Now that the snow is beginning to melt, it's time to start rejuvenating your lawn. If you've discovered mole holes in your yard, you know that you have a battle on your hands. During the spring, moles become active again. This is the time of year when you start noticing those distinctive mounds of dirt all over your yard. Unfortunately, those mounds can be bothersome. First, they're destroying your lawn. Second, they're leaving holes in your yard that any one could step into and injure themselves. If you've got moles, you need to get rid of them. If you don't want to harm them, you just want to send them on their way, here are four natural ways you can give them their marching orders.

Sprinkle Some Chili Powder

If you've got active mole holes, the first thing you should reach for is the chili powder. Moles hate the smell of chili powder. You might not realize this, but moles have very sensitive noses. Just a few whiffs of the chili powder will send them in the opposite direction. All you need to do is sprinkle a generous amount of chili powder around the opening of the mole hole. Repeat the application about once a week.

Cook Up Some Garlic

If you use a lot of garlic in the kitchen, put some of it to good use in the yard. Stick several cloves in a food processor and grind them to a nice pulp. Stick the garlic in a bucket and add about a gallon of water. Pour the garlic water down all the open mole holes you can find. You can also add about a ¼ cup of dish detergent to help the garlic scent adhere to the walls of the mole tunnels. Repeat this application about once a week as well.

Give the Ground a Citrus Scent

If you've got mole holes that haven't been used in a while, you'll still want to treat the mounds. You never know when the moles will start returning to old tunnels. Take several oranges or lemons and cut them into thin slices. Remove the top layer of soil from the inactive mounds and toss the citrus slices on to the ground. Use your shovel to work the slices into the ground and then cover the area back up with the soil. The citrus scent will seep into the soil and deter the moles from returning to that area.

Bring Home a Pet

If you don't have a family pet, it's time to get one. Moles are naturally timid creatures. If you have a dog or cat roaming the backyard, moles will move on to someone elses yard. Be sure to have your pets in the yard during the early morning and late evening, when moles are their most active.

If you've got a problem with moles, use the tips provided here to help get rid of them. If you continue to have an issue with moles, contact an exterminator near you. They'll help you eradicate the problem once and for all. For more information, check websites like http://www.bugbusterssc.net.