How to Get Rid of Moles and Gophers Together

If you need to get rid of moles and gophers from a lawn, start with the fact that they leave different damage and need different fixes. Moles tunnel for insects and worms, while gophers chew roots and pull plants underground, so one product rarely solves both problems. The fastest path is to identify the pest, trap the active tunnels, and repair the turf after the digging stops.

Identify Whether You Have Moles or Gophers

Correct ID matters because the right control starts underground. Moles leave raised, winding surface ridges and volcano-like mounds with plugged openings. Gophers leave crescent or fan-shaped soil mounds with a visible hole off to one side, and they often damage plants from below.

Signs of mole activity

Moles push up shallow, serpentine tunnels across the lawn. Their mounds are loose, round, and may appear overnight after moist weather. You will not usually see open entrances because moles seal their tunnels behind them.

Signs of gopher activity

Gopher mounds are larger and more organized, with a plugged hole. Plants wilt for no obvious reason, soil lifts around shrubs, and roots disappear. If vegetables, ornamentals, or young trees are dying at the base, gophers are a stronger suspect than moles.

Use Traps for the Fastest Control

Trapping is the most reliable way to get rid of moles or gophers in my yard when the population is active. Repellents do not remove an existing problem fast enough, and baiting is not the first choice for most homeowners. Set traps in active tunnels and place them where fresh digging shows the pest is still moving.

How to trap moles

1. Find a straight, raised run with fresh soil pushed up within the last 24 hours.
2. Flatten a 2 foot section of tunnel with your foot.
3. Check that section the next day, if the tunnel is raised again, place a mole trap in that run.
4. Follow the trap instructions exactly, then leave the area undisturbed for 48 hours.

Use a scissor-style, harpoon-style, or choker-style mole trap rated for lawn use. Wear gloves so your scent does not transfer to the setup area and so you can work safely around spring-loaded parts.

How to trap gophers

1. Pick the freshest fan-shaped mound and dig into the side of the main tunnel, not the plug hole.
2. Examine the soil for a straight runway about 6 to 12 inches below the surface.
3. Set two traps back-to-back in the opening, one facing each direction.
4. Cover the opening with a board, bucket, or sod to block light.

Use dual-prong or box-style gopher traps designed for underground placement. Two traps increase your chance because gophers can approach from either direction.

Use Repellents to Push Activity Out of Small Areas

Repellents work best as a support tool, not as the main fix. They help on small lawns, garden borders, and spots where trapping is not practical. Use them after you identify the pest and while you keep watching for new tunnels or mounds.

What to buy and how to apply it

Choose a castor oil based granular or liquid repellent labeled for moles, gophers, or both. For granules, spread the product at the label rate over the affected area, then water it in with about 1/4 inch of water. For liquids, apply with a hose end sprayer or pump sprayer on a calm day so the treatment reaches the soil surface evenly.

Repeat on the label schedule, which is often every 2 to 4 weeks during active digging. Keep pets and children off the area until the product dries or the label says the site is safe.

What repellents cannot do

Repellents do not eliminate a colony or stop an established tunnel system by themselves. If digging keeps spreading, move to trapping. Do not rely on ultrasonic stakes, vibration gadgets, or random home remedies to solve a lawn infestation.

Repair the Lawn After the Pest Is Gone

Once the tunneling stops, clean up the damage so the lawn fills in before weeds take over. Repairing the yard also helps you spot any new activity faster, since fresh damage stands out against smooth turf.

1. Rake loose soil out of mounds and tunnel ridges.
2. Press raised tunnels flat with your foot or a lawn roller on a dry day.
3. Fill sunken spots with topsoil, then level with a rake.
4. Seed bare areas with the same grass type already in the yard.
5. Topdress with a thin layer of compost or screened topsoil, then water lightly twice a day until germination.

If a tunnel collapsed near a walkway, patio, or sprinkler line, pack the area firmly before reseeding. For large damaged sections, cut out dead turf, add fresh topsoil, and lay sod for a faster repair.

Make the Yard Less Attractive to Moles and Gophers

Long-term control comes from reducing food, cover, and easy access. Moles follow grub and worm activity, so treating grub hotspots can help in some lawns. Gophers target roots, bulbs, and tender plantings, so protect vulnerable beds with underground barriers and wire baskets.

Practical prevention steps

Keep lawn edges trimmed and remove dense weeds near fences, sheds, and foundation plantings. Water deeply but not excessively, since soggy soil makes tunneling easier. For new beds, bury 1/2 inch hardware cloth around the perimeter to a depth of 24 inches if gophers are a recurring problem.

In vegetable gardens and around bulbs, use wire cages around individual plants. For lawns with repeated mole activity tied to grub feeding, use a grub control product labeled for the turf species and apply it according to the package timing.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get rid of moles or gophers in my yard without poison?

Use traps in the active tunnels first. For moles, place traps in raised runs that reopen after being flattened. For gophers, set two traps in the main tunnel behind a fresh mound. Add castor oil repellent around problem zones if you need extra pressure, then repair the turf after activity stops.

How do I get rid of gophers and moles in lawn areas with pets?

Trapping is the safest direct control when pets use the yard because it avoids broadcast poison. Choose traps placed underground or in covered tunnel openings, and keep pets away from active work zones. If you use a repellent, follow the label and keep pets off treated grass until the surface is dry and safe for reentry.

How long does it take to clear an infestation?

Active trapping can reduce visible damage within a few days if you place the traps in the right tunnels. Larger colonies take longer, because you may need to reset traps in new runs. After the digging ends, plan on another week or two for raking, filling, and reseeding damaged spots.

What is the difference between mole and gopher damage?

Moles leave raised tunnels and loose mounds from soil pushed upward. Gophers leave fan-shaped mounds with plugged holes and do more root damage below ground. If plants are disappearing or wilting at the base, treat it as a gopher problem first.