Ward Off Moles Naturally: Garden Plants as Pest Deterrents

Learn How to Protect Your Flowerbeds with These Five Plants

Moles tunneling through your yard can be a frustrating gardening problem, destroying your beautiful flowerbeds. Luckily, some plants naturally repel these critters, offering a safe and eco-friendly solution. Planting specific greenery can make your garden less appealing to moles, keeping your flowers safe.

Daffodils: A Mole’s Nemesis

Daffodils are a popular choice for keeping moles away. They are relatively low-maintenance and contain lycorine, a substance that moles dislike. This element seeps into the soil, rendering patches of your flowerbeds unattractive to them.

“Every part of a daffodil is laced with the alkaloid lycorine. One nibble of a bulb is enough to make most digging mammals violently ill, so moles quickly learn to bypass entire clumps.”

—Jessica Mercer, Plant Expert at Plant Addicts

Planting daffodils around your garden is an effective way of deterring moles. A recent study revealed that over 60% of gardeners struggle with mole problems each year (Gardeners’ Monthly 2024).

Alliums and Garlic: The Power of Scent

Plants from the allium family, like garlic, are also effective in repelling moles. These plants release strong scents that irritate moles, deterring them from your garden. The potent sulfur-based smell overwhelms their senses.

When allium roots or leaves are bruised, they emit pungent chemicals, including sulfenic acids. These irritate a mole’s nose and eyes. The resulting vapor overwhelms the mole’s scent-based navigation, causing them to retreat.

“The strong sulfur compounds present in garlic overwhelms moles’ sensitive noses, making the soil less inviting. I recommend planting garlic around beds or among crops to send them packing.”

—Siobhan Shaw, Co-Founder at Growing to Give

Marigolds and Mint: Additional Deterrents

Marigolds repel moles, similar to daffodils, but their roots emit a different chemical. This chemical controls local soil nematodes, a food source for moles. Mint also helps with this issue because it is a good option for tackling mole problems.

According to Jessica Mercer, the roots and crushed foliage of mint release menthol. This aromatic oil confuses moles’ scent receptors. Planting mint can be very helpful for this reason.

In conclusion, by using these plants, you can create a natural defense system that keeps your flowerbeds safe from mole damage. Gardening can be both enjoyable and effective with these mole-repelling options. You can also explore deer-resistant plants.