Moles are tearing up lawns across America, and a surprising DIY remedy is making waves: Dawn dish soap. This viral solution, a mix of soap and castor oil, promises to drive moles away by disrupting their food supply. But experts are divided, with concerns ranging from soil damage to limited effectiveness.
Is this blue-bottle fix worth trying or just another backyard myth? Here are some things you need to know before giving it a go.
The Problem with Moles
Moles are solitary, territorial creatures with remarkable digging capabilities, creating up to 100 feet of new tunnels daily in moist soil. They construct two distinct types of burrow systems: shallow hunting tunnels for pursuing earthworms and grubs, and deeper permanent tunnels (6-20 inches below the surface) for nesting and food storage.
These industrious creatures consume nearly their entire body weight in food each day. Their constant tunneling activity is driven by their insatiable appetite and high metabolism, requiring them to feed every few hours to maintain their energy levels.
While moles rarely surface except during mating season, their presence becomes evident through the extensive damage they cause to lawns and gardens. They prefer moist, sandy loam soils where digging is easier, avoiding heavy clay or stony soils that make tunneling difficult.
Their keen sense of smell and touch helps them detect vibrations from passing insects, making them efficient hunters in their underground domain. Some mole populations may use the same burrow system continuously for up to eight years if the area provides an abundant food source.
Risks to Your Property
Mole activity poses several significant challenges for property owners. Their tunneling can weaken soil structure, making it more prone to erosion and compaction. The damage extends beyond aesthetics, potentially causing:
- Unstable ground creates trip hazards
- Root system damage affecting plant health
- Foundation weakening in severe cases
- Creation of entry points for other pests
- Disruption of lawn irrigation systems
The Dawn Soap Solution
The Recipe:
- 6 ounces of castor oil
- 2 tablespoons of Dawn dish soap
- 3 quarts of warm water
This mixture is meant to deter earthworms and insects from treated areas, theoretically removing the mole’s food source and encouraging relocation. However, it’s important to note that Dawn soap contains sodium lauryl sulfate, which can be harmful to soil ecosystems and potentially irritating to pets and children.
How It Works
The theory suggests that the castor oil-soap combination creates an unpleasant environment for both moles and their prey. The soap acts as an emulsifier, helping the castor oil mix with water and penetrate the soil.
However, this solution is not scientifically proven to be effective, and its impact on beneficial soil organisms should be considered.
Effectiveness & Limitations
The Dawn soap method faces several significant limitations:
- Requires frequent reapplication, especially after rainfall
- May simply relocate moles to other parts of your yard
- Can potentially harm beneficial soil organisms
- Not classified as a natural solution despite marketing claims
Alternative Control Methods
More reliable mole control options include:
- Professional trapping services, which are most effective in spring and fall
- Installation of underground barriers with fine wire mesh
- Removal of grubs and insects using targeted pest control
- Professional-grade repellents containing castor oil and other natural deterrents
Environmental Considerations
While moles are often viewed as pests, they provide several ecological benefits:
- Natural soil aeration
- Control of harmful garden insects
- Improved soil drainage
- Enhanced soil structure through tunneling activity
When to Seek Professional Help
Professional intervention may be necessary when:
- Multiple control methods have failed
- Property damage becomes severe
- Mole activity threatens structural elements
- Large areas are affected
- Legal restrictions apply to DIY control methods
While Dawn dish soap combined with castor oil offers an accessible DIY approach to mole control, its effectiveness remains questionable and may potentially harm soil health. Before implementing any mole control strategy, consider both the extent of the problem and the long-term impact of your chosen solution.
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Nancy has been a plant person from an early age. That interest blossomed into a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Nancy worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.