Ever wondered what’s drawing those pesky moles to burrow beneath your feet? Your garden is full of scents they can’t resist, turning it into their personal playground. In this guide, we uncover the top 20 smells that attract moles and share some clever tricks to keep them at bay.
Armed with this knowledge, you’ll have the upper hand in protecting your yard from their underground adventures. Let’s turn the tables and reclaim your garden!
1. Earthworms
Underneath your feet, a world of squirmy delights awaits. Earthworms give off a sweet, earthy scent that moles find absolutely irresistible.
To make your yard less appealing, consider using nematodes that prey on these worms. This natural predator-prey relationship can help reduce the worm population, thus removing the mole’s food source.
2. Insect Grubs
The smell of insect grubs acts like a siren’s call to moles. These juicy morsels give off a musty aroma that moles can’t help but follow.
To keep grubs at bay, introduce beneficial nematodes or milky spore to your garden. By disrupting the life cycle of these pests, you deter moles from feasting in your yard.
3. Mushrooms
In the damp corners of a garden, mushrooms sprout with a pungent allure. Moles are drawn to the rich, earthy scent of these fungi.
To discourage moles, regularly remove any mushrooms and maintain a dry garden environment. Dry soil makes it less hospitable for mushrooms to grow, thereby reducing the mole-attracting scent.
4. Fresh Compost
Fresh compost emits an odor that screams ‘buffet’ to moles. The rotting greens produce a rich, organic scent that moles can detect from afar.
Turn your compost regularly and cover it to minimize the smell. A well-managed compost pile reduces the enticing aroma, keeping moles uninterested.
5. Fruity Rot
Fallen fruit in the yard can turn into a feast for moles with its fruity rot. This sweet, decaying aroma is an open invitation to hungry snouts.
Clean up any fallen fruit promptly and consider netting your trees. This reduces the rotting fruit scent and keeps moles from enjoying their fruity feast.
6. Nutty Scent of Acorns
In the crisp air of fall, the nutty scent of acorns tempts moles. This aroma signals a food source that they eagerly dig for.
Rake your garden regularly to remove fallen acorns. By eliminating this nutty bait, you can help deter moles from tunneling into your yard.
7. Damp Leaves
A pile of damp leaves exudes a musty smell that piques mole curiosity. These decomposing leaves provide both cover and an aromatic beacon for moles.
Clear piles of leaves regularly to prevent them from becoming a mole magnet. Keeping your garden tidy removes this alluring scent.
8. Decaying Wood
In a forgotten garden corner, decaying wood quietly pulses with life. Its earthy aroma captivates moles, drawing them near.
Dispose of or move rotting wood from your garden to discourage moles. Without this aromatic wood, moles will search elsewhere for their olfactory adventure.
9. Vegetable Peels
Peeling vegetables in your garden can inadvertently create a mole-friendly scent track. The decomposing peel aroma is a dinner bell for moles.
Dispose of vegetable peels in a sealed compost bin to contain the smell. This prevents the enticing aroma from spreading across your garden.
10. Overripe Berries
Sweet and sticky, overripe berries send a tantalizing scent wafting through the air. Moles are drawn to this sugary allure beneath the soil.
Harvest your berries promptly and remove any fallen fruit. This minimizes the sweet invitation to moles, keeping them away from your garden.
11. Soggy Soil
After a rainstorm, the smell of soggy soil can be quite captivating to moles. Moisture enhances the scent of the earth, making it irresistible.
Improve drainage and avoid overwatering to keep your soil dry. This discourages moles by removing the alluring scent of damp earth.
12. Grass Clippings
The aroma of freshly cut grass clippings is a green flag for moles. This fresh scent signals abundant cover and food beneath the soil.
Collect clippings promptly and use them in a compost bin. This prevents the smell from lingering and attracting moles to your lawn.
13. Garden Weeds
A garden overrun by weeds can create a fragrant mole paradise. The sprouts emit a distinct smell that tells moles there’s plenty to eat.
Regularly weed your garden to keep the scent less inviting. By maintaining control, you remove the aromatic signals that attract moles.
14. Onion Bulbs
The potent scent of onion bulbs can lure moles towards the source. This sharp aroma is intriguing enough for moles to investigate.
Plant onions in contained spaces or raised beds to keep the smell contained. By managing their placement, you limit the reach of the enticing aroma.
15. Wild Garlic
Wild garlic’s pungent odor wafts through the air like a beacon to moles. This strong scent is hard for them to resist.
Keep wild garlic in controlled areas and trim regularly. This reduces the spread of its scent, keeping moles from flocking to your garden.
16. Spilled Birdseed
Bird enthusiasts beware, spilled birdseed is a mole’s delight. The diverse mix of seeds emits an aroma that attracts them to your yard.
Clean up any spills promptly and store birdseed in sealed containers. This prevents moles from being drawn to the scattered feast.
17. Flower Bulbs
Blooming beauties beware; flower bulbs can send out a seductive scent to moles. The aroma of these buried treasures makes them irresistible.
Plant bulbs with deterrent measures like wire mesh or gravel. These barriers keep moles from reaching the aromatic bulbs.
18. Food Scraps
Tossing food scraps in your garden can create a mole magnet. The decomposing leftovers release an enticing aroma to these critters.
Use a sealed compost bin to manage food waste scents. This keeps the smell contained and moles uninterested in visiting your yard.
19. Moist Garden Soil
The allure of moist garden soil can beckon moles from far and wide. This inviting scent hints at rich, worm-laden grounds.
Enhance drainage and avoid overwatering to keep soil less attractive. By managing moisture levels, you deter moles from sensing the lush underworld.
20. Burrowing Rodents
The presence of other burrowing rodents leaves a scent trail that intrigues moles. This olfactory invitation suggests a thriving habitat.
Implement humane rodent control to eliminate these scents from your garden. Without these aromatic trails, moles are less likely to join the community.