Notorious for burrowing into soil and creating mounds of dirt, moles spend most of their day underground. These predominantly subterranean mammals can be a bane or blessing to developed landscapes. Wherever they are present in substantial numbers, they play key roles as tunnel diggers and insectivores. These solitary animals have a phenomenally well-developed sense of touch and smell.
Members of the Talpidae family, moles are unsurprisingly intelligent in their dark and oxygen-poor territories. Though they have partly lost the auditory and visual abilities used by mammals to hunt above ground, they “see” by detecting stereo odor cues or gradients. These help them navigate toward the exact source of a scent. They often hone in on root-eating critters. In the process, they can damage entire plots of plants without ever surfacing.
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Some of the most common species of moles include the eastern mole (Scalopus aquaticus), star-nosed mole (Condylura cristata), and the American shrew mole (Neurotrichus gibbsii). Often perceived as agricultural pests in the US, they can cause extensive damage to ornamental gardens and pasturelands. Farmers may oftentimes opt to trap or kill them. Due to their sensitive noses, however, they can also be repelled by the most strongly-scented plants.
1) Lavender (Lavandula spp.)
When one thinks of fragrant plants, one of the first to come to mind is always lavender. English lavender (L. angustifolia), French lavender (L. pedunculata), and spike lavender (L. latifolia) are just a few of the many widely cultivated Lavandula species. These have incredibly valuable oils with applications in the pharmaceutical, culinary, and cosmetic industries. While we humans take comfort from their alluring scents, many animals absolutely despise them.
Lavender oils are rich in potent phytochemicals. These include linalool, caryophyllene, camphor, and limonene, though these vary in concentration depending on ambient conditions and species. Collectively, they deter a wide assortment of small and large pests – from animals that are as tiny as ticks to grazers as large as adult deer.
As lavender roots tend to repel many of the insects that attract moles, their stands should help lower the chances of them terrorizing your garden. If your area does not meet the basic growth requirements of lavender species, which favor dry conditions, you may also use their oils to repel pests. Spray a water-diluted solution of lavender extract around suspected molehills.
2) Crown imperial (Fritillaria imperialis)
Crown imperial is frequently cultivated as an ornamental plant because of its eye-catching inflorescences. As suggested by its common name, it produces whorls of blooms that are comparable to the appearance of an emperor’s crown. Downward-facing, the red-orange flowers are topped by a flurry of upright leaves. These are borne on floral stalks that can measure as tall as 3 feet (1 meter).
Both the flowers and the root system of the crown imperial produce a strong scent. This resembles the odor of skunks or foxes, which will readily prey on moles and many other small mammals when they get the chance. It’s safe to say that moles are unlikely to approach the scented bulbs of fritillaries, especially when these are planted in considerably-sized stands. Malodorous yet beautiful and beneficial in the garden, this species is definitely not your ordinary ornamental!
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Members of the Fritillaria genus contain a fascinating and impressively large selection of alkaloids, terpenoids, volatile components, and glycosides. These have both traditional and modern uses as pharmaceutical compounds. Note that their presence does render the plant toxic to both humans and domesticated pets. It would be prudent to avoid growing this species if children or pets roam the garden.
3) Daffodils (Narcissus spp.)
Best known as early spring bloomers, daffodils are some of the most popularly cultivated ornamentals. These perennial “geophytes” consist of underground storage bulbs with alternating periods of dormancy and growth. Typically, their exposure to cold temperatures marks the onset of their growth period, whereas summer temperatures cause them to die back. The growth period is just the right length of time for the bulbs to produce short-lived foliage and attractive flowers.
Though a daffodil’s flowers are arguably its most eye-catching features, its mechanism for pest repellence lies within its bulbs. These contain a high concentration of lycorine, a toxic chemical that can cause nausea, abdominal pain, and other unpleasant symptoms when it is ingested by humans or animals. Other parts of the plant contain lower concentrations of lycorine and alkaloids.
You’d be hard-pressed to find a mole scavenging through plots of daffodil bulbs, especially during their growth period. These toxic storage organs also repel larger grazers and problematic insects. They are thus perfect for adding a subterranean layer of protection to your spring garden. Plant them in well-draining soil to ensure that they last through the seasons.
4) Castor bean (Ricinus communis)
Now grown as a decorative species in many tropical regions, the castor bean or castor oil plant is a flowering member of the Euphorbiaceae family. This fast-growing perennial can be grown as a shrub or small tree as its shoot may measure as much as 39 feet (12 meters) tall. It produces large, palm-shaped leaves with up to 12 roughly-margined lobes. From June to October, its inflorescences are set apart by their petal-less, spike-shaped flowers.
