Mole Repellant?

so lucky · Aug 6, 2012

Does anyone plant castor beans for mole repellant? Do you plant them in the garden, or would the roots be toxic to humans? I think I have heard only the seed is toxic. I always have mole problems in the garden, and they do so much damage before we can trap or dig them out. I'm thinking of planting a row of castor beans along the north side.

The Mama Chicken · Aug 6, 2012

I think that you have to chew the seeds to ingest enough ricin to make you sick. I read that 6-8 seeds is the fatal dose in humans. I don't think the roots would be a problem.

curly_kate · Aug 6, 2012

Maybe we'll try that next year. We some issues earlier this year, but not so much lately. I wonder if the soil is just too dry. :idunno

desertlady · Aug 6, 2012

will it be dangerous for pet dogs? :idunno

I make sure its covered well so they dont get into them.

lesa · Aug 6, 2012

I would try a cat! Moles and voles don't stand a chance around here...

thistlebloom · Aug 6, 2012

You can get a castor oil product that you spray on your lawn or soil that works to repel moles. My mom has used it and it works. But I agree with Lesa, there's nothing like a good hunting cat to keep the vermin down.

so lucky · Aug 6, 2012

We enjoy the wild birds around here too much to get a cat. There is a feral one in the area, but he/she scats when I am out there. I didn't have any problem with moles this year till it started raining, so, yes, I think it was too dry for them earlier. The first incident I noticed this year was right after I planted a row of mustard and watered it in............

I think if I find some castor bean seed to plant, I should make sure the seeds of the subsequent plants don't get in the path of my chickens. I can just cut off the seed pods or collect them when they fall. Aren't they in a big stickery pod or something?

grow_my_own · Aug 6, 2012

We have moles and gophers here & they drive us nuts! I started a practice that I found to be personally effective.

We have a large dog, a chocolate lab/blue heeler mix. After several attempts to get rid of both types of underground nuisances, I started putting my dog's turds down the holes where the moles & gophers congregate. Now, we have all tried sticking a hose down the hole & "drowning them out" to no avail... but they REALLY don't like dog turds in the water that gets rinsed into their caves.

I have not seen a mole or gopher since June, when I first started shoving dog turds down the holes, followed by ample fillings with the hose.

The hose alone did not work. Adding dog turds has been a dogsend... er, godsend.

desertlady · Aug 7, 2012

grow my own- good Idea ! I going to try this !!

sparks · Aug 7, 2012

I started growing castor beans for mole repellent a few years ago. Not sure it works but the plants are very tropical looking. I mold cement birdbaths from the leaves. All parts of the plant is poisonous but have never had a problem. We have dogs, cat and chickens. Also grow them by the veg garden. Planted by the compost they can get about 9 ft tall.

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