Repellents - Moles

If moles eat bulbs, an aversive taste repellent, Thiram, is available from a variety of sources including agriculture supply stores, feed and seed stores, and garden shops. Thiram is available as a liquid so you can dip bulbs in it before planting. Be sure to follow the instructions on the package. There is some evidence that mole repellents containing the active ingredient castor oil are effective in repelling moles from lawns. These repellents are available under a wide variety of trade names. You should under-stand that these repellents do not actually kill the offending animal and, if suitable habitat remains, the moles will return. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s label closely.

One relatively new product that has had success are the worm baits. There are several available but they all have Bromethalin as their active ingredient. To use these baits start by checking for active runs as described earlier. Placing one or two of these baits within active runs is sufficient. This can be done by either using your finger or a pencil to push them from the surface through the dirt into the bottom of the run or a potentially more efficient manner may be to remove the surface soil allowing you to see the run, place the bait, and then cover it up with the removed soil. Make sure they are located within the run and the bottom otherwise it will be difficult for the moles to encounter them. Recheck the runs in about a week to ensure success. Repeat the procedure if necessary. As always, follow the directions on the package to avoid issues with non-target species.