Because they live underground most of their lives, moles have poor eyesight. But they aren’t blind. They’re good at detecting light, which helps them know the time of day and seasons of the year. Plus, what they lack in eyesight, they gain in snout and claw sensitivity. Moles can even smell in stereo, meaning each nostril smells independent of the other!

Read on to learn why moles invade your yard, how to recognize the signs of an infestation, effective ways to get rid of them and more.

What Do Moles Look Like?

Though moles resemble rodents, they’re more closely related to hedgehogs and shrews. You’ll probably never see a mole in your yard because they’re almost always underground. In case they do pop up, here are some physical traits:

  • Black, brown, orange or gray fur. (There are also white albino moles.)
  • Small and rotund and four to seven inches long.
  • Long, curved front feet with claws for tunneling (their back feet are much smaller).
  • Short tails.
  • Fur sticks straight up so dirt slides off as they dig.
  • Small eyes and ears, mostly hidden.

Fun fact: Moles have excellent hearing. They can hear an insect drop into their tunnels and know how close it is!

Why Moles Invade Your Yard

These features make your yard attractive to moles:

  • Loose soil commonly found in fields, meadows and shady wooded areas
  • Plentiful insects, especially white grubs, earthworms, millipedes and snails (moles eat their weight in insects daily).
  • Fungi

Signs of Moles in Your Yard

Meg Pearson, technical training manager at Critter Control, says: “Moles feed on insects and earthworms below the surface. Mole damage is associated with their tunneling.”

Moles do most of their digging after rains and in spring and fall when the soil is easier to dig. Here are some signs you have a mole infestation:

  • Shallow tunnels on or just below the ground, with piles of soil at either end and sometimes in the middle. The tunnels create an uneven surface.
  • The ground feels squishy underfoot. After a hard rain, the tunnels can sink, making the ground uneven and hard to walk on.
  • Molehills. As they burrow for food, the soil gets pushed into volcano-shaped two to six-inch high piles.
  • Dead grass. Although moles don’t eat grass roots (like voles), they tunnel under grass and uproot it, which kills it.

How to Remove Moles from Your Yard

Although moles are generally beneficial because of the insects, insect larvae and other invertebrates they eat, they can wreck the look of your yard. One option is to trap them. If you prefer, call a trained wildlife specialist for help. You can also explore these methods if you’re looking for ways to get rid of moles:

  • Use castor oil spray: Moles don’t like the smell or taste of it. Mix it with water and spray it on the grass.
  • Grow plants that moles dislike: Flowers like marigolds or daffodils can help keep them away.
  • Flatten raised tunnels: If they return, you’ll know which ones are still active.
  • Try pest control for moles: Call a pest control expert who can handle it safely if nothing works.

FAQs

Are moles bad for my yard?

Moles don’t eat your plants, but they can ruin the appearance of your lawn by digging a lot and making tunnels. Their tunnels can disturb plant roots and make the ground uneven, making lawn care difficult. If left untreated, this can also lead to dry patches or tripping hazards.

How do I know if there’s more than one mole in my yard?

Usually, one mole makes a big mess. But if the damage is spreading rapidly, there is a chance of them being present in large numbers. Quickly increasing soil damage or new mounds in different areas could mean multiple moles have moved in. In that case, inspecting your yard thoroughly and acting swiftly is wise.

About the Experts:

  • Meg Pearson is a Training Manager at Critter Control. She specializes in wildlife management and humane animal removal, and her insights are published in top pest control and lawn care publications.

Sources:

  • Vanderbilt University: “Researchers find that common moles smell in stereo”
  • Healthline: “How to remove moles: Safe home remedies and when to see a doctor”