Q&A for How to Get Rid of Moles in Your Lawn

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  • Question
    Is the castor oil mixture for getting rid of moles safe for my dogs?
    Anthony "TC" Williams
    Experienced Landscaper
    Anthony "TC" Williams is a Professional Landscaper in Idaho. He is the President and Founder of Aqua Conservation Landscape & Irrigation, an Idaho Registered Landscape Business Entity. With over 21 years of landscaping experience, TC has worked on projects such as the Idaho Botanical Garden in Boise, Idaho. He is a Idaho Registered Contractor and a previously Licensed Irrigator in the State of Texas.
    Experienced Landscaper
    Expert Answer
    It may make them ill if they ingest a lot of it, but it is non-toxic for the most part.
  • Question
    Does the castor oil/soap mixture have any harmful effects on free range chickens?
    Anthony "TC" Williams
    Experienced Landscaper
    Anthony "TC" Williams is a Professional Landscaper in Idaho. He is the President and Founder of Aqua Conservation Landscape & Irrigation, an Idaho Registered Landscape Business Entity. With over 21 years of landscaping experience, TC has worked on projects such as the Idaho Botanical Garden in Boise, Idaho. He is a Idaho Registered Contractor and a previously Licensed Irrigator in the State of Texas.
    Experienced Landscaper
    Expert Answer
    The castor oil/soap mixture mixture should not have any harmful effects on free range chickens.
  • Question
    How large is a ground mole?
    Anthony "TC" Williams
    Experienced Landscaper
    Anthony "TC" Williams is a Professional Landscaper in Idaho. He is the President and Founder of Aqua Conservation Landscape & Irrigation, an Idaho Registered Landscape Business Entity. With over 21 years of landscaping experience, TC has worked on projects such as the Idaho Botanical Garden in Boise, Idaho. He is a Idaho Registered Contractor and a previously Licensed Irrigator in the State of Texas.
    Experienced Landscaper
    Expert Answer
    Ground moles are fairly small. They are usually 6 to 8 inches long and 3 inches wide. They have very limited sight.
  • Question
    How to set an ample trap?
    Anthony "TC" Williams
    Experienced Landscaper
    Anthony "TC" Williams is a Professional Landscaper in Idaho. He is the President and Founder of Aqua Conservation Landscape & Irrigation, an Idaho Registered Landscape Business Entity. With over 21 years of landscaping experience, TC has worked on projects such as the Idaho Botanical Garden in Boise, Idaho. He is a Idaho Registered Contractor and a previously Licensed Irrigator in the State of Texas.
    Experienced Landscaper
    Expert Answer
    Moles, while very poor sighted are drawn to light sources to go push dirt to block it off. The key is to carefully bury the trap well and follow the directions for it. It will take a few attempts on your part to "learn the ropes," but stay at it.
  • Question
    Will Juicy Fruit gum get rid of moles?
    Community Answer
    Not sure about Juicy Fruit, but I have been told Double Bubble gum is used by the old timers.
  • Question
    Do moles hibernate?
    Community Answer
    No; they just go deeper down where it is warmer and they can find worms and other food.
  • Question
    How many moles stay together in a lawn?
    Community Answer
    Usually one per acre. There is a breeding season, but mainly they remain solitary.
  • Question
    Is the castor oil mixture harmful to dogs?
    Community Answer
    The mixture may cause stomach issues in dogs if they eat it.
  • Question
    Can snakes eat moles?
    Community Answer
    Yes. Snakes can eat moles; however, it is not recommended as it may cause problems.
  • Question
    What to do with my lawn after getting rid of moles?
    Community Answer
    Rent a tiller and turn over the ground to eliminate most of the remaining tunnels and hopefully get rid of any moles that may have survived.
  • Question
    Do moth balls work to get rid of moles?
    Community Answer
    You can drop them in every month, but they just move a couple of inches away.
  • Question
    Do calcium carbide rocks get rid of moles?
    Community Answer
    Calcium carbide when in contact with water forms acetylene gas, which is very flammable, so I don't recommend you use this.
  • Question
    How do I get rid of a mole in my vegetable garden?
    Community Answer
    Follow the instructions in the article listed above.
  • Question
    Will spreading lime get rid of moles and gophers?
    Community Answer
    Yes, I have done and it seems to work fine. It's also good for your lawn. It takes about 100 lbs per acre.
  • Question
    Will mothballs kill moles?
    Community Answer
    It may repel them, if sprinkled in pieces in the holes, but will likely not kill them.
  • Question
    Does the stack solar emitters sold online work to get rid of moles?
    Community Answer
    Sometimes. I have four in my backyard, and in the beginning they worked great, but I feel like over time they've gotten used to the sound, because I have more moles in my yard now.
  • Question
    Can I drown the moles by running a water hose in their tunnel?
    Community Answer
    Hasn’t worked for me, I’ve tried that several times. Gopher gassers work, but it’s hit-or-miss.
  • Question
    Do moles dig tunnels in mulch beds?
    Community Answer
    Yes, they have dug tunnels in my mulch bed, but on the edges of it. I have about 4" of mulch, and there is no barrier between the bed and yard.
  • Question
    Does castor oil and dish soap work when getting rid of moles?
    Community Answer
    Dish soap is only a surfactant that allows the water/castor oil mixture to emulsify. I sprayed 2 gallons of castor oil on my half acre (24 gallons of water, and 12 oz. of dish detergent with the 2 gallons of castor oil). I followed up two weeks later with a granular castor oil preparation, and sonic "repellers." None of these products did any good on my property, even after spending over $600 on the products and materials.
  • Question
    Do the 15 minute flares in the tunnel work to kill the moles?
    Community Answer
    This is not a great idea. There is a chance the flare could explode, which could do damage to your property or a neighbor's.
  • Question
    Is there anything else that I can use instead of castor oil?
    Joe Dohn
    Community Answer
    You can use mole traps or mouse traps. Use something that forces moles to come to the mouse trap. I would recommend snap traps.
  • Question
    If I use insecticide to kill grubs, will it drive moles away?
    Community Answer
    If there are no other insects in your yard that moles eat, then yes, they can leave.
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