A few raised lines across the lawn might not seem like a big deal. Then you notice another one the next morning. And another.

Moles spend most of their time underground, digging through soil in search of earthworms, grubs, insects, and other small organisms. Their digging can leave raised tunnels, loose soil, and molehills scattered across a lawn.

If you’re trying to figure out how to get rid of moles in yard areas, start by finding out whether the tunnels are still active. That small step can save you from treating parts of the lawn the mole isn’t even using.

What types of moles are found in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania is home to several mole species. The Eastern mole (Scalopus aquaticus) is the one homeowners are most likely to encounter, particularly in loose, moist soil.

Star-nosed and hairy-tailed moles can also be found in the state, although they tend to prefer different habitats.

The species matters less to most homeowners than the signs it leaves behind. Raised tunnels and fresh molehills are usually the first things you’ll notice.

Why are moles digging up my lawn?

Moles aren’t eating your grass.

They’re digging because they’re looking for food underground. As they move through the soil, they create tunnels that can show up as raised ridges across the surface. When they push soil upward, they leave behind the small piles commonly called molehills.

A little tunneling may not do much harm. Heavy activity is another story. It can disturb grass roots, leave sections of the lawn uneven, and make mowing a real nuisance.

How can you tell if moles are still active?

This is worth checking before you set a trap or apply a treatment.

An old tunnel doesn’t necessarily mean there’s still a mole using it. Look for fresh ridges, newly formed molehills, loose soil, or soft spots in the lawn. If new damage keeps showing up in the same area, there’s a good chance the tunnel is active.

You can also flatten a small section of a suspected tunnel and check it again after a day or two. If the soil has been pushed back up, the tunnel is probably being used.

That’s the area to focus on.

What are the best ways to control moles?

The best approach depends on how much activity you’re seeing and where the damage is happening. A method that makes sense for a small garden isn’t always practical for an entire lawn.

Trapping

Trapping can work well when a mole is using a known tunnel.

Common traps include harpoon, scissor-jaw, and choker-loop designs. The key is placement. A trap sitting in an abandoned tunnel won’t do much, so check for fresh activity first and follow the manufacturer’s instructions when setting the trap.

Baiting

Mole baits are made to resemble foods moles commonly eat, including earthworms and grubs. If you use a bait product, follow its label closely.

Pay attention to where it’s placed, too. Baits should be kept away from children, pets, and wildlife that aren’t the intended target.

Repellents

Castor-oil-based repellents are another option. They come in granular and liquid forms and are meant to make treated areas less appealing to moles.

They can help, but don’t expect a repellent to act like a fence. A mole may simply shift its digging to another part of the property, especially if the soil still provides good food and digging conditions.

Physical barriers

Barriers can be useful when there’s one area you really want to protect, such as a garden bed.

Hardware cloth or metal mesh can be buried about 24 to 30 inches deep around the area, with the bottom bent outward to make digging underneath harder. For raised beds, wire mesh can be installed underneath the planting area.

This is much more practical for a defined space than for a large lawn.

Lawn and soil management

Good lawn maintenance won’t magically remove moles, but it does make new activity easier to spot.

Keep an eye on areas where tunnels tend to appear. Pay attention to drainage and soil conditions, especially after periods of wet weather. If grubs are a problem, addressing them can remove one potential food source.

Just don’t assume grub control will solve the mole problem by itself.

Will getting rid of grubs get rid of moles?

Not always.

Grubs are one food source, but moles also eat earthworms and other organisms found in soil. So even if you reduce the grub population, a mole may have plenty of other food available.

If fresh tunnels continue appearing after grub treatment, the mole activity needs to be addressed directly.

How can you keep moles from coming back?

There’s no guaranteed way to make a property completely unattractive to moles. You can, however, make it easier to catch new activity before it gets out of hand.

Walk the lawn occasionally and look for new ridges or molehills. Keep the grass maintained so changes in the surface are easier to notice. If one section of the property repeatedly develops tunnels, take a closer look at that area.

A garden or other small planting area can also be protected with an underground mesh barrier.

The sooner you spot a new tunnel, the easier it is to decide what to do about it.

Are moles and voles the same thing?

No. They cause different types of damage and need different control approaches.

Moles are mammals that spend much of their time underground searching for soil-dwelling food. Their raised tunnels and molehills are the giveaway.

Voles are small rodents. They feed on plants, roots, bulbs, and other vegetation and can damage the base of trees and shrubs.

If you’re seeing tunnels but aren’t sure which animal is responsible, get the identification right before choosing a treatment.

When should you call a professional?

If the tunnels keep coming back, cover a large part of the lawn, or continue appearing after you’ve tried controlling them, it may be time to bring in a professional.

At Dominion Pest Control, we provide yard pest control services for moles and voles in Berks, Chester, Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, and York counties in Pennsylvania.

We also offer wildlife-repelling services that use natural products to discourage nuisance wildlife from remaining on a property.

A professional can look at the activity, identify the areas being used, and determine which control approach makes sense for the property.

Frequently asked questions about moles

How long does it take to get rid of moles?

There’s no single timeline. It depends on how much activity is present, how many active tunnels there are, and which control method is being used. One active mole is a different problem from tunneling spread across an entire lawn.

Do fresh molehills mean I have an active mole problem?

They usually indicate recent activity. Look for other fresh signs, such as newly raised tunnels or disturbed soil, to get a better idea of whether the activity is continuing.

Can moles damage my lawn?

Yes. Frequent tunneling can disturb grass roots and leave the lawn uneven. Heavy activity can also make mowing and general lawn care more difficult.

Do mole repellents always work?

No. Repellents can discourage moles from using treated areas, but they aren’t guaranteed to eliminate the problem. A mole may move its activity somewhere else on the property.

What is the best way to get rid of moles?

It depends on the situation. Trapping can target active moles, while repellents and barriers may be useful for protecting specific areas. When activity is widespread or keeps returning, professional control may be the better option.

Will moles leave on their own?

They might, but waiting for that to happen isn’t a reliable way to protect your lawn. If new tunnels keep appearing, it’s better to identify the active areas and deal with the problem.

Get help with mole problems in your yard

Mole tunnels are frustrating, especially when you’ve already repaired one section of the lawn and find fresh damage a day or two later.

Start by checking which tunnels are active. That gives you a much better idea of where the problem is and what kind of control may be needed.

If mole activity is persistent or widespread, Dominion Pest Control can assess the problem and provide yard pest control services throughout its Pennsylvania service area. Call 717-393-7879 or contact Dominion to request a quote.