Moles in the garden: how to get rid of them or live with them?

Imagine a meal among gardeners... and a conversation that starts to dwindle. It seems everything has been said and everyone agrees. Drowsiness creeps in, and the atmosphere begins to resemble a TV lounge in a retirement home. To liven things up a bit, I present you with a topic of choice: moles.

You’ll see, it’s fantastic: everyone will have something to say and, above all… no one will agree. If the guests are of good composition, that is to say, not too inclined towards consensus, the discussion will surely heat up, and the assembly will quickly form two distinct camps… which I propose to outline.

Anti-moles, Camp No. 1

The anti-moles are easily identifiable: they are demanding gardeners, uncompromising about the aesthetic aspect of their garden, and they are not the type to be pushed around. A lawn riddled with mounds of earth? Indecent, intolerable! A freshly planted bed completely dug up? Nightmarish.

But they are also experts. For getting rid of or making this pest leave, they have tried everything. Pacifists by nature (naturally, they are gardeners), they started with repellents: a few plants of Euphorbia lathyris, some Fritillaries, some Incarvilles, all seasoned with castor cake. Some of them left, others stayed. So, they moved on to ultrasound. Clearly not loud enough, they invested in explosive solutions and bought mega firecrackers, ultimately resorting to vibrations and sticking about twenty sticks topped with beer bottles, considering that after all, the third half-time style could be a theme of decoration like any other. Eventually, they resigned themselves and bought traps. And while pinching their fingers, they couldn’t help but shout “cursed moles!” But they don’t boast about that.

Damage from moles — Moles, as seen by Camp No. 1

Pro-moles, Camp No. 2

Let’s not exaggerate: the pro-moles wouldn’t go so far as to breed them, but, a bit fatalistic, they have come to terms with it. In their garden, throughout the year, they stoically rake or collect the fine soil from the molehills to make their sowings or fill their pots. At first, they weren’t particularly happy. Then, they got acquainted with the intruder when they instinctively (foolishly, others would say) freed it from the cat’s claws. What a lovely coat, what a charming face! So, they released it and watched it dig in the lawn as hard as concrete. Its power left them speechless. And then they thought: respect. These gardeners quickly realised that, after all, the mole, this unloved creature, was just as useful as the hedgehog since its menu does not include bulbs or roots but rather earthworms and especially pests like cockchafers, wireworms, and garden chafer larvae. Moreover, in compact soil, they improve drainage. Philosophical, the pro-moles continue to rake, reseed a bit of lawn, or take the opportunity to plant a few bulbs. In short, they remain zen, even if they sometimes disturb the sowings!