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While they are small and elusive, moles can do quite a bit of harm to gardens. They dig tunnels searching for insects and earthworms which results in raised ridges, molehills and disturbed plant roots. Despite the fact that moles do not usually feed on plants, their presence can cause a lot of trouble for lawns, flower beds and vegetable gardens. Luckily, there are various humane yet efficient ways to drive moles out of your garden. The following five tips will show you how to deter moles while making your garden thrive.

Reduce their food supply

The main reason why moles choose to inhabit a garden is the abundance of food in its soil. Earthworms, grubs and insect larvae comprise a considerable part of their diet. Having a lot of these creatures in the garden, there is a high chance of attracting moles. While earthworms are extremely useful for soil and should not be exterminated, controlling grub infestation may make the area less desirable for moles. Inspecting the lawn regularly and using appropriate pest control methods can help reduce their food sources.

Maintain your garden properly

An overgrown garden serves as an excellent shelter for various animals, including moles. Tall grass, dense vegetation, piles of leaves, and neglected parts of the garden provide favourable conditions for the underground activities of moles. Maintaining the lawn and getting rid of excess garden debris will decrease the chances of moles moving in. Also, regular maintenance allows for identifying the early signs of mole presence.

Use natural repellent plants

Some strongly fragrant plants are known to have the property of repelling moles. The list includes marigolds, daffodils, alliums and castor bean plants among others. Although the effectiveness depends on the local climate and other factors, growing these plants in borders and flower beds may help to solve your problem. In addition to their possible repellent properties, these plants bring beauty, variety and color to your garden.

Disturb active tunnels

Being stable, tunnels give moles an opportunity to move efficiently underground. Identifying fresh tunnels and their locations, you can flatten or disturb them. It will let moles know that the area is not a comfortable place to inhabit. But do not think that one disturbance is enough since persistence is a key thing when dealing with this issue. Consistently monitoring and disturbing active tunnels will make the moles move elsewhere.

Create barriers

If you constantly struggle with moles, installing underground barriers can be a good option. Using fine wire mesh or special underground fences will let you protect valuable flower beds, vegetable patches and newly planted areas. It will not prevent plants from growing properly but it will prevent moles from entering the protected territory. Though the installation process takes some time, it can become an efficient solution for protecting your garden from repeated tunneling and soil disturbance.