Are you tired of moles and other burrowing critters digging up your garden or damaging your lawn? The good news is that Solar Mole Deterrent offers a humane and effective solution.
Solar sonic deterrents are designed to create an uncomfortable environment for the mole, giving them no choice but to move elsewhere.
Growing up in Alaska, I didn’t have to worry about too many burrowing animals so I never gave them much thought. After spending some time in Kentucky and North Texas, I started to notice that more and more holes would pop up in my backyard.
I decided to look into some options that would deter digging animals like moles. I had 4 criteria going into my search:
- Absolutely cannot be harmful to animals
- Inexpensive
- Easy to use and install
- Solar powered
What Is A Solar Mole Deterrent?
In general, a solar mole deterrent is a sonic device that emits a high-frequency sound that only animals within the targeted area can hear. The animal senses danger and will avoid the triggering zone.
There are two types of deterrents available: one emits a high-pitched sound that can be heard by humans but not by moles, while the other emits a lower frequency sound audible only to the rodents. Both have proven extremely successful in reducing damage caused by these pesky creatures.
How Does A Solar Sonic Mole Deterrent Work?
Solar-powered mole repellents have two elements: a controller unit that gathers sunlight and an emitter that you put in the ground. When animals pass through the detecting zone, sensors pick them up. The controller activates and emits a high-pitched sound, warning the creature to keep away.
The controller uses solar power to provide a constant voltage that protects your lawn or garden from burrowing animals like moles and gophers for up to 18 hours per day.
Similar to other solar-powered things (solar garden lights, solar bug zappers, etc) solar mole deterrents have a small battery that stores energy so that they can work through the night.
Even though moles aren’t nocturnal as many people believe, they are still active for a portion of the night, so having that battery storage is important to keep your deterrent working until sunrise.
Do Solar Mole Deterrents Work?
In general, data shows that solar mole deterrents do work. The trick is finding an effective product, installing it properly, and maintaining good habits around your yard so you can enjoy peace of mind knowing they won’t be coming back.
There are a ton of options available on the market today…some more expensive than others…but most of them will get the job done.
Solar mole deterrents are an effective and humane way to protect your garden from burrowing animals like moles, gophers, squirrels, and rodents without resorting to harsh chemicals or traps that could harm your pets or family members.
Just make sure you pick a high-quality product from a reputable brand, install it properly and maintain habits that will help keep your garden protected.
Do Vibrations Get Rid Of Moles?
Vibrations are often not effective on their own in ridding moles and other burrowing animals. This is why most deterrents utilize both sound and vibration. They’ll produce high-pitched noises that only moles can hear, driving them away without causing any damage.
It’s important to point out that vibration alone can work in some cases, but it doesn’t always do the trick…and when it does work it’s usually only temporary, as soon as the vibrations stop, the moles will return.
That said, some people report success using vibrating devices like underground dog fences or even an ultrasonic pest repellent (the type you plug into your outlet.)
Some people have even had success using various types of solar-powered pest deterrent lighting, which I’ve written about over here in this article.
Are Solar Mole Deterrents Easy To Install?
Installation is pretty easy with most solar mole deterrents, but they do require some effort. They must be placed in an area where the sun will reach them for maximum efficiency and they should be laid out in your yard to maximize range and efficiency.
Luckily, most will come with instructions on placement and range. Some will even come with stakes that can be used to mark where the signal goes, helping you figure out which areas need protection and ensuring your deterrent is working at its best.
After deciding on a placement, most models will simply press into the ground a few inches…similar to a tent stake. Just make sure enough is in the ground to maximize effect while still allowing the top solar panel to receive adequate sunlight.
As for a recommendation, I like this four-pack by Runadi…it’s highly rated by other users and works on moles, gophers, snakes, and other burrowing animals.
You should also check on placement periodically so it doesn’t get covered up by grass or dirt over time, requiring some re-arranging of rocks, plants, etc.
If the area where you live doesn’t get a lot of sun during certain parts of the year or if your yard is shaded most of the time, there are products that come with rechargeable batteries instead.
These rechargeable batteries can be charged indoors and then used outside for protection at night…although keep in mind they will only work well for a few hours, so you’ll need to supplement with other products if your yard requires constant protection.
What Are The Pros And Cons Of Solar Mole Deterrents?
Solar mole deterrents aren’t a hugely popular item, so information can be a little thin when it comes to specific questions you might have. I’ve compiled a Pro/Con list to give a quick reference to answer some questions you might have.
Pros
- Humane
- Easy to Install
- No Harsh Chemicals or Poisons
- Newer Models Have Extensive Range
- High Durability…Just Clean the Solar Lenses Periodically
Cons
- Vibrations and/or sounds don’t always work on their own.
- May need to supplement with other products like lights, batteries, etc., if you need constant protection
- Can Be More Expensive Than People Might Expect
- Some Models May Also Deter Animals or Birds That You’d Like to Keep Around
If you’ve tried everything else to no avail, solar mole deterrents are definitely something worth trying in order to rid yourself of moles without harming them or your garden in the process. They’re humane and effective when installed properly!
Final Thoughts
Solar mole deterrents can be a good way to rid your garden and lawn of digging rodents without resorting to traps or chemicals that could harm you, animals, or family members.
As with any product on the market, make sure you buy from a reputable brand and pick high-quality products for the best results.
Make sure you read installation instructions and map the best layout for your yard to get maximum sunlight and the most effective deployment.
If you don’t get a lot of sunlight in your area or if your yard is shaded for much of the year, consider products that have rechargeable batteries instead. These also work well for smaller yards with lower levels of activity.
