Moles can turn a beautiful lawn into a bumpy mess almost overnight. While these underground critters are actually beneficial to the soil, their constant tunneling can damage grass, plant roots, and ruin your yard’s appearance. If you’re looking to solve the problem without using chemicals or traps, here’s how to get rid of moles in your yard naturally — and keep them away.
1. Understand What Attracts Moles
Moles are not after your plants — they’re after grubs, earthworms, and insects. If your yard is rich in soil life, it’s mole heaven. Reducing their food source is the first step.
2. Use Castor Oil Repellent
One of the most effective natural mole deterrents is castor oil. It doesn’t kill moles but irritates their digestive system and makes your lawn less appealing.
DIY Castor Oil Spray:
Mix 3 tablespoons of castor oil with 1 tablespoon of dish soap in 1 gallon of water. Spray over mole-infested areas, especially around fresh tunnels. Repeat every few days or after rain.
3. Plant Natural Repellents
Certain plants naturally deter moles with their strong scent or taste, such as marigolds, daffodils, alliums (ornamental onions), and the castor bean plant (note: toxic to pets and humans, use with caution). Plant them along garden borders or near tunnel entrances.
4. Use Vibrations or Noise
Moles dislike ground vibrations and noise. You can try solar-powered mole spikes that emit buzzing sounds underground, wind-powered pinwheels that vibrate through the soil, or even bury empty bottles neck-down to create whistling sounds in the wind.
5. Apply Coffee Grounds
Used coffee grounds can be sprinkled into mole tunnels. The smell is unpleasant for moles, and it’s also good for your soil — a double win.
6. Let Your Pets Help
Dogs love to dig — why not let them scare off the moles? The scent and activity of a dog or even a cat can discourage moles from sticking around.
7. Remove Their Food Source
Since moles love grubs and insects, consider applying beneficial nematodes or milky spore — natural treatments that reduce grub populations without chemicals.
8. Create Barriers
For garden beds, dig a trench around the area and line it with hardware cloth or wire mesh. This physical barrier can prevent moles from entering specific zones.
9. Water Less Frequently
Overwatered lawns attract more worms and grubs — a mole buffet. Water deeply but less often to dry out the upper soil layers and reduce mole activity.
Moles are part of the natural ecosystem, but they don’t have to ruin your yard. With a combination of natural repellents, deterrents, and smart landscaping practices, you can protect your lawn while keeping things eco-friendly. Be patient — it may take time, but consistent effort pays off.
