In This Article
In this article, I will cover 6 plants that repel moles for real.
In the garden, mole activity will create havoc. This is not because they eat worms or grubs but because their little mole tunnels are sometimes used by other burrowing rodents.
Moles, for the most part, are absolutely harmless to your plants. But mole tunnels will become unsightly when there are plenty of them.
Although many home remedies are available to remove moles from the garden, these are only temporary solutions.
In fact, there is no certain way to get rid of mole animals for good without taking aggressive measures.
The effects of their actions surface overnight when the lawn erupts in a range of brown molehills. Molehills are not as noticeable in beds and boundaries, but moles can be just as destructive here, destroying the soil and roots of your precious plants.
Harming these little animals might be inconceivable, so how can you discourage moles and make them go somewhere else?
Simple.
We repel them with scents that they despise.
Let’s dig in.
6 Plants that Repel Moles
The use of natural mole repellents may be the thing to get rid of mole wildlife. Not only is this alternative safer for the environment (as well as for pets and children), it is also healthier for moles.
Instead of killing them, the natural repellents hold them at bay.
Natural mole repellents can be as easy as planting vegetative barriers in the zone where we don’t want moles (for most of us, a little everywhere). Plants like this include Daffodils, Marigolds, Pink Agapanthus, Alliums, Fritillarias, Castor beans, and Mole plants.
While mole plant and castor bean plant (which contains castor oil, another good mole deterrent) can be used to repel moles, some plants here are considered poisonous and should be avoided around pets and children.
1. Daffodils
Plant the daffodils. Lots and a lot of daffodils. They’re toxic to moles, and the nasty little critters clearly know it. They never go near some kind of Narcissus (especially this one) in my yard.
2. Marigolds
Apart from the bright yellow and white flowers that are lovely in the yard, this plant has long been known as one of the most potent pests and mole repellents.
It has quite strong roots that may really grow deep and are very aggressive, releasing strong odors that reach down to the burrow holes of the moles.
3. Pink Agapanthus
Like the Marigold, it may be a great addon to your garden because of its rich pink flowers, but its purpose is to repel moles and other pests.
It has a heavy scent that is especially annoying to moles. Interestingly, it is used to cure human sinus infections as well!
4. Alliums
I personally use this as long as a couple of others on this list.
The moles hate the Allium scent, but I love it.
5. Fritillaries
The pungent scent of the spring-flowering bulb fritillaria drives the moles away. The spring-flowering bulb fritillaria comes in many different styles and colors of flowers.
They all emit a pungent scent that repulses moles and other wild animals.
6. Mole Plants
Like Daffodils, mole plants are also poisonous and should be kept about from children and pets.
However, poisonous plants have worked better in my experience.
FAQ
How many moles are there?
Seeing a mass of molehills does not mean that you have an outbreak of these little animals. Moles do not get along with each other and are usually solitary species, excluding the mating season.
There are never more than three or five moles on an acre of land, but it’s uncommon for there to be more than one in most gardens.
The mole will tunnel about five meters in an hour. The caves on the surface are not far below the surface. Therefore, the soil where they are involved can feel soft and spongy.
The primary tunnels are more than a meter down.
Moles are not a hibernating species. They are generally closer to the surface in the winter and higher in the summer.
They love damp soil where worms are present, which is why they unexpectedly emerge when the soil is cold and moist in late autumn.
During the summer months, areas of the garden, which are constantly watered, are more vulnerable to mole activity.
What to do with the molehills?
While molehills are an annoyance, they are a valuable source of fine-grained soil.
Scoop them up and use them to level depressions in the grass, overhanging beds, and margins, or in raised beds in the vegetable garden.
Mix with sharp sand and use it as a lawn dressing or grass seed to patch the grass in the spring.
What is another non-lethal alternative?
Other than these plants and castor oils, there is another fine, non-lethal alternative – sound. Ground moles do not like earth vibrations or noise.
Both represent possible threats and predators. The more frequent and active the motion, the better the effects would be to drive it away. If you prefer a low-tech option, pinwheels mounted around and in beds vibrate the soil and generate motion and noise.
They can even be held away by a tiny radio switched on in the backyard. (Although if you’re close to neighbors, it could irritate them, too).
Solar-powered sonic mole security operates by emitting waves through the ground. But the use of solar-powered sonic repulsing systems is a more powerful high-tech approach.
These lightweight, solar-powered units can be mounted throughout the landscape. They emit frequencies and waves across the earth, which serve to repel both moles and voles.
These are the exact ultrasound devices I used that really made a huge difference. If you read nothing but this in the article, this is the most important. Ultrasonic repellent is better than any plant.
The best thing – installation is as simple as setting it on the surface!
Final Thoughts
There is no one magical plant that does all the work. However, by mixing two or three plants (and/or castor oil and sounds) that repel the moles mentioned above, you can create a mole-free area. It’s just a matter of mixing the right things to repel the moles. The architectural style, however, is up to you.
If you liked this article, you might like an article on how to exterminate Mealybugs (common garden bugs).
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