How to get rid of moles in the yard
Moles eat grubs and earthworms, not your plants — but their tunnels destroy lawns. Trapping in an active tunnel is the only consistently effective method. Repellents and grub control help, but trapping is what actually clears a mole.
Tools
- ✓For collapsing tunnel sections to identify active runs.
- ✓For locating tunnel runs to set traps.
Materials
- +The scissor-style trap pros use. Sets inside the tunnel — nothing visible above ground, safe around pets.
- +Harpoon-style alternative. Slightly easier to set, more visible above ground.
- +Castor oil based. Pushes moles to neighboring yards — doesn't kill them. Pair with trapping.
- +Apply in late spring/early summer. Killing their food supply over 1–2 seasons makes the yard unattractive long-term.
Steps
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1
Identify active tunnels
Step on a section of every visible tunnel ridge to flatten it. Check back in 24 hours — the ones rebuilt overnight are active. Inactive tunnels are wasted trap placements.
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2
Locate the tunnel precisely
Along an active run, gently push a probe into the soil until you feel a sudden drop — that's the tunnel ceiling. Mark with a flag.
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3
Set the scissor trap in the tunnel
Dig out a small section of tunnel, set the trap per the (very clear) instructions, lower into place. The trap fires when a mole pushes through the obstruction.
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4
Check daily
Set one trap per active run. A single mole can build extensive tunnels — usually 1–3 moles total in an entire yard. Trapping all of them takes 5–14 days.
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5
Treat for grubs to discourage return
Apply Scotts GrubEx in late May or early June. Reduces the mole food supply for 1–2 seasons. Combined with trapping, makes long-term recurrence rare.
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6
Use repellent granules at the property line
Apply castor-oil granules along the property edge after trapping. Helps prevent new moles from migrating in.