The 6 Best Mole Killers That Actually Work

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Mole killers are poison baits shaped like worms, since moles eat insects and earthworms rather than seed bait. They reduce a mole problem quickly, but they carry a secondary poisoning risk, and a trap is the more reliable fix. Here is what actually works.

Key takeaways
  • Worm-shaped baits are the only poison moles will eat.
  • Place bait in active tunnels, not on the lawn surface.
  • Poison carries a secondary poisoning risk to pets and predators.
  • Trapping is more reliable than poison for moles.

Quick Comparison

ProductTypeBest ForBuy
Tomcat Mole Killer 12 WormsWorm baitBest OverallCheck price
Talpirid 20 Worm BaitsWorm baitBest ProfessionalCheck price
Victor Poison Moleworms 10-PackWorm baitBest MolewormsCheck price
Amdro Mole & Gopher BaitGranular baitBest ValueCheck price
Tomcat Mole & Gopher BaitGranular baitBest ReadyCheck price
Motomco 12 Worm BaitWorm baitBest WormsCheck price

Best Overall: Tomcat Mole Killer 12 Worms

Tomcat Mole Killer 12 WormsBest Overall
Tomcat Mole Killer 12 Worms
Type
Worm bait
Count
12 worms
Active
Poison
Placement
Active tunnels
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Tomcat Mole Killer comes as 12 worm-shaped baits that moles mistake for earthworms. Place them in active tunnels, and the mole eats the bait and dies.

The worm shape is what matters, since moles ignore seed and pellet baits.

What I like
+Worm-shaped bait moles eat
+Trusted brand
+Easy to place in tunnels
+Reduces a mole quickly
What I don’t like
−Poison risk to pets and predators
−Trap is more reliable
−Must place in active tunnels

Best Professional: Talpirid 20 Worm Baits

Talpirid 20 Worm BaitsBest Professional
Talpirid 20 Worm Baits
Type
Worm bait
Active Ingredient
Bromethalin 0.025 percent
Count
20 worms
Target
Moles only, not gophers
Use
Underground, in active tunnels
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Talpirid is the bait that mole control write ups keep coming back to, and the 20 worm box is the standard size. The design is the clever part: it is a worm shaped bait, so a mole finds it while doing what a mole already does, which is hunt earthworms down an active tunnel rather than browse something left on the surface.

The active ingredient is bromethalin at 0.025 percent, and the label is deliberately narrow: it is a mole bait listed for underground use in lawns and gardens, and it does not work on gophers.

That narrowness is also why the label has to be taken seriously. This is a poison, so keep it away from children and pets, place it only in tunnels you can trace from the surface, and follow the directions exactly. If you would rather not use poison at all, a trap set in an active tunnel is the alternative, and it is covered further down this list.

What I like
+Worm shaped bait, so it matches what a mole is already hunting
+Twenty baits is enough for a persistent mole
+The bait most often named in professional mole control
+Placed underground, so it stays out of reach of birds and pets
What I don’t like
−A poison, with the handling rules that come with one
−Does nothing for gophers
−You have to find an active tunnel first, which is the actual skill

Best Moleworms: Victor Poison Moleworms 10-Pack

Victor Poison Moleworms 10-PackBest Moleworms
Victor Poison Moleworms 10-Pack
Type
Worm bait
Count
10 worms
Brand
Victor
Placement
Active tunnels
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Victor Poison Moleworms are worm-shaped baits in a 10-pack, shaped and scented to appeal to moles. Place them in active tunnels for the mole to find.

The 10-pack is the right size for a typical yard.

What I like
+Worm-shaped bait
+Trusted brand
+10-pack for a typical yard
+Easy to place
What I don’t like
−Poison risk
−Trap is more reliable
−Must place in active tunnels

Best Value: Amdro Mole & Gopher Bait

Amdro Mole & Gopher BaitBest Value
Amdro Mole & Gopher Bait
Type
Granular bait
Size
1 lb
Target
Moles and gophers
Feature
Value pricing
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Amdro Mole & Gopher Bait is a granular bait in a 1 lb bag that kills moles and gophers. It is the economical choice for a larger area.

The granular form covers more tunnels for less money.

What I like
+Economical 1 lb bag
+Covers moles and gophers
+Ready to use
+Good coverage
What I don’t like
−Granular is less targeted than worms
−Poison risk
−Trap is more reliable

Best Ready: Tomcat Mole & Gopher Bait

Tomcat Mole & Gopher BaitBest Ready
Tomcat Mole & Gopher Bait
Type
Granular bait
Size
6 oz
Target
Moles and gophers
Feature
Ready to use
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Tomcat Mole & Gopher Bait is a ready-to-use granular bait in a 6 oz size, for a smaller problem or first treatment. It is the convenient ready-to-use option.

The 6 oz size is the right amount for a single mole problem.

What I like
+Ready to use
+Good size for one mole
+Trusted brand
+Easy application
What I don’t like
−Granular less targeted
−Poison risk
−Trap is more reliable

Best Worms: Motomco 12 Worm Bait

Motomco 12 Worm BaitBest Worms
Motomco 12 Worm Bait
Type
Worm bait
Count
12 worms
Brand
Motomco
Placement
Active tunnels
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Motomco’s 12-worm mole killer is another worm-shaped bait option, the same effective approach with a different brand. It is the alternative to Tomcat for worm bait.

The worm shape is the key, since moles eat worms rather than seed bait.

What I like
+Worm-shaped bait
+12 worms
+Effective formula
+Easy to place
What I don’t like
−Poison risk
−Trap is more reliable
−Must place in active tunnels

Poison vs. Trapping

Trapping is more reliable. Moles eat insects and earthworms, so poison only works if the mole eats the bait, and it can miss. A well-placed scissor or choker trap removes the mole reliably.

Poison carries a secondary risk. A poisoned mole can be eaten by a pet or predator, which is then poisoned too. Keep pets away and follow the label.

Identify active tunnels first. Flatten tunnels, mark them, and place bait or traps in the ones that reappear.

Frequently Asked Questions

Worm-shaped baits like Tomcat Mole Killer or Bell Talpirid, placed in active tunnels. But trapping is more reliable than poison for moles.

Wild Animals Central
About the author
Wild Animals Central Editorial Team

I write these guides myself, and I am not a call center. I read the state rules and the agency guidance, and write plain-English guides so you know what to expect before you spend money.

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