Moles can be frustrating for any gardener. Although they help aerate soil and eat harmful insects, their tunneling damages plants and leaves unsightly mounds.
Over time, I’ve found several effective, natural ways to deal with these pests. Here’s my tried-and-true guide to keeping moles out of the garden.
1. Understanding Mole Behavior
Moles come to gardens for two main reasons: food and soil that’s easy to tunnel through. Knowing this has helped me develop a strategy to make my garden less appealing to them.
2. Reducing Their Food Source
Moles mainly feed on grubs and insects, so limiting their food source can be effective. I use beneficial nematodes, which target and reduce grub populations without harming earthworms. By naturally controlling the grubs, moles have less reason to stay.
3. Planting Mole-Repellent Plants
Certain plants, like marigolds, castor beans, garlic, and euphorbia, naturally repel moles. The scent of castor bean plants, in particular, seems to discourage them. Planting these around my garden has helped to keep moles from tunneling in specific areas.
4. Applying a Castor Oil and Dawn Soap Solution
One of the most effective mole deterrents I’ve used is a homemade mix of castor oil and Dawn soap. Here’s the recipe:
- Mix three tablespoons of castor oil with one tablespoon of Dawn soap in a gallon of water.
- Spray the solution on areas with mole activity.
Reapply every few weeks or after heavy rain. This mix has consistently kept moles from my flower beds and vegetable garden.
5. Using Dawn Soap and Water Solution Alone
When I don’t have castor oil on hand, I use a simple Dawn soap and water mixture. I mix two tablespoons of Dawn soap with a gallon of water and pour it directly into the mole tunnels. This creates an uncomfortable environment for them, and I’ve found it works well if applied regularly.
6. Creating Noise and Vibration in the Garden
Moles are sensitive to sound and vibration, so setting up wind chimes, ultrasonic repellents, or even homemade noisemakers can deter them. I place metal rods in the ground with empty bottles on top, which rattle when it’s windy. The vibrations seem to keep moles away from those areas.
7. Keeping the Soil Compact
Moles prefer loose, moist soil, so I compact the soil in certain areas to make it less attractive for tunneling. While I don’t compact my entire garden, I press down soil around beds where I want extra protection. This small adjustment has made it harder for moles to establish tunnels.
8. Adding a Gravel Barrier
Digging a shallow trench around vulnerable areas and filling it with gravel has helped me establish a mole barrier. Moles dislike rocky soil, so they avoid crossing gravel-lined borders. This approach requires a bit of effort but provides a lasting solution for mole-prone areas.
9. Encouraging Natural Predators
Owls, hawks, and even snakes are natural predators of moles. I set up owl nesting boxes on my property to attract these helpful birds. Having owls around has naturally reduced mole activity since they keep the population in check.
10. Using Coffee Grounds as a Natural Repellent
One unique method I discovered is using coffee grounds in the garden. Moles dislike the strong smell, and the grounds can deter them from digging. After brewing my morning coffee, I spread the used coffee grounds around mole tunnels and the areas I want to protect. Not only does this help keep moles away, but it also adds nutrients to the soil, making it a win-win. I refresh the coffee grounds every few days to maintain the scent, especially after rain.
Over To You…
Managing moles naturally requires patience and persistence, but these methods have kept my garden relatively mole-free. With options like castor oil, Dawn soap solutions, coffee grounds, and a bit of landscaping adjustment, I’ve been able to keep moles at bay while maintaining an eco-friendly garden. If you’re dealing with moles, try a combination of these methods to find what works best for your garden setup.