Ways You're Attracting Unwanted Moles To Your Yard

Moles are fascinating creatures, but not when they turn your yard into their personal play area. These subterranean animals spend their lives in tunnel systems they dig underground. As any gardener would tell you, a mole's dream home involves certain non-negotiables: a steady supply of food, moisture-rich soil, and an accommodating landscape. For food, moles have a particular appetite for what many consider "pests" themselves: lawn insects, grubs, and earthworms. Astonishingly, they consume nearly their body weight daily. With such a voracious appetite, it's clear that if your lawn is a haven for these insects, it will inevitably attract unwanted moles.

In terms of lifestyle, moles are far from nocturnal couch potatoes. They're busy throughout the day, tirelessly improving their underground residences. You'll find moles making themselves at home in any place with diggable soil—whether it's a grassy field, your own garden, or even bustling urban locations. While they steer clear of acidic soils and mountain terrain, they thrive in damp conditions. Wet soil makes it a breeze for them to tunnel and is crucial for keeping their body temperature in check. So, if you've been a bit too generous with your sprinkler system or find your lawn is often soggy, especially in places where dryness is the norm, your yard probably seems like an oasis to these burrowing animals. Understanding the mole's natural preferences for habitat helps you recognize what might be drawing them into your yard in the first place. You can then alter key elements to deter moles from your yard and make it less inviting.

If you want to turn your yard into a no-mole zone, start by cutting off their food supply first. Pesticides can control these insects, but if you're uncomfortable using chemicals, you can also choose biological solutions. Nematodes, for instance, are effective at killing grubs and are safe for your lawn and garden. You can purchase nematodes from garden centers or online stores. Apply them as directed for the best results. Another strategy to limit food availability is to practice good lawn hygiene. Regularly mow and rake away leaves and organic debris to make your lawn less inviting for the insects that moles feed on. Fewer insects mean less interest from moles. It's an effective and environmentally friendly way to address the root of the problem.

But as mentioned earlier, food isn't the only thing attracting moles to your yard; water also plays a significant role. Most lawns only require about one inch of water per week from rainfall or supplementary watering. Stick to this guideline to maintain a healthy lawn without making it a mole magnet. Overwatering isn't just bad for your utility bill; it also attracts moles. Consider installing a rain gauge to monitor natural water levels and adjust your watering schedule accordingly. Modern irrigation systems even have sensors that detect soil moisture and automatically adjust the watering cycles, effectively preventing overwatering.

Moles have an uncanny knack for seamlessly integrating their tunnels into your landscape. For them, your well-laid fences, walkways, and plant beds aren't just aesthetic features; they're guidelines for their own underground construction projects. You'll often find that moles prefer to dig their main tunnels alongside these established lines. In addition, they are known to tunnel under shrubs, trees, and plant beds specifically to feast on the insects usually found in these root zones.

So, how can you shake things up and make your yard less attractive? One tactic is repositioning some of your yard's features. And for those spots where moles can't resist digging, why not go the extra mile and put in some underground barriers? Here's a hands-on solution: Grab a shovel and carve out a trench around 24 inches deep and half a foot wide. Once you've got that trench in place, toss some rocks or lay down some wire mesh. While this approach requires considerable effort, it is a long-lasting solution.

Now, if you've tried the above strategies and still find that moles are persistent, you have another card up your sleeve: odor repellents. You can plant marigolds, a low-maintenance flower that deters moles, or purchase mole-repellent products that contain castor oil, a substance that's highly off-putting to them. Note that this isn't a one-time application. Moles are stubborn, and you'll likely need to reapply the repellent monthly, particularly if you notice continued mole activity.