This Pantry Staple Is the Key to Preventing Ground Moles (and You Already Own It)

Spring is a busy season for yard work—and it’s also go-time for ground moles, who often take advantage of the soft, moist soil to start forming their underground tunnels.

That means a ground mole prevention measure is one extra thing to consider adding to your spring to-do list. Taking a proactive approach is best, and you probably already have what you need sitting in your pantry: vinegar. Its acidic properties act as a natural ground mole deterrent, and it’s surprisingly pretty effective.

But there are some things you need to know before applying it to your yard. We sought expert advice from two pest and wildlife pros to learn how to prevent ground moles using vinegar. 

About Ground Moles

Ground moles are burrowing mammals that are only about six to eight inches long. However, you’re more likely to spot evidence of a ground mole than a ground mole itself since they live beneath the soil.

We’re talking about those tell-tale cone-shaped mounds of dirt that they leave behind after digging their tunnels, fittingly named molehills. You may also notice raised ridges in crisscrossed patterns around your yard, which are mole tunnels.

Moles do play a role in balancing the ecosystem by eating insects and fertilizing and aerating your soil. However, their tunnels can cause damage in your yard and destroy the root systems of your favorite landscaping plants, which is why you may want to deter these pests from your yard humanely.

Want more gardening tips? Sign up for our free gardening newsletter for our best growing tips, troubleshooting hacks, and more!

How to Prevent Ground Moles Using Vinegar

Using the vinegar method to repel moles only requires a few steps, but you’ll need to repeat the process frequently. Here’s how.

1. Start by mixing your solution. Fill a spray bottle with one part white vinegar and three parts water.
2. Spray the vinegar solution along the bottom of your fence and around structures like sheds. You can also spray any mole hills you notice. Aim to apply it to different areas throughout your yard, but avoid spraying it on landscaping beds or large patches of grass since it can kill them.
3. Repeat the process every few days during peak mole season (spring and fall). You should also apply it after a large rainfall.

Benefits of Using Vinegar as a Mole Deterrent

According to Casey DeLoe, lawn and arbor specialist at JP McHale Pest Management, it is vinegar’s acidic properties and strong scent that act as a repellant and a deterrent against moles. Using this method is useful for several reasons.

It’s Proactive

Using vinegar works best before you suspect your lawn has a mole issue or if you do not currently have an active mole problem. If you remove one mole from your yard, there’s a good chance other moles will notice the abandoned tunnel and take it over for themselves.

“Once a person starts noticing mole tunnels and holes, it is usually too late to use vinegar to get rid of the moles,” says Brad Woods, district manager for Trutech Wildlife Service. “And it can be difficult for someone to identify the main mole tunnel. Moles will dig through your yard looking for food and then abandon them.”

It’s Affordable

While there are other effective methods for keeping moles away from your yard, vinegar is among the cheapest. All you need is vinegar, water, and a spray bottle.

It’s Non-Toxic and Humane

Diluted vinegar isn’t harmful to the health of animals. Its scent is a natural mole repellent, so applying it to your lawn encourages them to find another place to build tunnels.

According to DeLoe, it’s also environmentally friendly.

“By using a repellent to treat the soil on the property, we can discourage moles from feeding on the property without negatively impacting positive soil development,” he says.

It Repels Other Pests

Moles aren’t the only pests that abhor the smell of vinegar. It also deters other pests, including:

• Squirrels
• Mice
• Stray dogs and cats
• Raccoons
• Spiders
• Mosquitos
• Ants

Other Tips for Eliminating Ground Moles

While vinegar is effective for deterring moles, it does require frequent and thorough reapplication.

“The issue with using this type of DIY product is that you must apply it throughout the property to increase the chance of a mole encountering the solution,” DeLoe says. “If areas are missed, the moles will be able to settle quite nicely.”

He also adds that when you are dealing with an acid-based material like vinegar, there is no way to tell what damage it will do to areas you apply it.

Here are some other ways to make your yard less appealing to moles that you can use in combination with vinegar or instead of vinegar.

Eliminate Their Food Source

“Moles are in your yard because of an available food source,” Woods says. “Eliminating the food source with insect pest control can encourage the moles to find greener pastures.”

These pests feed on insects like grubs, worms, slugs, and snails. Applying natural pesticides like diatomaceous earth or neem oil can help curb the problem.

Additionally, avoid overwatering your lawn. These insects love moist soil. So do ground moles, since moist soil is best for tunnel digging.

Trap and Release Them

Purchasing some live traps and setting them near any mole hill you notice is a humane way to get rid of moles. You’ll need to research the best place you can legally release the moles in your area. Never leave any moles in a trap for an extended period of time to avoid causing distress.

Apply Mole Barriers

Once you’ve worked on eliminating the ground moles’ food sources and successfully eliminated an active infestation, Woods recommends investing in mole barriers along your fence or property line to prevent new ones from entering.

This involves digging a two-foot-deep trench and filling it with wire mesh. This method may not be practical if you have a large yard, but it’s an effective long-term solution.