Your well-nourished garden can be ruined the moment moles move under it. Though experts consider the aeration of the soil through the tunnels a benefit, they all admit that plant growth is at risk. And we’re not mentioning pests’ crave to dig all the way to worm habitat in the roots of the plants. And what can you do to save your yard? Keep the moles away in the first place!
In order to find the best mole repellents, we’ve tested over a dozen products and now present to you 6 most impressive options with Mole Scram Professional on top. We’ve picked repellents with active ingredients that can also resolve problems with rodents. For those who prefer natural solutions, we’ve got solar-powered repellents and products made of natural ingredients. Read on to find the right option!
More features: 82% peanut hulls, environmentally safe
This product is our Editor’s Choice because it is an effective mole controller that can be used to keep safe small yards as well as golf lawns. This mole repellent is organic and biodegradable, you can be sure that no harmful chemicals will soak in the soil. It uses two ways to keep the pests away: by providing distinctive odor that moles dislike, and by taste of castor oil. No animals will be killed in the process. These granules can be added in the ground at any time of year, making them a universal solution.
Unlike our pick for the Best Value product, Mole Scram uses several active ingredients to repel moles quicker. Where Natural Elements Mole and Vole Repellent contains 100% castor oil, our Editor’s Choice adds natural peanut hulls for smell. Be sure to remember – humans can smell it too. Also, Mole Scram stays effective a whole month longer than Natural Elements mole deterrent, and can keep your yard safe for 90 days straight. Yet unlike Best Value pick, it won’t be able to repel voles if you are having a problematic infestation.
More features: 12 spikes in a box, 18 months effectiveness rate
Bonide Molemax Sonic Spike uses patented “open wave” technology to help you keep pests away from the territory. It is a perfect chemical-free alternative to classic solutions. This battery-powered option is one of the best mole and gopher repellents on the market. It imitates predator sounds that scare off most rodents. Bonide Molemax Sonic Spike has patented its unique “Chatter sound” and proved it to be effective. This sound is released every 28 seconds and leaves not even the quickest pest a chance of entering your property.
Bonide sonic mole controller is similar in action to a solar-powered Careland Mole Repellent, both products release sonic waves at certain periods of time. Yet Bonide Molemax has a better coverage area at 7,500 sq ft and more power to its Chatter sounds. Unlike solar mole repeller, this product requires battery change every 18 months, which might become an inconvenience. Both products are safe to use around children and won’t alarm your pets. The sonic sound doesn’t disturb the frequency on which dogs hear.
More features: 8 items in pack, 40 ft pattern diameter, 30-day refund and 2-year replacement guarantee, waterproof, 2.28 x 8.9 in spike dimensions
Careland Solar Mole Repellent is a perfect option for those who have more sunny days in their area – for these solar-powered mole controllers will drive the pests away all-year round. Careland is a product that can be installed in two simple steps: you just use a rod to make a whole to put the stake in. Then just turn on the device and enjoy mole-free garden. This device uses common sonic waves that scare off possible pests both under and on the ground, making this a universal solution.
We’ve already found some differences between Careland mole repeller and Bonide Molemax Sonic Spike. Yet these devices are also very similar in their working principal. They both emit 2-second sonic waves, where Careland releases them every 30 seconds and Bonide does it every 28 seconds. What we’ve encountered was that Careland does well in moist conditions, unlike some granulated repellers, like Tomcat Mole & Gopher Repellent Granules, that can get soaked deeper in the ground and loose effectiveness on the surface. Careland product is water-resistant and has enough solar charge to work through rainy season without loss in performance. It takes just 3 to 4 hours to fully charge and work off a single sunny day for 7 rainy ones. Just like Bonide Molemax Sonic Spike, this product is completely safe for pets and children.
More features: non-toxic, 60- to 90-day working period
If you don’t have much money yet aren’t ready to spend a fortune on treating the consequence of mole hills, Natural Elements offers a cheap solution. This is one of the best cheap mole repellents on the market today. Castor oil is a natural mole repeller which is also effective against voles. It doesn’t harm plants and pets, it is also totally safe for children. It comes in a liquid form and can be easily applied to the area needed, one bottle will keep safe a total area of 20,000 square feet.
As we’ve mentioned above, Natural Elements Mole and Vole Repellent can treat more lands than even our Editor’s Choice, even with the use of less ingredients. Yet we must admit that castor oil tastes bitter, and can affect the plants if put too close to them. What we love about Natural Elements product, is that it can be effective for 60-90 days straight, almost as long as Mole Scram Professional (though it is heavily advised to re-apply the solution after 60 days have passed).
More features: 32 oz container, hose end sprayer, 30-day money-back guarantee, 30 to 90-days effective
I Must Garden have created this solution specifically for large areas to be sprayed for quick garden treatment. The best results will be achieved if the ground is sprayed gradually, in sections. We’ve found such method highly effective as it allows to control the pest moving patterns and drive them further and further from the house and yard. I Must Garden offers two pattern types: from one end of the property to the other, and in circles from the center determined by you. This product treats the ground safely, and won’t affect people or pets.
