How to get rid of moles on your property: proven methods

Reasons for the appearance of moles

Moles eat a lot and can die within 24 hours if they stop feeding. Although they are usually solitary creatures, they can also live in family groups, so they can dig underground tunnels several hundred meters long under a garden in just a few days. Mole burrows are not only located parallel to the ground surface. The nesting site, where females breed, is usually located at a depth of 1.5–2 meters.

These tiny creatures cannot survive in areas without food and water. Earthworms are considered moles' primary food source. They are abundant in fields where organic farming is practiced. People regularly fertilize and water their vegetable and garden plants, making the soil fertile and creating optimal conditions for worm nesting. Moles appear in areas where there are many earthworms. Nearby rivers and other springs are another reason for their appearance.

Where do moles live and what do they eat?

These mammals can be found in North America and Eurasia. They live in Belarus, Ukraine, Poland, and Russia.

These animals spend most of their lives underground, so their eyesight is poor. Moles prefer areas with moderate climates and moist soil. Despite their small size, they are quite voracious eaters.
It feeds primarily on earthworms and even stores them for the winter. Its diet also includes caterpillars, flies, slugs, and beetle larvae. If a mole is forced to fast for 16 hours, it can even die of starvation.

What harm can moles cause?

With their numerous burrows, these mammals cause serious damage to cultivated plants.

1. Moles' underground tunnels are located in the upper layers of soil and often pass between the roots and trunks of trees and plants. As a result, the roots become trapped in the tunnel or are pushed to the surface, causing them to dry out.
2. The black animal processes the soil, mixing the highly fertile surface with the poor deep soil.
3. This mammal also feeds on earthworms, which destroy harmful microorganisms. As a result, the worm population declines sharply, and the soil in the area becomes depleted over time.
4. Moles' insatiable activity creates mounds of earth on the property. The uneven surface makes it difficult to use specialized equipment and agricultural machinery.
5. Subsequently, various field rodents such as rats and mice can use the prepared mole tunnels.
6. In addition, moles can carry dangerous infectious diseases and harmful insects.

Fighting moles in the garden

Some gardeners, upon discovering mounds of moles, don't know how to get rid of them. There are many proven and effective control methods that can be used successfully.

Ultrasonic repellers

Small devices that emit ultrasonic pulses are available for purchase at the store. While these vibrations and sounds have no effect on humans, moles are irritated and quickly leave the area.

Ultrasonic devices should only be used in dry weather.

Sulfur checker

You can smoke the animals out of their burrows using sulfur candles. When burned, these devices emit sulfur dioxide gas with a pungent, unpleasant odor that irritates the animals' respiratory tract.

Traps

Getting rid of these grey animals is not difficult; you just need to make simple traps.

1. Three-liter jar. The hole is dug up slightly, the container is placed underground, and the opening is left exposed. Soil is added to the bottom of the jar, and worms are placed as bait. The trap is covered with slate, forming a makeshift "house." The mole falls in and can't escape.
   

   You cannot use a metal container because the animals cannot stand the smell of metal.

2. Plastic bottle. The neck and bottom of a two-liter container are cut off. "Valves" made from the necks of other bottles are inserted, pointing them toward the center of the main one. The necks are cut lengthwise into petals approximately 1 cm wide. The animal can easily fit inside, with the petals bending back. However, it will not be able to escape, as the valve does not open the other way. The trap is placed in the mole's burrow and covered with a thick material.

Barriers

To keep predators out of their plots, some gardeners enclose the perimeter with a special protective barrier. Slate, thick linoleum, or fine-mesh metal mesh are used as a fence.

The material should be dug into the ground to a depth of at least 50 cm. Part of the fence should protrude above the ground by approximately 40 cm to prevent the animals from crossing the obstacle on the surface.

Traditional methods

To combat small animals in their gardens, many gardeners use simple folk methods.

Repulsive odors

Moles have a highly developed olfactory system, so they can be driven away by using unpleasant odors.

Any spoiled food with a strong odor is used for this purpose. Some gardeners use herring for this purpose. They wrap the fish heads in paper, dig a hole, and place the package underneath. The product rots and begins to emit an unpleasant odor.

Plants against moles

Some flowering plants and herbs have a pungent aroma that this animal cannot tolerate. By planting such crops in their garden, gardeners will get rid of these uninvited "guests."
Strong smelling crops:

• narcissus;
• Melissa;
• garlic;
• marigold;
• onion.

Marigolds are usually planted along the borders of the plot, and garlic and onions along the edges of the beds.

Castor oil

Some gardeners use castor oil to control garden moles. The unpleasant odor discourages the animals from infesting the area.
You can use granulated oil. To do this, water the area around the mounds of soil with clean liquid. Then, place the granules on the moistened soil and water them.

Mix liquid castor oil (200 ml) with liquid soap (3 tablespoons). Before use, dilute the mixture with water at a ratio of 80 ml to 10 liters of water. Use the resulting mixture periodically for watering the soil.

Flooding of passages

An equally effective method for driving out moles is flooding underground passages. To do this, dig up the entrance, lower a hose inside, and pump water in.

Safe Natural Mole Remedies

Mole control on your property can be accomplished with a safe concentrate from Dr. Klaus. This product acts quickly and effectively. It is harmless to pets and people. It's also easy to use, requiring no mixing or dilution.

Preventing moles from appearing on your property

After getting rid of the pest, it is essential to take preventative measures to prevent the animal from appearing on the property again.

1. Plant grass and flowers around the edges that emit a scent that repels moles.
2. Dig a metal mesh with small cells around the perimeter of the area to a depth of at least 50 cm, with an outlet to the surface of 40 cm.
3. Instead of a net, you can fence the area using slate or roofing felt.

What to do with soil dug up by moles

Mole hole soil shouldn't be thrown away; it should be used to cover the roots of shrubs, fruit trees, and perennials. However, if there's any excess soil, it can be used as a planting medium.

1. Firstly, such soil does not contain weed seeds.
2. Secondly, this soil has properties that promote the germination of seeds.

Therefore, many gardeners collect soil from molehills in August or early autumn to use it later when planting seedlings.