Go Natural
For simple, do-it-yourself mole control, many people turn to poisons or chemical-laden repellents. Old-fashioned natural pest control remedies and modern trap improvements provide a variety of first-rate organic mole control options. Whether you choose to mix your own green pest control concoction or just want to grab something safe and efficient off the shelf, there are plenty of ways to achieve successful green pest control.
Natural Pest Control from the Kitchen
Homemade Mole Poison - As with any poison, even the homemade variety, one needs to be certain that pets and children will be kept free and clear of the mixture. Unlike some natural pest control recipes, this one does not use food that will attract pets or humans, but it is still important to use caution.
Mix 1 cup of Murphy's Oil soap with 1 ounce of castor oil into a spray bottle. Next, add a ¼ cup of cayenne pepper and enough water to fill the bottle. Spray this mixture into the tunnel and on any mole mounds. The mixture will seep into the ground and poison the area and the food source. Note that knowing which tunnel, or runway, is currently being used by the pest will make for more successful mole removal.
Large Coffee Can - Another do-it-yourself pest control remedy involves making your own pitfall trap. To make the trap, begin by digging a hole into the tunnel; the hole should be deep enough so that the coffee can rest inside with the top edge just reaching the bottom of the tunnel. Cover the top of the hole, above ground, with a board, so the mole cannot get out and you can easily find the trap again later. Eventually, the mole will fall into the trap and you can take it and the container out of the tunnel and release him elsewhere.
Elbow Grease - While not a real kitchen recipe, digging mole boarders are a natural pest control solution for the do-it-yourself pest control guru. Installing a physical barrier is only good for small areas like protecting gardens. Dig a trench that extends at least two feet into the ground and then fill it with rocks or bury metal sheeting instead. Moles are not deep diggers so a solid barrier is usually enough to make the mole change his route and leave your garden alone.
Don't Try this at Home
Search the Internet or talk to a neighbor and you’re likely to get a flurry of organic mole control ideas. The fact is most of these tips do not work or do not work consistently. With so many other green pest control options out there, it is best to skip these and just move on. Here is a short list of what
not to use:
- Moth Balls
- Onions
- Broken Glass
- Bleach
- Human Hair
- Pickle Juice
- Fire Crackers
Green Market
For totally organic mole control, traps are your best plan of attack. Some traps are more difficult to learn or harder to set than others, but all are known to be effective organic pest control products.
- Scissor Trap - This versatile trap is good for mole extermination in all types of soil. It is arguably the most effective way to kill moles, but also the most difficult to learn to use. This trap has a scissor-shaped jaw that clamps down on the mole to exterminate it quickly.
- Harpoon Trap - Good for use in clay soils, this trap has sharp spikes that literally harpoon the mole as it goes by. Harpoon traps can be tough to set up if you lack strength in your hands.
- Choker Loop Trap - A choker loop trap works no matter what direction the mole is traveling and is relatively easy to set. The entire trap fits below ground and works by putting a strangle hold on the mole until the extermination process is complete.
If you prefer not to use trapping as your green pest control method, then you still have
organic pest control repellents that you can try instead:
- Granular Mole Repellents - Much like the homemade solution suggested earlier, there are organic mole control repellents that also use castor oil as the active ingredient. You simply sprinkle the granules on your lawn and water them, or wait for rain, to help the grains dissolve and work into the soil.
- Liquid Mole Repellents - Castor oil is again the base ingredient for most liquid mole repellents, but some products also add essential oils believed to be distasteful to the mole. Cinnamon oil and garlic oil are two examples of oils that help to make the ground and the mole's food unpalatable, while also providing a chemical-free, organic pest control solution.
The Choice is Yours
All-natural, organic mole control is a possibility whether you choose to go the do-it-yourself route or simply want to call a professional. Trapping is the most effective green pest control option in either scenario; it is often the quickest as well. Now that you know what is available, you can easily choose the organic mole control selection that fits your timeframe and budget.