I Must Garden Mole & Vole Repellent can drive away more pest types than all of the other products. It is effective against most rodents and can improve overall yard landscape. Even a compact container can treat an impressive area of 10,000 sq ft. For instance, our Budget-Friendly Choice, Natural Elements mole repeller needs 1 gal to treat 20,000 sq feet, while I Must Garden Mole & Vole Repellent can cover the same area at just half the gallon. Both solutions are effective for about 30-60 days and need to be re-applied.
More features: 90% Fuller’s earth, 4 lbs pack
Tomcat Mole & Gopher Repellent Granules when activated by water, in just 20 minutes it is soaked in the ground and starts working at quickest rate. Its GPT (ground-penetrating technology) allows for the solution to go deeper underground and repel more pest types. This is one of the best mole prevention products as it can be used even when the signs of infestations aren’t yet visible to the naked eye. Each watering of the ground will make the granules go deeper and affect more sneaky pests.
Just like I Must Garden Mole & Vole Repellent, this product should be applied gradually, yet is proven to be more effective if spread in circles. One more similarity between the two, is that they offer an effective repellent against most types of moles and rodents and help keep garden safe. This is one of the cheapest options on our list, yet unlike our Best Value choice, it doesn’t treat as much area and can’t hold as long. Yet it is also effective in wet conditions and won’t be washed away after rains.
As we’ve looked at reviews of the best options on the market, it is time to take a closer look at some of the crucial parameters that will make or break the deal for you. In this section we’ll explain how to choose the best mole control products and how to apply them to your cause. We’ll also answer frequently asked questions to avoid any misunderstanding regarding products’ abilities and effectiveness.
To understand the benefits of using mole control products, we should take a closer look at the consequence of mole infestation and how the product will help you preventing it.
There are common misconceptions about mole diet and lifestyle. Many people believe that ain sanger to their yard is moles love for fresh fruits and veggies, as well as their roots. Yet moles are somewhat carnivorous pests, they prefer to dig for earthworms. In fact, they consume as much as half of their body weight of worms daily. Their second favorite meal is larvae, which is often used as a bate. If you want to catch the pest (humane methods or not), we advise checking out these reviews of the best moles traps.
Voles (hamster-like rodents also going by the name of meadow mice), are often believed to share mole diet and prey on the leftovers of the mole dinner. Yeat they are the ones who gave grounds top the vegetarian mole myths, since they are active at the same periods and often
Even though moles are blind on the surface, they orient pretty well underground and can dig up to 18 feet of tunnel per hour and they know where they’re going. They navigate themselves with vibrations, touch and most strongly – through smell. They also taste the ground to find soils with the delicious meals around.
Moles can also survive deep underground even though research found that mole tunnels have oxygen levels as low as 14.3%. So, if you aren’t sure about repelling such sturdy pests, we advise looking at the best mole killers to finish the job.
Here’s a quick video about good and bad mole habits to learn more about these pests:
Though moles move around underground, they still tend to tunnel upstairs once earthworms become active. That leaves nasty mole hills and can damage whole yard system and the lawn won’t look as neat. Mole, determined to find food, will dig through anything, it won’t mind damaging roots, plants and inedible insects.
Repellents for moles use components that these pests find either disgusting to taste or even dangerous. Castor oil is the most hated product, since, as we’ve mentioned above, moles are sensitive to smell and taste, and this oil is rather bitter. Some mole control products use strong smells that can help you repulse pests, yet the most effective one will cause irritation to their skin. Moles learn pretty quickly when they are not welcome and tend to search for a safer space even if that means leaving their favorite feeding grounds.
In this section we’ll explain parameters that influence quality and effectiveness of every mole deterrent. As well as what can influence your decision and help you choose the right product for your needs.
Mole repellers come in various forms and volumes, as well featuring different active ingredients. We can highlight several main options this product comes in.
Granules – mole deterrents of this type come in small granules that can be spread by fertilizers or dissolved in water before being sprayed on the ground. They are usually made with several components. Granules not always are water-soluble and can go deeper underground with each watering or rain.
Sonic spikes – these mole repellents can be solar and battery-powered, they release short sonic waves in set periods of time. The sound is harmless to domestic pets and is not loud, so it won’t affect your leisure time in the yard. Yet it will drive pests away working on frequencies they despise, or imitating sounds they’re afraid of.
Aerosol – these mole repellents release toxic gas that sensitive mole noses can’t stand.
Liquid – similar in working pattern and often in composition to granulated mole deterrents. These are much simpler to use with a spraying hose.
Most mole deterrents have castor oil as the main active ingredient and for a good reason. Moles are very sensitive to the bitter taste of this solution and their digestion system can’t handle the texture. Moreover, the moment castor oil makes contact with mole’s skin, it irritates it (basically making moles very itchy).
