Moles may be small, but the chaos they create in a well-loved lawn or garden can feel monumental. Those raised tunnels, uprooted perennials, and sudden soft spots underfoot frustrate even the most patient gardeners.
But before you declare war on these soil-shifting critters, it’s worth understanding their role in Ma Nature’s grand design, and how to discourage them without harm!
Learning how to keep moles out of your yard starts with knowing why they move in, what attracts them, and how to naturally guide them elsewhere. From humane deterrents to soil care tips, here’s how to protect your landscape while still being kind to the wildlife that calls your garden home.
- All About Moles
- How to Keep Moles From Causing Damage (Without Harming Them)
- Repairing Mole Damage
- Eco-Friendly Mole Deterrent Ideas
- In the End: Let’s Give Moles the Boot - Kindly!
All About Moles
Moles are shy, solitary mammals that spend nearly their entire lives underground. Equipped with strong, paddle-like front paws and sharp claws, they can dig intricate tunnel networks at impressive speed, sometimes up to 15 feet an hour! Their velvety gray or brown fur lies flat in any direction, letting them glide through soil without resistance.
A mole’s diet is made up almost entirely of insects and soil-dwelling invertebrates. Their favorite foods are earthworms, beetle larvae, and grubs, all found in moist, rich soil. Unlike voles or gophers, moles don’t eat roots, bulbs, or plants. Most plant damage happens only when roots are accidentally lifted as moles chase their prey through tunnels.
While gardeners often see them as pests, moles play a surprisingly helpful role in the ecosystem. Their tunneling naturally aerates compacted soil, improving drainage and oxygen flow around roots. They also control harmful insects by consuming thousands of grubs and beetles every season. In moderation, their activity boosts soil health and reduces the need for mechanical aeration.
Moles do good by:
- Turning and aerating soil for better root development
- Reducing grub, ant, and beetle populations naturally
- Mixing organic material deeper into the soil
- Encouraging healthier roots through improved drainage
However, when populations grow or food is plentiful, their tunneling can become excessive. You’ll notice raised ridges (surface tunnels), small mounds of soil (called molehills), or sinking spots where tunnels collapse. These signs indicate an active feeding network right below the surface, often after rain or lawn irrigation, when worms rise closer to the topsoil.
So, while moles are misunderstood little engineers of the underground world, balance is key, appreciating their ecological benefits while keeping them from taking over your lawn and garden.
How to Keep Moles From Causing Damage (Without Harming Them Yourself)
The key to humane mole control is making your garden less appealing while protecting the beneficial roles they play. Killing moles often backfires, as other moles simply move into the abandoned tunnels. Instead, focus on prevention and natural deterrence.
Here’s how to humanely deter moles:
Remove their food source: Apply beneficial nematodes or milky spore to your lawn to reduce grubs naturally. With fewer insects to eat, moles move on to richer hunting grounds.
Create vibration or noise: Place solar-powered mole repellents, pinwheels, or even motion-activated vibrating stakes along mole runways. Moles dislike the constant disturbance and will relocate.
Use scent-based repellents: Natural repellents with castor oil (like Mole-Med) coat soil and make it smell and taste unpleasant to moles without harming them. Reapply after heavy rain.
Encourage natural predators: By encouraging wildlife, such as Owls, snakes, foxes, and even outdoor cats, you can help keep mole populations in check. Installing an owl box can encourage nighttime patrols.
Install underground barriers: When planting new flower beds or vegetable gardens, line the area with hardware cloth 24 inches deep to prevent tunneling under roots and bulbs.
Maintain drier soil conditions: Overwatering attracts moles by boosting worm and grub activity. Water deeply but infrequently to make your lawn less inviting.
Repairing Mole Damage
Once the moles have moved on, a little lawn TLC will restore your landscape in no time.
To fix mole damage:
- Flatten raised tunnels: Step gently or roll over mounded areas to collapse air pockets and stabilize soil.
- Top-dress and reseed: Add a thin layer of compost or topsoil, followed by reseeding bare patches with the same grass variety.
- Water lightly: Keep the soil moist until new growth appears.
- Aerate deeply: If tunneling has compacted certain areas, aerate your lawn to restore airflow and drainage.
- Add organic matter: Compost, leaf mold, or humus will replenish soil disturbed by tunneling activity, and improve long-term soil health.
Eco-Friendly Mole Deterrent Ideas
If you prefer a natural, low-maintenance, low-impact approach, these options help keep moles out while staying wildlife-friendly:
- Plant deterrent borders: Moles dislike the roots of Daffodils, Alliums, and Castor Bean Plants. Create a floral border around garden edges.
- Apply castor oil granules: Spread over the lawn and water in thoroughly.
- Use sonic repellents: These create vibrations underground without chemicals.
- Encourage biodiversity: A healthy ecosystem balances itself; more birds and beneficial insects mean fewer grubs to tempt moles.
In the End: Let’s Give Moles the Boot - Kindly!
While those little tunnel-makers might ruffle your garden’s surface, moles are simply following Ma Nature’s instincts to balance the underground world. By using humane deterrents, careful soil management, and patience, you can keep your garden mole-free while still respecting their role in the environment.
Happy Planting!
