Key Points
Use castor oil, coffee grounds, or garlic and chili pepper spray to deter moles.Flooding mole tunnels is temporary and best when combined with other deterrents.A long-term solution is to attract moles’ predators—such as owls—to your yard.
Having moles (which are different from voles) in your yard has a few pros but mostly cons. These small mammals feed on pests like grubs, but the tunnels moles burrow in lawns make them unwelcome guests to most gardeners and homeowners.
To get rid of moles, there is no need to reach for chemical poisons—there are plenty of natural ways to deter moles. We talked to an expert who shared seven methods for effective mole control.
Meet the Expert
Lori Johnson is the president of The Grounds Guys, a nationwide landscaping and lawn care services company.
Castor Oil
Castor oil irritates the digestive system of the moles and makes the soil less inviting to them.
“[It] is a common, natural way many people use to keep moles away from their yard,“ says lawn expert Lori Johnson.
As a recipe, she recommends mixing three parts castor oil and one part dish soap. 4 tablespoons of this mixture are added to a gallon of water and sprayed in areas where moles appear to be active.
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Mole-Repelling Plants
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paulmaguire / Getty Images
By selecting the right plants, you can already make your yard less inviting to moles.
“Some plants naturally discourage moles because of the scent they have in their aboveground parts or root structure. Planting them around your yard may help you keep moles away,” says Johnson.
As examples, she lists alliums such as garlic and onions, marigolds, daffodils, and fritillarias.
Coffee Grounds
Another common remedy to deter moles is coffee grounds.
“Moles have sensitive noses; they dislike the smell of coffee and don’t like the slight acidity the grounds add to the yard,” Johnson says.
All you need to do is sprinkle used coffee grounds around mole tunnels and around your yard. Coffee grounds are also beneficial for the soil and can help repel other pests. One thing to keep in mind is that the deterrent effect of coffee grounds may be more temporary than other methods.
No Grounds, No Worries
If you aren’t a serious coffee drinker, Johnson suggests asking your local coffee shop—they often give spent coffee grounds away for free.
Garlic and Chili Pepper Spray
Coffee grounds are not the only smell deterrent you can use on moles; homemade sprays containing garlic and chili peppers will also drive moles away. To follow Johnson’s formula, blend a few garlic cloves and chili peppers with water, strain the mixture, and then spray it directly into mole tunnels.
Vibrations or Moving Objects
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Theresa Donahue Mcmanus / Getty Images
According to Johnson, moles tend to be sensitive to vibrations in the ground; the movements make them feel threatened. She suggests placing wind-powered pinwheels or decorative stake decorations in your yard that vibrate in the soil.
One step up are ultrasonic mole repellent devices that emit sonic pulses and cause vibrations deep in the soil. This disrupts the ability of the moles to function, so they are more likely to burrow their tunnels elsewhere.
Flooding Mole Tunnels
Though it is more of a short-term deterrent rather than a permanent solution, flooding mole tunnels with water can also send moles running.
“Flushing out the mole tunnels with water can make moles want to move elsewhere,” Johnson says.
As it is often the case with natural deterrents, combining several mole control methods is usually more effective than just relying on a single method.
Encouraging Natural Predators
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Alan Tunnicliffe Photography / Getty Images
Attracting the natural enemies of moles to your yard might not work overnight but pays great dividends in the long run.
“Certain wildlife, such as birds of prey, snakes, and even cats help control mole population and make your yard less appealing to moles,” says Johnson.
Especially owls—which are nocturnal like moles—and hawks hunt for moles when they come to the surface. Johnson recommends installing an owl box or letting a section of your yard grow naturally as a meadow to attract these helpful predators.
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