Once the castor oil plant’s flowers are fertilized, they develop into capsules containing large, mottled beans. Highly toxic, these beans contain ricin, a potent protein that can be lethal to humans at an ingested dose of just 4 – 8 seeds! When animals accidentally consume the ricin-rich seeds, they too may suffer from persistent and markedly unpleasant symptoms.
Castor beans have been used to control infestations of moles. The oils they contain are repulsive to these small insectivores, so they are likely to turn around in their tunnels once they get a whiff of them. Intact beans on the plant itself may unfortunately not do the trick. Their oils need to be extracted and added into a liquid-based repellent. This may then be sprayed around molehills and around the crown of vulnerable plants. Be extra careful when handling the beans and oils as these may cause allergies.
5) Marigolds (Tagetes spp.)
Globally valued for their vivid, yellow to red-orange blooms, marigolds are frequently grown as annuals or perennials in ornamental gardens. The floral heads of these sun-loving plants consist of layers of delicate petals. Their dark-green, multilobed leaves possess oils with insect-repellent properties. These emit a pungent scent, one which helps mask the aroma of any nearby plants. This is why marigolds are often considered ideal companion plants for vulnerable crops, like tomatoes and potatoes.
The root system of marigolds likewise exudes compounds, like thiophenes, that may repel subterranean insects like nematodes. These can help repel moles in an indirect manner – by repelling their prey. The entire plant is thus quite effective at deterring pests above and below the ground. For best results, grow them in rows in between or around vegetables and herbs.
French marigold (T. patula), Mexican marigold (T. erecta), and southern marigold (T. minuta) are some of the most commonly grown species in the Tagetes genus. These tend to flourish in most types of soils, with some having notable tolerances toward dry conditions. While they can aid in the protection of many vegetables, do not plant them next to legumes or cabbage.
6) Onions (Allium cepa)
The common onion and its many botanical varieties are some of the most valued crops in the culinary industry. Imparting a wealth of flavor to complex dishes, they are loaded with polyphenols and sulfur-rich amino acids. Both their bulbs and leaves contain strongly-scented oils with the potential to be natural pesticides. Toxic to cats, dogs, and many other small mammals, the odorous bulbs are repulsive to moles.
Rows of onion bulbs can be used as a living, subterranean shield against moles attempting to come too close to your vegetable or flower patches. Nonetheless, do note that onions may attract a number of unfavorable insects if they are grown in suboptimal conditions. The bulbs need to be healthy and pest-free to be effective, otherwise, their own pests may begin to attack the roots of nearby plants.
7) Caper spurge (Euphorbia lathyris)
Interestingly, the caper spurge is also commonly referred to as gopher plant or mole plant. It is said to repel moles and many other small mammals, though its effectiveness has yet to be tested in a scientifically acceptable manner. Either the odor given off by the plant or the toxic nature of its roots and shoots may keep those pesky moles out of an ornamental garden.
Generally grown as an annual herb, caper spurge contains juices that may irritate the skin upon contact. Like other members of the Euphorbiaceae family, its milky latex contains diterpenes with potentially carcinogenic effects. When any of this plant’s parts are ingested by pets, humans, or livestock, symptoms like diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting may ensue. One can reasonably expect that moles would also experience negative symptoms by inadvertently consuming portions of the roots.
While this species may aid in repelling moles from your garden, it may not be the best choice due to its capacity for self-seeding. It has the tendency to grow as a weed-like herb in areas with waste or polluted substrates. Moreover, it can be difficult to remove once its root system has become well-established. Though it certainly has its visual merits, consider growing it only if you are confident about managing its spread.
8) Garlic (Allium sativum)
Like onions, garlic can also be used to repel a wealth of common garden pests. It contains sulfuric compounds that emit strong and distinct odors once a part of the plant is damaged or crushed. Some gardeners mistakenly assume that intact and healthy garlic bulbs should effectively keep moles away. Note that they will only be effective if their scent is noticeable; this means that it would be wise to harvest the bulbs and then process the cloves for use as a more active repellent.
One of the best ways to take advantage of garlic’s pest-repellent properties is by creating a garlic tonic or garlic spray. Finely crush freshly harvested or store-bought cloves and mix the particles into a solution with fresh water and a pinch of cayenne pepper. The crushed cloves can also be sprinkled around or dropped into existing molehills, but the scent of a water-based garlic solution may permeate into deeper layers of substrate.
Consistently spray molehills or the areas around vulnerable plants to dissuade moles from laying claim to your garden. If the smell is strong enough to waft through their tunnels, they will most likely seek shelter and food elsewhere.
Source: https://gardencourte.com
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