How to Deter Mice, Rats & Moles Naturally From Your Yard

You needn't resort to lethal poisons or traps to rid your yard of pests.

Your yard is an ecosystem in its own right. It's capable of supporting many types of life forms. Of course, this means that your lawn may be home to some animals that aren't so welcome, including mice, rats and moles. Each of these mammals has the potential to cause damage not only to your yard, but also to your house. Rodents in particular can carry diseases which can harm people as well as pets. Moles, meanwhile, can wreak havoc by creating unsightly mounds and runways. Luckily, you can deter these pest naturally and keep your yard toxin-free.

Things You'll Need

• Screen or fencing material, ¼-inch or smaller
• Peppermint plants or peppermint oil
• Castor bean plants
• Daffodils

Instructions

Rats and Mice

1. Remove any type of food source available to the rats and mice. This includes removing all garbage or litter. If you must put the garbage out for pick-up, ensure that you use garbage cans with snug-fitting lids. Also remove any pet food, birdseed, fruit or vegetables that have fallen on the yard. If you have a dog, be sure to clean up after it, as its droppings will attract rodents.

2. Close all water sources from your lawn. If you have a leaky garden hose, fix or remove it. Also fix any leaky pipes and remove standing water from the yard. Block off all access points to drains. Use a ¼-inch or smaller screen/fencing to block the access points.

3. Take away anything that the rodents could use as shelter. If you have firewood stacked in the yard, either remove it or stack it roughly 18 inches off the ground. To deter mice and rats, you must also discard any junk piles, old boxes, lumber and any unused vehicles. If you have deck or porch that the rodents can hide under, fence it off with ¼-inch or smaller screen/fence.

4. Plant peppermint around the perimeter of your yard. You can buy peppermint, which is a natural mouse deterrent, at most garden supply centers. If you don't wish to plant peppermint, simply soak some cotton balls in peppermint oil and place them strategically around the yard.

Moles

1. Water your lawn less often. Too much water can bring the insects, grubs and worms, that moles feed on, to the surface and make your lawn more enticing to the mole. A wet lawn can also exacerbate the damage caused by any moles that are already present in the yard.

2. Convert larger portions of your lawn into habitats that do not suit moles. For example, large gardens will deter mole activity because they are frequently tilled, thus preventing the moles from constructing their runways. You can also put in hedgerows and stone paths to further deter moles.

3. Plant castor bean plants at various points around your yard. The castor bean and its seed are natural deterrents to moles. Castor bean plants or their seeds sell at most garden supply centers.

4. Plant daffodils around your yard. Daffodils are also a natural mole deterrent.When the daffodils bloom in the spring they will add color and vibrancy to your yard. Again, daffodils can also be found at most any garden supply center.

References

• Public Health - Seattle and King County: How to Get Rid of Rats
• Pittsburgh Public Works: Rodent Control
• Grandma's Home Remedies: Home Remedies for Getting Rid of Mice
• Ohio State University: Effective Mole Control
• Mole-Deterrent.com: Plants that Repel Moles