Chewing Gum and Garden Rodents
Moles are small rodents that create underground tunnels and burrow using their large, powerful front feet to push dirt out of the way. Moles make themselves known in the garden by leaving mounds of loose dirt, trenches or visible ridges throughout the lawn. Gardeners still use folk remedies like hair clippings and chewing gum, but they have not been scientifically proven Does this Spark an idea?
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Lawn Damage
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Moles belong to the family of Insectivore, meaning they eat insects, not plants. They rummage through the dirt in search of grubs and insects that live just below the garden surface, causing plant roots to rise and ridges to form, giving the lawn a stressed look. To smooth out the lawn, simply tamp down the elevated ridges and water well; the lawn will repair itself within a few days.
Chewing Gum and Other Natural Removal Methods
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Gardeners are constantly on the lookout for environmentally friendly remedies in the ongoing fight to eliminate moles, including the use of chewing gum dropped into the tunnels. Many people claim that gum works, but the University of Florida IFAS Extension calls this "another method not proven in scientific tests". The Ohio State University Extension reminds gardeners that "moles are carnivores".
Other natural methods that have shown limited success include mothballs, human hair and in-ground vibrating devices, but all remain unverified for complete mole removal.
Some gardeners have found success with the use of castor oil or an oil/water mix, sprayed on gardens or poured down mole-holes, but the type of garden soil and rainfall limit its effectiveness.
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Get to the Root of the Problem
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Since a mole's diet consists of grubs, beetle larvae and other garden insects that reside just below ground level, if you eliminate the food source the moles will move on to greener pastures. Beneficial nematodes and other grub parasites work to control grubs and larvae which will not only deter the moles, but stop the larvae from developing into annoying summer bugs.
Benefits of Moles in the Garden
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If you can live with constantly managing the ridges and hills they create, moles do provide some benefit in the garden. Their extensive tunneling provides aeration and loosens the soil, keeping it healthy.
The larvae and grubs that moles eat can cause lawn damage and eventually become the beetles that feed on plants and shrubs during the warm weather.
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References
- Photo Credit Chewing gums image by Azazirov from Fotolia.com
