Despite what you may think, moles are beneficial to your garden. These furry animals devour the larvae of several harmful insects, along with their tunneling helps aerate your soil. Still, many gardeners don’t enjoy the mess moles may make since they push aside plant roots and create mounds of dirt across lawns and in flower beds. As opposed to putting poisons on your yard that could harm children, pets and wildlife, you can make your own mole deterrent using household components, certain plants or hair.
Mole Repellent Spray
A simple mixture of 1/2 cup of castor oil and 1/2 cup of liquid dish soap will keep moles at bay. Combine both ingredients in a jar and keep this on hand. When you’re prepared to work with the repellent, mix 3 tablespoons of it with a gallon of warm water. Pour this solution into a watering can and then pour it about the areas of the garden where you don’t need moles to go. You don’t have to saturate the area with the option, just dampen it.
Using Your Bean
Like the oil, moles can also be repelled from the beans of the castor plant (Ricinus communis). If you’re able to locate castor beans, then drop a few into the tunnel entries and then company down the soil to shut off the entry. The smell of the beans will keep the moles from returning to the exact same spot. Castor beans are toxic. In case you’ve got a dog that is prone to digging and eating exactly what it digs up, do not use this method to deter moles.
Plant Deterrents
Castor bean plants and mole plants (Euphorbia lathyris) both deter moles. You can plant these two species around your lawn or in some specific places where you don’t need the moles to dig. With its purple leaves and clusters of red flowers, castor bean is a striking plant and could be grown as an annual in all U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones. As with other euphorbia species, mole plants have an intriguing kind. They grow best in USDA zones 5 through 9. Mole plants have toxic sap, and castor bean seeds are toxic and so shouldn’t be implanted where curious children could get to them.
Hairy Solution
The smell of dog or human hair tells moles an area isn’t safe for digging. Placing hair from the own hair brush or your dog’s brush all around your garden may repel moles. Since clumps of hair is not the most attractive addition to the garden, you can hide the hair. If moles have already arrived to your yard, you can stick hair down tunnel entries to deter them.
Spicy Solution
A mix of chili powder and garlic powder may appear delicious to you, but moles can’t stand the hot mixture. Should you visit mole mounds pop up in your yard, sprinkle a few of this mixture into the tunnel entry to keep the moles from twisting. The mixture works best at the tunnels, but you could also sprinkle it about areas of the garden where you don’t need moles to go. The mix may also keep cats from digging in these areas.