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Mole problem #925905

Asked March 12, 2026, 12:41 PM EDT

How do I rid my yard of moles

Ingham County Michigan

Expert Response

Thank you for your question. You didn't say what signs the moles are leaving as evidence. There are two types of moles active in Michigan: eastern moles and star-nosed moles. Their favorite foods are earthworms and insect larvae. The eastern mole is the mole that creates tunnels just below the lawn surface all over the place. The star-nosed mole is the mole that forms the big piles or volcanoes of soil on the surface from soil in deeper tunnels. Moles do not hibernate; they just use deeper tunnels during the winter. This time of year, as the soil begins to warm up they are mating, giving birth and seeking food for their young. They eat mostly earthworms and some grubs, rarely plant roots or bulbs (mice & squirrels).
More info about moles & how to get rid of them in the attached links:
Moles in the Lawn-MSU Who's Digging in my Yard-MSU - eastern & star nosed moles
https://extension.psu.edu/moles
https://blogs.cornell.edu/nysipm/2020/10/14/dealing-with-mole-problems-in-turfgrass/
How to Control Moles-SG-MSU - a bait recommendation 
Diagnosing wildlife holes in yard-Iowa
Controlling Moles, Racoons & Skunks - MSU Moles In Lawn-Purdue 
I've Got Moles (video) MSU
Wear latex gloves when setting the trap  (Eastern moles) or placing the bait (Star-nosed moles) to keep human scent off the trap or bait. Follow the instructions on the package. To win this battle you must be patient and persistent. Start now!
Because moles have damaged your lawn (looking for food), you might consider checking for grubs as well. Open these links:
How to Choose & Apply Grub Control Products-MSU - how to check for grubs, but dig a bit deeper as it's still early in the season & the grubs may still be deeper in the soil.
Effective Home Lawn Grub Control-MSU
Controlling grubs in lawns is best done (using the recommended active ingredient in the article): a) preventively in June / July to kill newly hatched grubs when they hatch and feed on turf roots in starting in early August or b) curatively (not quite as effective) in September / early October or April. See the first link above and these links for more grub control info:
Managing White Grubs in Turfgrass-Purdue
Current Insecticide Approaches for White Grubs-UMass
How Do I Treat for Grubs in My Lawn-UNH
A well-maintained lawn (fertilized, irrigated, mowed high...) can tolerate 5 grubs per sq ft without looking damaged. Please understand that ZERO grubs in a lawn is an unrealistic and expensive goal and an excessive use of chemicals which is harmful to the environment. MSU Extension does not endorse any retailers or brands so we only recommend active ingredients.
I'm also going to suggest doing a soil test (something you can do now). Knowing the type and fertility of your soil is the starting point to establishing & maintaining a strong native plant area that can resist diseases, weeds, moss and insects/grubs and look great without wasting material or $. More info here: Don't Guess-Soil Test-MSU and MSU Home Soil Test-self mailer
Good luck!
Dick M. Replied March 14, 2026, 8:58 PM EDT

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