How to Get Rid of Moles in Your Lawn

How Do You Get Rid of Moles in the Lawn

A mole can undo months of careful lawn care in a matter of days. While these underground creatures aren’t harmful to humans or pets, their tunnelling leaves behind raised ridges and soil mounds that ruin the surface, disturb roots and cause the grass to die back. Getting rid of moles in the lawn requires a balance between disruption, deterrence and, when necessary, control measures that target the source of the problem.

Why Moles Invade Lawns

Moles are drawn to lawns with moist, loose soil where their primary food source, earthworms and insectsis in good supply. Lawns that are well watered, aerated and rich in organic material are perfect hunting grounds. While they’re often solitary animals, one mole can tunnel extensively, leaving behind a network of runs just beneath the surface and pushing up molehills as they go.

They’re most active in spring and autumn when the soil is soft and worms are close to the surface. During dry summer months or winter freezes, they tend to burrow deeper, and damage may slow temporarilybut it usually resumes with the return of moisture.

Identifying Active Mole Activity

Fresh molehills are the clearest sign. These small piles of soil are typically cone-shaped and appear overnight. Beneath the surface, raised ridges or softened channels may mark the mole’s foraging runs. If you press down on these ridges and they reappear the next day, that’s a clear sign the tunnel is active.

Active moles rarely stay in one place long. Once they've exhausted the food supply in one section, they move to another. This makes timing important dealing with the issue quickly is the best way to avoid widespread damage.

Non-Lethal Deterrents

Before taking stronger action, it’s worth trying to drive the mole out. Vibrations, sound or smell-based deterrents can sometimes persuade moles to abandon their tunnels. There are motion-activated sonic stakes designed to produce underground noise moles find irritating, though results vary based on soil type and how established the mole is.

Some gardeners also try strong-smelling substances like castor oil granules, garlic or petroleum-based repellents in tunnels, aiming to make the environment less inviting. These may work temporarily, especially if applied early before the mole settles into deeper runs.

Physical Removal Options

When deterrents fail, more direct control may be needed. Humane traps are available that allow for relocation, although you must check local wildlife regulations before using them. Traditional mole traps, which are lethal, remain one of the most effective methods for stubborn infestations but must be placed carefully and checked frequently.

Correct trap placement is critical. The trap should be placed in a straight run rather than at a molehill, as these tunnels are used more often. Flatten a section of the run, mark it, and check the next day. If it reappears, you’ve found an active tunnel and can set your trap there.

Repairing the Lawn After Mole Removal

Once the mole has been dealt with, focus shifts to repairing the damage. Rake out molehills gently and remove any excess soil. Flatten ridges by rolling or lightly tamping down the surface. If grass has been uprooted or thinned, reseed affected areas with a grass mix to match your existing lawn. Water well and keep foot traffic off the area until it recovers.

In more serious cases, you may need to apply top dressing to level out the surface before reseeding. Moles rarely cause permanent damage to turf if addressed early, and a properly repaired lawn can bounce back quickly.

Moles Follow the Food — Not the Grass

Moles aren’t actually interested in the grass itself. Their target is the insect population beneathprimarily earthworms, but also grubs and larvae. That means if your lawn is rich in organic matter and teeming with worms, it's a prime location. Reducing excessive moisture and overfeeding can help make the environment less attractive without harming your lawn.

One Mole, Big Impact

You usually only have one mole at a time in a garden. They’re highly territorial, and most infestations are caused by a single individual covering a wide area. That’s why widespread damage doesn’t always require widespread trappingjust precise identification of active runs and correct trap placement.

Soil Type Affects Tunnelling

Light, sandy soils make it easier for moles to tunnel quickly and create visible ridges and molehills. In heavier clay or compacted ground, surface signs may be less obvious even though damage is occurring below. The soil type can also affect the effectiveness of sonic deterrents or traps that rely on ground vibration.

Avoid Heavy Machinery Over Affected Areas

It might be tempting to roll the lawn flat using heavy equipment, but this can compact the soil, stressing the grass and harming its root zone. Instead, use light rolling or hand tamping followed by topdressing to smooth the surface. A compacted lawn may recover unevenly and is more prone to weed invasion.

Mole Activity Peaks After Rain

Moles are more active after rainfall when worms move closer to the surface. If you're trying to track active tunnels or place traps, check early in the morning after a wet night. Fresh molehills are more likely to appear, and new ridges will help guide your next steps.

Professional Help May Be Warranted

For customers dealing with persistent or repeated mole problems, especially on large lawns or properties bordering farmland or woodland, a professional pest control service may be the best option. They can provide targeted trapping and monitoring using specialist tools, ensuring humane and effective removal.

Natural Predators Can Offer Long-Term Control

While not a fast solution, encouraging predators like owls, foxes or even cats in rural areas may help keep mole populations in check. Some customers may also benefit from adding owl boxes or encouraging native predatory wildlife around the garden’s edges.

Final Word

Moles might not eat your grass, but their behaviour can leave your lawn looking uneven and neglected. Dealing with them early is the best way to prevent lasting damage. Whether you choose deterrents, humane methods or professional trapping, the goal is to remove the mole and restore the lawn without further disruption. With persistence and proper care, your lawn can recover fully and stay mole-free going forward.