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Just when you have planted a beautiful lawn, you notice lawn ridges that ruin your picturesque setting. Although moles can be good for your lawn by aerating the dirt and eating larvae of destructive insects, they can also kill the grass around the ridges. It isn’t necessary to go aggressive on these moles. There are plenty of effective methods you can use to get rid of moles.
1. Find an active tunnel
If you are going to rid your yard, you’ll need to learn which tunnels these moles use. Cover the nearest molehill to you and wait a day or two. If the molehill has been uncovered then there’s a good chance that the mole is actively using it.
2. Use a mole specific trap
These traps tend to be the most effective method of ridding your yard from moles. You can purchase these traps online or at your nearest hardware/home center. These will typically be spring loaded traps that will require you to assemble and set up in an active tunnel. Look into these popular types of mole traps: lure traps, circular rodent traps, loop choking style traps.
3. Gas the moles
Unless you are a trained professional, you should not use any type of gassing agent other than dry ice. You should also avoid using anything that becomes poisonous when it comes into contact with water. These can be very dangerous, and even fatal. If you do decide to use a gassing agent, you’ll need to be extremely careful. If you successfully gas a major nest or repeat gassing them, you should have positive results.
4. Trick the moles with bait
Lots of traps don’t require bait, but you can always better your chances by luring the mole to you. Some baits are poisonous to the mole. Other baits you could acquire easier like earthworms.
5. Plant vegetative barriers
Certain plants can deter moles from occupying your lawn. You can plant plants like daffodils, marigolds, alliums, and fritillarias. Castor bean plants are also a known mole deterrent, but they are also poisonous.
6. Create your own mole repellant
You can create a mixture using castor oil, which can be found in most health sections of your grocery store, and dish soap. Mix 6 ounces of castor oil with 2 tablespoons of dish soap in one gallon of water to create a concentrate. Apply to the lawn periodically, and be sure to reapply after it rains.
7. Attract mole predators
This can be an effective, hands-off solution. Owls are natural predators to moles and you can attract them to your yard by building or buying a nest box. Nest boxes look like large bird house that attaches to a tree high off the ground.
