Mole Damage to Artificial Turf: How to Prevent and Fix It

When mole damage, the disruption caused by moles digging tunnels under lawns, often mistaken for root damage or erosion. Also known as mole runs, it shows up as raised ridges and small mounds of dirt pushing up through synthetic grass—even though moles don’t eat the turf itself. They’re hunting worms and grubs, not your lawn, but their tunnels lift the backing of artificial grass, loosen the base layer, and create uneven spots that ruin the look and feel of your yard.

Artificial turf doesn’t grow, so it can’t recover like real grass. Once a mole pushes dirt up through the fibers, the damage stays. You can’t just water and wait. The real problem isn’t the mole—it’s the base. If your installation used poor drainage or loose infill, moles find it easy to tunnel. And once they start, they keep going. You’ll see the same spots reappear every spring. That’s not bad luck—it’s a sign your lawn wasn’t built to resist underground pests.

Fixing mole damage isn’t about poison or traps. It’s about rebuilding. Start by removing the loose turf over the tunnel, then scrape out the dirt and compact the base. Add a layer of crushed stone or gravel under the turf—it’s harder for moles to dig through. Re-lay the grass, re-spread the infill, and tamp it down. For long-term protection, install a buried barrier. Hardware cloth, buried 6 to 12 inches deep around the lawn’s edge, stops moles from entering. It’s not glamorous, but it works.

Some people try ultrasonic devices or mothballs. They don’t work. Others use poison worms—dangerous for pets and birds. The only proven method is physical prevention. If you’ve got moles, you need to change the ground beneath your turf, not just cover it up.

You’ll find real fixes below—not theory, not guesses. We’ve collected guides from UK gardeners who’ve dealt with this exact problem. You’ll learn how to spot mole tunnels before they ruin your lawn, what materials actually block moles, and how to repair damaged sections without replacing the whole yard. No fluff. No hype. Just what works.