Although you may rarely see them, it’s easy to know whether you have a garden that is infested with moles thanks to the molehills that they create. Thankfully, there are several measures that you can take to control moles or to encourage them to move on elsewhere. but what we’re going to concentrate today is on how certain plants can act as natural repellents that help to keep moles at bay.

Moles: The facts

The first thing to do when trying to get rid of a particular mole is to learn a little bit more about it, and moles, whilst being garden pests are interesting little characters.

Moles are small mammals that are rarely seen on the surface, spending nearly all of their time underground. They are about 6 inches (15 cm) long and have black/brown fur and front paws that are broad and are adapted for digging.

The mole breeding season runs from February to June, with females having three or four young in an underground nest. Outside of the breeding season however, moles tend to live solitary lives, so even if you have lots of mole activity in your garden, chances are it could be the work of just one mole, with the greatest amount of activity taking place in late winter and early spring.

Perhaps surprisingly, moles are carnivores and eat invertebrates that fall into their tunnels, and any damage they do to plants is accidental as they dig. While they may not directly damage your garden (apart from the molehills), it should be remembered that mole tunnels can provide access to a whole host of other pests including rats and mice, so its best to deter moles as much as possible.

5 plants that can help to deter moles

Plant these varieties of plants around the perimeter of your main garden, and you should see a reduction of mole activity and you may even get rid of them altogether.

Alliums Also known as ornamental onions, alliums are from the same family as garlic, chives, shallots and onions. It’s thought that moles don't like the smell of plants from the allium family. They’re easy to grow and some varieties can reach heights of up to 1.8m, although there are lots of shorter varieties available. They’re a great looking plant and have showy

flower heads in a range of sizes and colours including blue, purple, white and yellow. Even when the plants die back, the dried flower heads look great in the garden or can be cut to be displayed indoors.

Daffodils Daffodils make a great addition to any garden and as a bonus, they’re well known for being unpopular with moles. These easy to care for flowers add bright sports of sunshine around your garden and are easy to grow for even the most novice gardener.

Marigolds Marigolds are widely believed to be one of the the most mole repellent plants, and it is thought this is because they’re driven away because of their pungent smell. To maximise the effect of these mole repellent plants, plant a variety of types all around your garden.

Mole Plant The aptly named mole plant is one of the best things you can plant to deter moles and was named because of its effectiveness at doing so. Moles do not like the scent that is exuded by the roots into the soil or the taste that it gives to worms. Caution should be exercised however as these plants are poisonous and should be avoided if you have children or pets.

The Castor Oil plant Although in its tropical homeland this is a tree that can reach up to 12 metres tall, in UK gardens it is grown as a foliage plant in the middle of summer bedding or in large tubs. Moles are known to drastically dislike this plant which makes it a very effective addition to your garden. However, like the mole plant, it is poisonous and should be avoided if you have children or pets.

And if you can’t get rid of every mole... Sometimes, however much effort you put into trying to deter moles from your garden, you might never completely get rid of them (without the help of professional pest control experts). However, if you’re willing to live with the occasional mole visitor, you can actually take advantage of the perfectly sifted topsoil they leave on the surface. Add a little and or a little coir and it makes a really good base for potting compost!

Please visit website of Puma Landscaping - Premier Edinburgh Landscapers & Gardeners

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If you like to be rid of a mole is already digging in your garden or lawn, mole catcher of Czechmate Pest Control can assist you across the whole of Greater Glasgow and Ayrshire. Please call 01294 689903.