How do you catch a mole at home?

Moles can be a nuisance in yards and gardens, as they make unsightly holes and ridges across lawns and flowerbeds while burrowing for grubs and worms. While moles don’t eat plant roots like voles and gophers do, their tunneling activities can still damage plants and make yards uneven and hazardous to walk on. If you have moles invading your property, you may want to get rid of them. Here are some tips on how to catch a mole at home.

What do moles look like?

Moles are small, mouse-like mammals 6 to 8 inches long with dark, velvety fur. They have a long, pointed snout, small eyes and ears, wide front feet specialized for digging, and short tails. Eastern moles have a distinct pink nose and toes, while star-nosed moles have a bizarre star-shaped structure of fleshy tentacles on their snout to feel for prey.

Some key identifying traits of moles include:

About 6 to 8 inches long
Velvety, dark brown or gray fur
Long, pointed snout

Small eyes and ears
Wide front feet with large claws for digging
Short, stubby tail

How can you tell if you have moles?

Telltale signs of a mole invasion in your yard include:

Mounds of dirt that form while moles tunnel just below the surface.
Raised ridges across your lawn where moles create deeper tunnels.

Sinks or dips forming in your yard as tunnels collapse beneath.
Visible surface tunnels running through grass or garden beds.

Moles create new tunnels every day in search of food, so new mounds and ridges may appear daily. Their tunnels form complex underground networks with a main burrow used for nesting and resting, and many feeding tunnels reaching out in search of insects like grubs.

Should you get rid of moles?

Moles do provide some benefits. Their extensive tunneling helps aerate soil and bring nutrients deeper in the ground where plant roots can access them. But the damage they cause usually outweighs any perks.

Controlling moles involves an ongoing effort, as new ones can always invade from neighboring properties. But ridding your yard of them at least provides temporary relief. There are several humane mole traps and repellents you can try at home before resorting to lethal options.

How to catch a mole

Here are some common ways to trap moles:

Scissor mole traps

Scissor-jawed traps designed specifically for moles are one of the most effective trapping methods. Their sharp jaws clamp down to kill moles quickly when triggered as they pass through the tunnel. Place traps in active tunnels you identify by flattened grass. Secure the traps so they don’t flip over if the mole struggles.

Box-type mole traps

Box-style traps have a spring-loaded mechanism that drops a bar down to trap the mole when it disturbs the trigger plate inside. Bury the traps in main tunnels, leaving the trigger plate level with the ground. This trap doesn’t kill moles, so you’ll need to relocate or euthanize the captives.

Harpoon traps

Harpoon style traps spear moles as they pass through the tunnel, killing them instantly. Place them in main tunnels identified by raised ridges. Anchor the support rods securely or the trap may twist when triggered.

Choker-loop traps

Choker loop traps use a cable loop that tightens around a mole as it passes through. Position them in tunnels and stake down the base. The noose doesn’t always kill moles, so release may be needed.

Bucket traps

Bury a bucket in the ground to allow moles access via tunnels. Place bait inside to lure them. Add some water and detergent to drown moles that fall in. This trap requires frequent checking.

For best success, set multiple traps at once to cover more tunnels. Position traps in main runways or intersections for highest activity. Secure traps firmly in the ground and flush with the surface. Check frequently and replace traps that get repeatedly tripped or filled with dirt.

Mole traps: Beginner’s guide

If you’re new to mole trapping, follow this starter guide for success:

Identify main tunnels – Look for raised ridges and flattened grass over frequently used runways. Probe these areas with a stick to find the widest tunnels about 2-3 inches below ground.
Choose quality traps – Buy sturdy, stainless steel traps made for moles to ensure effective catches. Scissor-jaw and harpoon styles are good starter options.

Set traps correctly – Place traps snugly in main tunnels with triggers centered in the runway path. Stake down traps so they stay put when triggered.
Secure traps well – Use landscape staples or wire to firmly anchor traps in place at the right depth. Don’t let them wiggle loose or get forced upward.
Check often – Monitor traps daily and reset ones that get filled with dirt or frequently triggered with no catch. Relocate traps to new areas if needed.

With practice identifying runways and setting traps securely, you can become proficient at trapping moles in your yard.

How to get rid of moles naturally

If you want to deter moles without trapping, try these natural home remedies:

Repellent plants

Planting mole-repelling plants may discourage them from tunneling. Strong-smelling options include:

Castor bean plants
Garlic
Onions

Daffodils

Interplant these throughout your garden and yard, especially near susceptible plants.

Chewed gum

Some claim placing chewed gum sticks into mole tunnels repels them with the odd scent and texture. Try biodegradable natural gum options to avoid littering plastic.

Vibration devices

Sticking wind chimes, vibrational stakes, or other objects that create movement and noise may scare moles away. Place them around your yard 10-20 feet apart.

Mole repellent granules

Apply mole granules made with castor oil, garlic oil, or other natural irritants. Follow package directions to distribute them in tunnels and moisten to activate the strong scent.

Juicy fruit

Some people report success placing halved citrus fruits like oranges, grapefruit, and lemons into mole tunnels. The juice burns their skin on contact.

Predator urine

The scent of predator urine, such as coyote or fox, may deter moles. Drench cotton balls in the urine and place them in tunnels.

For best results, combine several natural remedies together to make your yard as unpleasant for moles as possible.

When to call a professional exterminator

If DIY home remedies fail to effectively evict moles, you may need to call in a professional exterminator, especially if you have an extensive infestation. Exterminators have industrial-strength traps and lethal gas fumigants not available to consumers.

Signs it’s time to call a pro include:

Tunnels and mounds spanning a large area
Multiple moles caught with no decrease in activity

Moles invading from neighboring yards
Extensive damage to lawn, plants, or flowerbeds
Hazards posed by tunnels collapsing

Look for an exterminator who specializes in humane mole removal. Be prepared to pay more for effective fumigation treatments.

Mole removal cost

Professional mole control costs $100 to $500 depending on the size of your property. Typical average costs are:

Small yard treatment (under 1/4 acre) – $100 – $200

Medium yard treatment (1/4 – 1/2 acre) – $200 – $300
Large yard treatment (over 1/2 acre) – $300 – $500

Fumigation to kill moles in tunnels quickly costs more than trapping. Baiting, which takes longer, is cheaper. Extra charges may apply for repeat visits if moles return.

How long does it take to get rid of moles?

With diligent trapping or repelling, most moles can be evicted within 2 to 3 weeks. Harder infestations may take a month or longer. It takes patience! Persist daily with traps in main tunnels or replenishing repellents until all signs of new activity stop.

Professional fumigation kills moles faster, within a few days. But you need to remove dead moles so new ones don’t move into abandoned tunnels. Follow up monthly to ensure moles don’t return.

Mole removal tips and tricks

Follow these pro mole-busting tips for better success:

Act early – At first signs of moles, start trapping or repelling before tunnels expand.
Find main runways – Focus traps and repellents on frequently used main tunnels.
Use multiple traps – Have at least 2-3 traps set at once to cover more ground.

Check traps often – Visit traps morning and night to remove catches and reset triggers.
Repellents need reapplication – Reapply castor oil, gum, and other repellents after rain or every 2 weeks.
Be patient – It may take 2-3 weeks of persistence to fully evict moles.

Conclusion

Catching moles at home involves careful tunnel identification and properly placed traps. Natural repellents also work well but require diligent reapplication. Call in a professional exterminator if you have an extensive infestation you can’t resolve yourself. With daily effort and strategic tunnel trapping, you can reclaim your yard from destructive moles.