Rarely seen aboveground, moles have tapered snouts and barely noticeable eyes. They don’t eat vegetation, but their constant tunneling for insects and worms can mar your lawn and garden and heave roots and seedlings from the ground. Even more destructive, tiny voles sometimes move into mole tunnels and proceed to eat flower bulbs, girdle the stems of woody plants and gnaw roots. Plants they don’t kill outright may be invaded by diseases or die from water stress during periods of hot, dry weather. To prevent these pests from ruining your garden, try the ideas below.
Two repellent plants
Site mole plants (Euphorbia lathyris) near tunnels to deter moles. Castor bean plants (Ricinus communis) also work, but these plants are toxic. Never put them where they would be accessible to children.
Good vibrations
Moles are sensitive to sound. Repel them by using one of the commercial sound devices sold at garden centers. Or make your own by planting 5-foot (1.5-meter) metal stakes by the tunnels and attaching empty plastic bottles to the tops so they knock about in the wind. Or, insert a child’s pinwheel every 10 feet (3 meters) or so into a mole run.
Repel moles
Moles may hate the smell of soiled cat litter even more than you do. Pour some down their tunnels. Or mix 1⁄2 cup (120 ml) of castor oil in 2 gallons (8 liters) of water and drench the molehills with it.
An organic vole repellent
If your vegetable garden or lawn shows signs of vole infestation, try a fertilizer that includes castor oil meal. This organic but poisonous product enriches the soil and discourages rodents of all sorts. Distribute several handfuls per square yard (square meter) and water it in; the effects of the repellent will last for several months.
Fortify a small garden plot
Fortify a small garden plot against intruders by digging a trench 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm) deep and 1 foot (30 cm) wide around the perimeter of the plot and filling it to the top with small pebbles or crushed gravel.
Pete Jenkins/iStockphoto
Deal with moles as soon as possible or their burrowing can destroy the garden.
