegar is a natural mole repellent.
Mix equivalent parts of water and apple cider vinegar in a spray bottle and spritz it around the affected area. Reapply every few days as needed. You can alternatively soak a cotton ball in apple cider vinegar and place it on the mole tunnel entrance.