Winning the war against moles: Effective and natural methods to protect your garden

Moles are mammals known for their impressive shovel-like paws equipped with curved claws. These unique physical characteristics enable them to dig tunnels extending up to nearly an entire kilometer. These pests are swift too, traversing underground at a rate of approximately 11.2-14.5 kilometres per day.

Contrary to common perception, moles do not hibernate. They endure the chilliest months, approximately 50.8-61 centimeters below the frost line. Nevertheless, when temperatures hover above freezing and thawing occurs, their activity increases. This is often when characteristic mounds start appearing in gardens and yards.

This is why February, particularly when it's mild as this year, is the perfect month to tackle mole problems. If effective methods are utilised, the likelihood of unwanted visitors making a comeback in spring is minimal.

The easiest way to deter moles is to place items with an odour they find detestable in their mounds. These include things like lemon peels, hair from dogs or cats, herring (or any fish, preferably overripe), garlic, or basil. Once a mole gets a whiff of this, it will simply seek another place to reside.

Home-made mole repellents, which are easy to prepare and natural, are also widely used. They are a much safer alternative to the chemical versions. It's best to make these using garlic and castor oil. Crush a whole head of garlic and place it in a bottle, then add oil and leave it in a warm place for a day. It's also possible to stir in a tablespoon of dishwashing liquid. Then, generously spray this solution on the mole mounds.

Moles are highly susceptible to noise. This vulnerability can be manipulated by setting up scarecrows made from aluminum cans or bottles where they show up or by using specially designed sound deterrents (which might also be ultrasonic and vibratory) available from gardening stores.