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It happens sometimes – you notice what a gorgeous day it is, venture out into the warm sunshine to work on your treasured garden and eagerly grab your spade, all ready to get stuck in – only to find that something else has started the digging for you. And they’ve left all their mess behind for you to clean up. Moles are widely considered pests among gardeners and farmers, and though every new mound of soil might spark a bit of rage, there are many ways to free your garden of these little streamlined animals.
According to the British mole catchers register, there are around 35 – 40 million moles in the U.K[i] – and sometimes it can feel like every single one is living in your garden! Although they may be a nuisance when you’re trying to make your garden look nice, moles are easy to deter with little effort and zero harm to them or your lawn. So, to help you rid your garden of these critters, we’ve put together some advice to help you get rid of moles for good.
The law on moles
If the cons outweigh the pros in this situation and you still want to get rid of moles, there are certain laws that you have to follow to do so safely.
Moles are protected under the Wild Mammals Protection Act of 1996, which declares that any person who ‘mutilates, kicks, beats, nails or otherwise impales, stabs, burns, stones, crushes, drowns, drags or asphyxiates any wild mammal with intent to inflict unnecessary suffering shall be guilty of an offence.’ [ii]
If a mole is caught or trapped, it is protected by the Animal Welfare Act of 2006, making ‘causing unnecessary suffering to an animal, mutilation and poisoning an animal’ an offence.[iii] Up until 2006, moles could legally be killed using strychnine poison, however, as of 2021, there are no legal chemical repellents that you can use against moles.
Not following these laws can result in a fine of up to £5,000 (potentially even unlimited) or a jail sentence of up to 6 months.
Signs of moles in the garden
Chances are, you already suspect moles are in your garden if you’re here however, there are some certain signs that can help you distinguish a mole infestation. Contrary to popular belief, moles do not hibernate and will remain active throughout the winter months (they can dig as deep as 40 feet below the Earth[iv] to keep their tunnels well protected from the frost) so these signs could be visible at any time of the year. Moles tend to be most active between October and April, so you are likely to see more clues around this time.
- Molehills – piles of dug up soil across lawns and flowerbeds
- Raised ridges – in lawns and flowerbeds
- Scattered stones – on the surface of lawns and flowerbeds – can damage mowing machines
- Disturbed roots – of seedlings and other small plants in flower beds and vegetable plots
You are extremely unlikely to see a mole above ground, so keep an eye out for any of the above signs to show you whether you have these critters in your garden.
How to get rid of moles
1) Leave Them Be
This may sound counterintuitive, but sometimes just leaving moles alone and covering up the evidence yourself is the best way. Besides making a beneficial addition to a garden, any mole that you evict or kill will likely be replaced with another, so killing them may not solve the problem. As long you don’t have a full blown infestation on your hands, learning to live with the occasional visit will probably give you more peace of mind in the long run than raging war against the entire species.
2) Water Your Lawn Less Often
Moles prefer moist soil because it is easier for them to dig through and the worms they eat thrive in that environment. Watering your lawn less often will make it harder for them to manoeuvre through your soil and limit their food source, encouraging them to move on quickly for easier pickings,
3) Attack Their Senses
Moles have a very strong sense of smell and are susceptible to loud noises, so assaulting their delicate senses can be a great deterrent. Place strong scents such as pickled onions, coffee grounds and eucalyptus or mint oil at the mouth of their tunnels and by molehills to drive them away, or try loud radios or speakers.
4) Use Mole Scarers
Vibrating mole scarers are readily available on the market, and will scare the animals away without hurting them. Most mole scarers emit sound waves or vibrations every minute or so, which triggers the natural danger instincts in the animals and will send them running away from it.
4) Plant Traps
Many spring traps are illegal due to the harm they cause, however, you can get small traps that will capture a mole without killing it. Moles are very clever animals so are unlikely to approach a trap that smells of humans, so wash any trap thoroughly before use. Locating one of the tunnels (they won’t be far from molehills) and place the trap at least 150 mm below ground in the tunnel. Check it regularly, but if you don’t catch anything after a week or two, place the trap in another tunnel – that one may no longer be active.
If you choose to use spring traps, ensure that the ones you use are in accordance with the law and any live moles you catch are humanely killed.
If you manage to catch a live mole and do not wish to kill it, relocation is not recommended without proper research. This is only because moles are very territorial animals, and releasing a mole into another’s territory could cause aggressive fighting and potential death. A large, wooded area would be best to provide enough room in their natural habitat without causing disruption. The Animal Welfare Act also states any captured animal must be provided with a suitable living space and diet while under your care.
6) Bring In A Professional
In accordance with the law, a professional can be called in to deal with moles, but it is recommended only to do this as a last resort as professionals are likely to use gas or traps made to kill. Costing anywhere between £70 – £90 depending on the size of the garden and the number of moles, a professional will handle everything for you, and this is the best option for a clean, quick removal of an infestation.
Benefits of moles
Before we start on getting rid of them, though, we do have to tell you that moles bring quite a few benefits into your garden. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get rid of them – if you want beautifully smooth lawns, moles are very detrimental to that desire – but you should consider the good these animals can bring to your garden before ridding it of them. Here are some of the benefits of keeping moles in your garden:
- Improved soil drainage – Since they are rarely seen above ground, moles travel beneath it through tunnels that they dig out as they go. These tunnels help improve the soil’s drainage, which stops flooding and puddles from forming.
- They keep the soil healthy – The constant tunnelling of moles helps to aerate the soil, resulting in healthier grass growth since the vital nutrients and water are better equipped to reach the roots.
- They can improve compost – The soil from molehills – the excavated heaps that moles leave behind as they dig – is perfect for potting compost.
- They eat pesky grubs – Grubs feast on the roots of grass and can destroy your garden in this fashion. Not only do moles eat these pests, but several others that can plague your garden too. Despite other information, they will not eat any young plants, roots, or bulbs either.
Living with moles
Although they aren’t endangered, there are signs that moles are slowly declining in numbers[v], so, despite the minor inconvenience, keeping them around could actually help the species, not to mention your lawn. If allowing moles to stay in your garden just isn’t an option, do attempt the more humane options mentioned above before calling in a professional – you don’t want to contribute to a declining species without trying every alternative.
If you are able to, you should encourage wildlife of all types into your garden. Creating safe habitats for wandering creatures will not only provide your garden with life, but also help preserve multiple species. Find out more about bringing wildlife into your garden here.
Sources
[i] https://www.britishmolecatchers.co.uk/about-moles/
[ii] https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1996/3/section/1
[iii] https://www.gov.uk/guidance/animal-welfare
[iv] https://www.pestdefence.co.uk/news/how-to-prevent-and-get-rid-of-moles-in-your-garden/#
[v] https://ptes.org/get-informed/facts-figures/mole/
Anna is the marketing and office manager for Garden Benches – a premium supplier of high-quality wooden benches and other outdoor furniture.
