Proven Ways to Get Rid of Garden Moles for Good

While moles are carnivorous and do not eat the plants in your garden, their tunnels can cause damage to your plants.^{[1]XResearch source} Getting rid of these pests can take some time and patience, but will overall help keep your plants alive.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Setting a Trap

1
Place toxic baits in the tunnels. Toxic baits will resemble earthworms, which are the mole’s primary food source. Find a tunnel running through your garden and dig into it. Drop 1 of the baits into the tunnel and then fill in the hole you dug. Place 3 or 4 baits throughout the tunnel or near exposed molehills. Toxic mole baits can be purchased at most gardening stores or online.^{[2]XTrustworthy SourceState of OregonOfficial website for the State of OregonGo to source}
- If you notice new mounds appearing in your garden, place more baits near them.^{[3]XTrustworthy SourceState of OregonOfficial website for the State of OregonGo to source}
- Many times, baits will not be enough and you will need to pair them with traps.
2
Use a spear trap for shallow tunnels. Spear or harpoon traps are spring-loaded and impale the mole as it passes through its tunnel. Use your thumbs to depress the center of an active tunnel by about 1 inch (2.5 cm). Push the trap into the soil so just the tips of the spikes are in the ground. When the mole passes through the tunnel, the trap will set and stab into the mole.^{[4]XResearch source}
- Use caution when setting the trap since it has sharp, spring-loaded edges.
- If you have pets or children that play outdoors, select a different trap since spear traps have sharp exposed edges.
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Dig into and expose the tunnel with a tool the same width of the trap. Build up a mound of compact dirt in the middle of the tunnel. Set the trap on top of the mound, following the instructions on the package.^{[5]XResearch source} When the mole tries to dig through the mound, the trap activates and snaps the blades together to kill the mole.^{[6]XResearch source}
4
Lay a barrel trap in the tunnel for minimal setup. Dig a hole the size of the hole into an active tunnel.^{[7]XResearch source} Fit the barrel into the hole and cover it so sunlight cannot penetrate through. When the mole moves through the barrel, claws will puncture the mole and kill it efficiently.
- Barrel traps are effective for yards if you have pets or children.
5
Make a humane trap by burying a bucket under their tunnel. Dig a hole large enough to fit a jar or large bucket underneath the bottom of a mole tunnel. Keep the lip of the bucket level with the tunnel’s bottom. Cover the tunnel with dirt so no sunlight gets through. Check the trap twice daily to see if you’ve caught any moles.^{[8]XResearch source}
- Release live moles somewhere 5 miles (8.0 km) away from your yard and be sure they are not near any other garden.^{[9]XResearch source}
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using Household Treatments

1
Flood the tunnels using a garden hose. Take your hose and place the spout in one of the molehills. Turn your hose on to a steady stream until the tunnel floods. Keep your eyes on other molehills in your garden to see if a mole tries to escape.^{[10]XResearch source} If problems persist, try flooding the tunnels again.
- Most moles can swim, so it may take a while for the moles to come to the surface for air.^{[11]XResearch source}
2
Sprinkle strong-scented materials near the molehills. Moles have very sensitive noses and strong scents can deter them from the area. Using materials such as red pepper, cayenne, or coffee grounds near the entrances of molehills can make a mole abandon an area.^{[12]XResearch source}
- Blood meal fertilizer has a high nitrogen content and helps plants grow while also deterring moles from the area.
- Be sure to always re-apply the material after it rains, otherwise a mole may return to its tunnels.
Since roofing tar has a strong smell, moles will avoid the area. A corn cob is a perfect size for fitting into the hole leading into a mole’s tunnel. Plug each of the entrances to force the mole out from the ground.^{[13]XResearch source}
4
Make a castor oil repellent. Castor oil has a pungent smell and makes a good repellent for moles. Mix 3 parts castor oil to 1 part dish detergent. Combine 4 tablespoons (59 ml) of the liquid with 1 gallon (3.8 L) of water. Pour the mixture into and around the tunnels.^{[14]XResearch source}
- Pouring the full amount across the molehills will also coat some of the mole's food source and cause it to taste foul.^{[15]XResearch source}
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Taking Preventative Measures

1
Keep a cat outside to hunt the moles. Cats hunt and kill small mammals like moles and mice. Let your cat explore and hunt in your yard. Even the smell of an outdoor cat will help deter them from the area.^{[16]XResearch source}
- Using cat litter around or in the molehills will discourage moles from the area.^{[17]XResearch source}
Moles essentially “swim” through the ground with their front paws. When the soil is drier, it is more difficult for the mole to burrow and travel through the ground. Watering your garden less will attract fewer earthworms and make moles find new food sources.^{[18]XResearch source}
3
Bury a wire mesh 18 inches (0.46 m) into the ground around your garden. Measure the total length around your garden to find how much mesh you will need. Dig a trench around your garden that is 18 inches (0.46 m) deep. Leave 6 inches (15 cm) of mesh exposed above the ground. You can purchase wire mesh at any home improvement or garden store.^{[19]XResearch source}
- It is possible for moles to chew through the wire mesh, so consider opting thicker or sturdier wire.^{[20]XResearch source}
EXPERT TIP
"Moles don't really damage the plants, so in a vegetable garden, we just line the bed with wire so the moles can't disturb the seedlings."
Steve Masley
Home & Garden Specialist
Steve Masley has been designing and maintaining organic vegetable gardens in the San Francisco Bay Area for over 30 years. He is an Organic Gardening Consultant and Founder of Grow-It-Organically, a website that teaches clients and students the ins and outs of organic vegetable gardening. In 2007 and 2008, Steve taught the Local Sustainable Agriculture Field Practicum at Stanford University.
Steve Masley
Home & Garden Specialist
4
Spray beneficial nematodes on the ground to remove grubs. Nematodes are a small bacteria that infect the grubs in your yard to use as their food source. Purchase a nematode solution online or in gardening stores. Follow the directions on the packaging to spread it across your yard.^{[21]XResearch source}
- Nematodes will also kill Japanese beetle larva, so you can get rid of two pests at once!^{[22]XResearch source}
Dig out an area 1 foot (0.30 m) wide and 24 inches (0.61 m) deep. Fill the hole with gravel so a mole can not dig through it. Cover the gravel with a thin layer of soil or sod to keep a uniform look in your lawn or garden.
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Tips

Avoid using insecticides on your garden. Moles feed on earthworms and grubs, some of which are healthy for your garden.^{[23]XResearch source}
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Warnings

Use caution setting the traps, as many will have sharp edges. Follow the directions on the packaging closely to avoid injury.
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