Gophers vs. Moles vs. Voles – what’s the difference?
Before buying a mole repeller, you must ensure what you are dealing with. Maybe you are dealing with gophers or voles and are mistaking them for moles.
You will have to go for a different kind of repellent. Therefore, understanding the difference between them is essential.
What are gophers?
Gophers are about the same size as squirrels, and they prefer eating roots and bubs. They can also pull the entire plants underground for eating. Their mounds are fan-shaped and are flatter from the top compared to moles, and they also have a hole aside.
What are voles?
These critters look like mice, and they feed on stems and shrubs closer to their holes. They only spend a short time above the ground. They also leave numerous small holes so they can build a web of small interconnected tunnels.
What are moles?
These animals don’t come above ground too much as they prefer eating grubs and bugs in the vegetation or the soil. Mole tunnels are crisscrossing and can devastate rose plants when you are looking to mow them.
You can identify molehills and mounds pretty comfortably. They have recognizable rounded volcanic-shaped mounds.
Do mole repellents work for gophers & voles as well?
Now, the question is – does a mole repellent work for voles and gophers too? It is essential to understand that moles are different animals from gophers and voles.
Voles and gophers are commonly mistaken for moles, and people tend to use the same repellants for all three animals.
While some products might be effective for all three animals, not all mole repellents will work for voles or gophers. Therefore, you have to be careful which type of repellent you’re looking for when buying these repellents.
You have to decide whether you are dealing with the issue involving all three of these animals or are you looking for a repellent that works explicitly for one of these animals.
Make your decisions based on the scope of the problems you are dealing with. Otherwise, you will buy the wrong repellant that won’t work.
Types of mole repellents & how to use them
There are different types of mole repellents you can find on the market. You can deal with your pest infestation in a suitable way for your yard. We will discuss each of these types one by one in the following text,
Natural mole repellents
These repellants include the liquid, granulated, or spray types, and their only defining factor is that they are made of natural ingredients. These ingredients include castor oil, garlic, citronella oil, and others. These are better than mole traps as they are not harmful.
The natural deterrents, such as castor oil granules, have powerful smells that these moles don’t like, and they might also give a flavor to the worms and grubs in the soil that models don’t eat. As a result, moles tend to stay away and look for food elsewhere.
Ultrasonic mole repellents
These mole repellents exploit the delicate sensory organs that moles have. They use low-frequency ultrasonic waves that are up to 400 Hz. These waves are sent into the ground to irritate, repel, and distract all such subterranean pests.
Ultrasonic repellents are commonly used products as they are easier to use than other repellents. They also don’t require much attention, and you won’t have to go for reapplication. In addition, many repellents are now powered by solar energy.
You will only have to place such a solar mole repellent in a good location. Just leave these solar-powered mole repellers out there to do their jobs.
Granulated mole repellents
These repellents include both natural and chemical-based products, increasing the product’s overall efficacy. You can sprinkle mole repellent granules using your hand or directly from the bag, or you can use the spreader if you want to disburse it more uniformly.
These repellants tend to last longer compared to their spray or liquid counterparts. However, you will have to reapply them from time to time for a more continued effect. Make sure to go for product recommendations for initial application methods and frequency of reapplication.
Liquid mole repellents
These repellents tend to be the most complicated of them all. You will have to mix them with dish soap or dilute them with water before using them in your yard.
If you use the wrong ratio while mixing the repellent, the solution might be ineffective or extra potent, damaging the lawn.
A liquid-repellent can also be made of natural or chemical ingredients, and it also comes in large quantities. Therefore, you will guarantee that you will always have more than enough to keep your yard safe.
Spray-based mole repellents
These repellents are also available in their natural and chemical-based variants. However, you will have to reapply them at a much higher frequency than other repellent types.
But they are the second easiest repellent type to use after their ultrasonic counterparts. As soon as you bring your repellent home, start spraying it on your yard as per the instructions, and then reapply it accordingly.
Natural vs. Chemical mole repellents
You have to understand how natural and chemical mole repellents work and what suitable scenarios.
Natural mole repellents
These repellents can be spray-based, coarse, or in the form of concentrated liquid. They only have natural ingredients in them. Such repellents are only effective if you apply them correctly with the correct ratio or dosage.
These repellents are 100 percent safe for the environment, and they don’t leave any residue. Some of these products are even safe for pets and kids too.
Chemical-based mole repellents
These repellents can also be spray-based, granulated, or in the form of concentrated liquid. Furthermore, most of them frequently use castor oil as a base ingredient. But they also have some additional additives that increase the overall capability of the repellant to deter moles.
These chemicals also help the replies last longer, even in poor weather conditions. And you can find a variety of products available for mole extermination in addition to repelling them.
How to get rid of moles naturally?
There are different types of homemade mole repellents you can make right in the comfort of your home. They are all made of natural ingredients, so they are not harmful to kids or pets in your home.
There are certain smells that moles don’t like. Some of the most common home remedies for repelling moles include:
- castor oil,
- red pepper,
- garlic,
- cinnamon,
- cayenne pepper.
Moreover, you can use coffee grounds or cat litter to deter mole activity from your yard.
You can also go for planting flowers in your yard, including marigolds and daffodils. These are natural mole repellents as daffodil bulbs are toxic, and moles will avoid their roots. At the same time, marigolds are too aromatic for them, and they have pyrethrins that will keep the soil bugs away that moles eat.
As a result, they will keep moles away as they will have less to feed on and look elsewhere. Furthermore, any plant from the allium family is a natural mole repellent.
Eucalyptus and mint oil are also pretty effective in getting rid of these moles.
Moles also don’t like the smell of tar, and some people also use dried blood or even tobacco to control moles from their yard.
Also, keep your lawn tidy and clean so no bugs enter the soil because moles eat these bugs, and if they don’t have food to eat in your yard, they will stay away from it.
FAQs
Do ultrasonic mole repellents work?
Ultrasonic mole repellers will only work if they are good quality and can produce ultrasonic waves up to 400 Hz. Anything under that and the repellent won’t work. So, make sure to go for a repellent rated to produce ultrasonic waves at least at this frequency.
What scent do moles hate?
Moles despise the scent of tar, and they don’t like dried blood as well as tobacco. They also don’t like coffee grounds and marigolds. These are the scents that will keep moles away from your yard.
Can I get rid of ground moles permanently?
It’s pretty hard to get rid of these moles permanently. They can return to your yard each year if you don’t tidy up your lawn.
You have to ensure that you don’t provide them with the ideal environment to enter your lawn. They will never enter your yard if they don’t find any bugs, grubs, or worms to feed on.
How do we prevent moles from coming back?
Keep your yard clean and use mole repellents regularly. They live in grubs, so you need to eliminate their food source.
You can use daffodils and marigolds and even dig a trench. Coffee grounds, dried blood, peppers, caster, and mint oils are highly effective in keeping moles away and preventing them from coming back.
Conclusion
The best mole repellent on the market today is the IMustGarden’s Mole & Vole Repellent. The best thing about this repellent is that it is made of all-natural ingredients and has a pleasant smell. So, it won’t be discomfiting for kids and pets in your home.
A single 10 lbs pack of this repellent can cover up to 10,000 sq. ft. It is an effective gopher repellent and can tackle armadillos, skunks, ground squirrels, chipmunks, and other burrowing animals.
For excellent repellency, it contains up to 20 percent castor oil and other botanical oils. This mole repellent is earth, people, and pet friendly.