Which Home Products Kill Yard Moles?

Few home products will actually kill yard moles. They are hardy little creatures and as mammals need to either ingest a product or be mortally wounded and die from the injuries sustained. For this reason, experts suggest that trapping and poisoning them, removing them to another location or drowning them after capture are the best ways to eliminate them. A number of household products, however, may act as repellents to persuade them to move elsewhere.

Castor oil granules are a popular repellent for moles and other garden pests. The granules are made from all-natural products such as castor oil, soap and corncob granules, are organic and biodegradable, and will not harm the lawn. Use a spreader to distribute the granules over the section of yard where the moles have caused damage. Water the granules manually or simply leave them for the rain to dissolve. The resulting solution gives off a scent that repels the moles, according to the website Castor Oil Home.

Alternatively, mix a homemade mole repellent using 6 oz. of regular castor oil and 2 tbsp. of Murphy's Oil Soap or commercial dish soap. Add this to a gallon of water for a concentrated solution and apply to the lawn. Remember to reapply after watering or rain. The theory is that the repellent coats grubs and earthworms with castor oil, making moles less inclined to eat them. If they do, it gives them diarrhea, reports Gardening Know How.

Moles don't eat plants, as is commonly believed, but grubs and insects. Plants that are natural repellents for animals are believed to be effective against moles too. These include Calendula officinalis "Marigold," Allium sativum "garlic," Ricinus communis "castor bean" and Euphorbia lathyris L. "mole plant." Some of these, such as castor bean, are also poisonous to dogs and cats and must be used with caution if you have pets.

Anecdotal evidence supports a variety of other home remedies, but none has been proved conclusively effective. These include sunken soda bottles with an open top just above ground, which apparently create vibrations in the tunnels; sonic chasers and other battery-operated gadgets; placing mothballs in the tunnels; and flooding tunnels with water. Other suggestions include using pickle juice, red pepper, razorblades and bleach. Some of these, however, do more harm to the environment than to the moles.