We research in-depth and provide unbiased reviews and recommendations on the best products. We strive to give you the most accurate information. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.
Many home remedies for getting rid of moles don’t work. Dried blood, tobacco, coffee grounds, and powdered red pepper may cause moles to flee. Trying gum, human air, or ammonia will not control moles, which are insectivores. Moles won’t eat nuts, either, so you might want to try other methods, such as making a homemade thumper with bleach bottle fins and a stick.
Trapping
Taking steps to catch moles is very similar to how to catch gophers, but moles are more difficult to trap. You should first feel for any tunnels before you try to trap them. It is important to understand what goes on underground and who you are dealing with. You should have a strong odor or even a noise machine to lure them out of their tunnels. Here are some tips to help you successfully trap moles.
The first thing you should do is determine where the active tunnel is located in your yard. The active tunnel should be relatively straight, so you can set the trap on that spot. Then, cover the trap with soil patches so moles won’t suspect it. Once they fall inside the trap, use the hair trigger to catch them alive. Alternatively, use a harpoon or scissor claw trap. Whatever trap you decide to use, make sure to release the moles far enough away from your home to avoid any fear of harm.
Then, place a small bridge or digging a couple of holes on the ground. Next, position the trap jaws over the path that the moles travel. Afterwards, put leaves over the tong mechanism to keep the mole out. Do not forget to mark the trap with bright sticks, as moles tend to re-emerge after a short while. Ideally, you should trap up to three moles a day, but this method isn’t effective if you’re unable to catch one.
Another way to catch a mole is by flushing it out of its tunnel. This technique has been successful in a handful of cases. Make sure you are not in a tunnel when flushing, because moles can escape through the tunnel. And remember, moles can also be attracted to other rodents and herbivores if they have a place to stay. This is the only way to catch a mole safely and humanely.
Non-lethal sprays
There are several ways to kill moles without using lethal products. While the most common method involves poison, other non-lethal options are available. Some sprays contain zinc phosphide, a poison only available to professional pest control experts. Mole traps are another option. These traps are useful for smaller infestations, but may be too traumatic for people who have strong aversions to moles.
Another method is digging them out. Moles tend to live mostly underground. They can tolerate carbon dioxide well in the underground world, and come out only when they need to mate. When moles live in a single area, they can create as much as 150 feet of tunnels a day. The best way to remove them is to keep the area free of food and water. While moles are not typically aggressive, if you are suspicious of them, try using a non-lethal spray to get rid of them.
A third method is using odor repellents. These can be effective in repelling moles from a small area, but are ineffective for large areas. The natural odors of these sprays will break down into nitrogen-rich fertilizer for bedding plants, and will not harm people or pets. Using these sprays on large areas will make moles flee, but they won’t be able to reach the area they are causing damage.
Moles are not serious disease vectors. However, they can carry various parasites, such as Lyme disease. It’s best to avoid touching moles or trapping them as they may be infected with these parasites. In addition to rabies, they may carry parasites. Therefore, mole trapping should be avoided. If the trap is a viable option, it can also kill other pests, such as rabbits and foxes.
Ultrasonic spikes
While there are many ways to get rid of moles, ultrasonic spikes are among the least effective. These devices, which are solar-powered and are intended to emit ultrasonic waves, are often ineffective. Despite their impressive claims, research on the effectiveness of these devices is inconclusive. Fortunately, there are other alternatives. These devices can be used to deter moles from entering your garden, including installing mole-specific traps.
Another way to get rid of moles is to install solar-powered mole repellers. These devices emit ultrasonic sound waves at intervals of 30 seconds. This is completely non-toxic to humans, and the units are safe for children and pets. They also repel a number of other rodents, insects, and snakes. Once installed, the moles are likely to move out, and your outdoor efforts will be safe.
Sweeney’s mole spikes can cover an area of 7,500 square feet. The devices emit sonic pulses every 30 seconds and operate in a 95-foot circle. They are rechargeable and work for months. It is recommended to place them in a sunny spot, as they are weatherproof. They start producing results within seven to 14 days. In addition, you can use them year-round.
Other methods include using granular or liquid mole repellents or sprinkling certain substances around your property. Mole repellents are safe for children and pets. In addition to using ultrasonic spikes, you can also try sprinkling substances around your yard, such as coffee grounds, cat litter, and even the ground. You may want to consider these alternatives as your primary method of getting rid of moles.
Baits
Some people choose to use baits to get rid of moles, while others prefer more natural approaches. These folk remedies can do more harm than good, and the products can have adverse effects on people or the environment. When using baits to get rid of moles, it is important to cover the holes after applying the product. Mole poisons can transfer to fertile soil layers and harm plants and soil. Use gloves when handling these products to minimize chemical exposure and increase product success.
Another method is to place the bait over active mole tunnels. Place the bait over tunnels that the moles regularly use. The tunnels must be straight, so the baits must be placed over these. Moles seem to like this type of bait, so placing the baits above these areas can help you get rid of the moles. This method may not be ideal for every yard, but it’s an effective way to get rid of moles quickly.
Baits to get rid of moles are available at various lawn and garden stores. They are similar to earthworms, but are tainted with lethal bromethalin. Mole traps work best in spring and fall, when the moles are most active. Mole trapping during these times will also eliminate female moles that are pregnant. They will die in their tunnels within 12-24 hours.
Poison-based baits are also an option. A bait called Talpirid will kill moles in 24 hours. This product has to be placed in the main tunnel, since moles use this line multiple times a day, while the branch lines may only be used a single time. A follow-up service is necessary to assess the effectiveness of the product. If the baits fail to remove the moles, you’ll need to purchase another one.
Trapping is the most reliable way to get rid of moles
Despite the fact that trapping is more effective, you should take proper precautions before you start trapping moles. Moles are able to detect human scent, which makes it a good idea to wear gloves when handling the trap. While it is not advisable to kill moles, they may die inside the trap if not properly handled. Using the right tools and avoiding using odorous materials are the best ways to get rid of moles.
You can use shovels to trap moles, which you can relocate to a field far away from your property. If you are not comfortable with being close to moles, it is best to hire an experienced exterminator. Moles can be very resistant to traps, so you should always use caution. Moreover, moles may move from place to place, so you should never attempt to remove them by yourself.
Another option is to use a humane trap, which is a hollow pipe with movable doors on both sides. It is important to remember that a humane trap will not kill the mole, and it will be released at another location. Experts recommend catching the moles as early as possible, since moles can cause considerable damage to plants. And even if you do catch them early, it can still lead to extensive damage.
Moles are attracted to sweet things, such as grubs, so it’s important to remove these as they are a common food source for moles. If you can’t get rid of them with these methods, you can also try putting baits in their tunnels. Moles love grubs, so if you can eliminate their sources of food, they’ll relocate to a new location. If the moles continue to move around, you can use beneficial nematodes and milky spore to control the population.
