Garden guardians: Natural solutions to keep moles at bay
Moles can make quite a mess in the garden during the winter. Fortunately, there are home methods to effectively deter them and restore order. Plants such as mint and basil can help with this.
Winter is a challenging time for garden owners. Moles, despite the low temperatures, do not hibernate, and their activity might be more noticeable than during other seasons. These mammals leave mounds of soil that not only mar the garden but can also damage plant roots. They burrow tunnels under the ground surface in search of food, which can lead to root system damage.
However, it's important to remember that moles are under partial protection, meaning their elimination must be carried out humanely. Therefore, garden owners should use home methods to drive them away.
How to deter moles?
One of the simplest ways to deter moles is to plant in the garden plants that emit strong scents unpleasant for these small mammals. These include mint, daffodils, basil, and ornamental garlic. Their scents effectively discourage moles from digging new tunnels.
Additionally, vegetables such as onions and leeks also serve as natural deterrents. Moles avoid places that emit strong, distinctive scents, allowing them to function as a natural protective barrier.
Using sound and vibration
Another effective method is using devices that emit sounds and vibrations. You can create such devices yourself by driving a stake into the ground with an aluminum can attached, which vibrates the earth during movement. Similarly, windmills can serve this function by generating sounds and vibrations that are unpleasant for moles.
An equally good and proven trick for gardeners is to bury a piece of fish or a mix of lemon and garlic in a mound, as well as cat fur or balls made of human hair. Moles do not inhabit places where these types of aromas linger.
