How to Rid Your Lawn of Moles

Moles are more than an annoyance when it comes to lawns. They burrow beneath the ground and create tunnels that are relatively close to the surface. Not only is it dangerous to have mole hills scattered about a lawn, as your foot may fall into the tunnels, but it is also unsightly and can cause major issues with your garden.

Things You'll Need

• Coffee can or other deep container
• Mole trap
• Small shovel or trowel
• Juicy fruit gum
• Gloves
• Large tongs

Instructions

Homemade Traps

1. Find one of the mole hills by looking for raised areas of the lawn. Carefully dig through the earth until you have hit the mole's runway (the tunnels they run through). Dig a hole beneath the runway, so there is enough room to place a coffee can or other deep container flush with the mole's runway.

2. Place a coffee can into the hole you dug so that its open top is flush with the floor of the runway. This way, the mole will run into the can, but will be unable to get out.

3. Place a piece of wood or other light-blocking material over the hole that you have dug over the runway.

4. Once a mole is caught, place a cover over the container and remove it while wearing gloves. If necessary, use a large pair of tongs to grab the edge of the container.

5. Release the mole as soon as possible in area that is not close to the yard. Try the woods a few miles away and release it there.

6. Replace the container to catch more moles.

Chewing Gum

1. Locate mole holes throughout the yard.

2. Unwrap one piece of Juicy Fruit gum and place it into a hole. The mole will eat the gum, and it will kill it within a few hours of digesting it.

3. Repeat for all holes in yard. No further action is required.

Using Killing Traps

1. Find the entrance to the hole and carefully dig into it.

2. Place the trap (according to the manufacturer's instructions) into the hole, then cover it with a piece of wood or other light blocking material.

3. Check the trap once or twice a day to see if any moles have been caught.

4. Remove any deceased moles with heavy gloves into a plastic bag, then replace the trap.

Tips & Warnings

• Moles will most likely take over any empty holes, so killing them is not always the answer.

References

• How to Get Rid of Moles