How can I deter moles from eating my garden?

Question

This is my first summer in my new home. I have a raised garden that backs onto a green space (we have just a chain link fence). Over the past few weeks, my plants have slowly been disappearing. Now I'm not talking a few chewed leaves or something, the plants literally disappear and there is no evidence a plant was ever there.The culprit leaves behind a small mound of dirt, so I'm suspecting a mole; although, I've seen it. So far it has taken 3 squash plants, a pumpkin plant, some spinach, cuccumer and even a myrtle (perennial but not a veg). Is there any hope of having a viable garden in this space or am I doomed?

Answer 1

Find the mole holes, or dig into one of their tunnels, and place a few castor beans in them.  Castor beans are what castor oil is made from, so it's not poisonous to humans, but it is to moles.  You can find them at some gardening centers, in seed catalogs, and probably on the web.

Answer 2

If you are sure that moles are eating your plant, then you have a way of eradicating them. Click on the source I have given below. It might help you. Happy planting again!

Answer 3

Moles eat worms not plants.  Therefore your culprit is most likely a gopher.  They make gopher traps which a re available at most garden centers.  Alot of people use gopher wiring (in the ground) to insure gopher-free gardens and lawns these days-

Pests will rule the world one day!

Answer 4

you can by an environment friendly mole deterrent, which you just push into the ground and it  keeps them away within a certain radius

Answer 5

I have always had cats. They bring moles up to our door, the darlings (ick :-S).  One thing you can do is set traps.  The first link below tells you how to do it.

http://www.ehow.com/how_4035_protect-gar...  setting mole traps

Your problem sounds more like gophers to me, since they do more damage than moles do, in my experience.  I have included a couple of links that can teach you how to get rid of the gophers with traps and also ways to keep them out of your garden once you're back in control.

http://www.ehow.com/how_155991_keep-goph...

http://www.ehow.com/how_3258_trap-garden...

Good luck!