Adding to the solution, there also can be some smell repellents added, like citronella oil in Mole Scram Professional.
Always consider land area you’d have to treat. Though you might feel like moles are present in one part of your property, they can surround the lawn and dig in not-so-plain sight.
Mole infestation doesn’t have natural borders, golf lawns can be affected by the pests as well as small yards.
With liquid and granulated products, you can simply count how much solution is needed by pack. For example, Natural Elements Mole and Vole Repellent needs 1 gallon of liquid to cover 20,000 sq ft. For small yards we advise picking smaller quantities, like Tomcat Mole & Gopher Repellent Granules, that will effectively deter moles in the 3,000-4,000 sq ft area.
Sonic spikes can be placed at certain distances to leave no “holes” for pests to sneak in. Depending of the working range, each spike should be placed at 40 to 60 feet in diameter from each other.
No matter the form of your repellent, these solutions can withstand various weather conditions. They might get soaked in deeper into the ground after a heavy rain, but it doesn’t make them ineffective.
Yet some extreme weather condition might create natural barriers for liquid solutions, not letting them to soak into the ground, so be sure to check that with the manufacturer.
We also recommend using sonic deterrents like Bonide Molemax Sonic Spike, which work during rains, extreme heat and can effectively perform until the battery drains out. After the rains you should always check if the spikes are correctly placed into the ground, softer soils get wet quicker and can tilt the sonic repeller.
You can opt for Careland Solar Mole Repellent if you live in the sunny area. Even during rainy periods, this product can work for a week without recharging.
Even though our research was focused on looking for the best mole deterrent, we have also tested if the products’ promises to take care of more than one pest type, are true. We’ve only trusted the products that proved every word on their manual to be true.
Most mole repellents can also affect voles and armadillos, which often share moles’ hatred for castor oil.
Castor oil Is a natural repellent to most rodents, like gophers. But if you have a real problem, we advise purchasing solution that targets them specifically. Take a look at these reviews of the best gopher repellents to pick on that fits your needs.
Some products can take care of a great variety of pests, including active ingredients that can repel animals sensitive to certain smells, like peppermint and cedarwood oil in I Must Garden Mole & Vole Repellent. It offers unique formula that works against various pests, including moles, skunks and ground squirrels.
Mole repellents are made for users with different buying needs and abilities. If you have a serios problem and need a long-term product, it might cost much more than re-appliable solutions.
Solar and battery-powered sonic deterrents are the most expensive options on our list, since you need a set of spikes to effectively cover the whole yard. But you will only need to spend money once – the day you buy them. Battery powered Bonide Molemax Sonic Spike will need a change of batteries, while solar powered Careland Solar Mole Repellent thought cost more, can work off of pleasant weather conditions only.
Granulated and liquid solutions are cheaper and proven to be effective, yet they will need to be re-applied every couple of months or so, you’ll need to count the costs for an active mole period to the price calculations. Effective solutions can be pricey, but if you have a tight budget, we recommend our Best Value choice – Natural Elements Mole and Vole Repellent, that is moderately priced and capable of driving moles away from your property.
It is important to have a reliable repeller that will affect pests’ behavior during their feeding period. It guarantees healthy yard all year long.
Moles are the most active through spring and summer, since these are the periods that are the most valuable in terms of finding food. But you would be wrong to assume moles hibernate during winter. Moles still can tunnel through soils, just going deep, where it is warmer and easier to wait until feeding.
Most granulated mole deterrents stay effective for two or three months straight capable of holding through various weather conditions. Liquid solutions, depending on the manufacturer, work for around two months and you’ll need to re-apply them once again.
Sonic deterrents can hold much longer. Battery operated stakes can continuously work for 18 months before batteries will need change. Solar-powered options though depend on sun to power them, have ergonomic batteries that are charged rather quickly holding for a week without any sunlight on them. You’ll need to check such devices every year to see if the battery is not damaged.
All of the products we’ve reviewed are safe to use in your yard, they won’t be dangerous to pets and children, so even if the mole is not there yet, you can just take the matters into your own hands and not allow even a pinch of your yard affected.
We’ve tested the most effective mole controlling products on the market and now you know why we’ve picked them for our reviews. Let’s remind you of some of the most impressive options we’d recommend to anyone.
Our Editor’s Choice and the most universal mole repeller is Mole Scram Professional. It focuses on repelling moles only and works on two levels – smell and taste, which will guarantee that the pest won’t ever think about returning to your property.
If you prefer to not use any granulated or liquid solutions, we recommend the best sonic mole repellent for yard and lawn. Bonide Molemax Sonic Spike uses patented “Chatter sound” technology, that releases sound waves each 28 seconds.
If the money is an issue, we advise choosing Natural Elements Mole and Vole Repellent, one of the best mole repellents for a decent price. This is a liquid solution and 1 gallon of this repeller can cover up to 20,000 square feet of land.
We hope this article was helpful and now your yard is mole-free for years to come!
