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mole attack! Lining bottom of bed with wire mesh??

14 years ago

Hello,

I have a consistent mole problem. They tunnel in three 24-ft beds. The beds are only about 2.5ft wide. They've disrupted so many new or established plantings that end up dying because the roots dry out when a tunnel passes underneath. I've replaced some plants multiple times (baptisa, they've ruined several clematis which is frustrating because the vines take 2-3 years to establish, then whammo! they die and I discover a mole tunnel in root zone). This has been going on for years and I'm fed up with it!

I've tried castor oil liquids and granules and for a while even traps and commercial poisons - sorry but I just go fed up. I've resisted applying granular grub/insect poisons because of our dogs who occasionally rummage in the beds --for the moles!.

I read somewhere that lining the bottom of a planting bed with wire mesh will prevent moles/voles from entering the bed. It would be a lot of work to dig everything out, place mesh, then replant. But I'm seriously thinking about doing it as a more permanent fix.

Has anyone ever done this? Any tips? Does it last? Are there reasons not to do it that you only discover later??

Thanks for any help, I'd really appreciate feedback, I'm tired of fighting this uphill battle!

growitnow

zone 7, Va

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Comments (4)

kentstar
14 years ago
I had a vole problem, not a mole problem when they would try to eat my tulip bulbs. While I also don't know how to get rid of them, here is a link that may help. Good Luck!

Here is a link that might be useful: How to get rid of Moles/Voles
kentstar
14 years ago
Also, if you put moles and voles into the search to search 'all records' you'll get LOTS of info on them!
If you get rid of grubs in your lawn (if you have them) that may help. I hear they like to eat grubs.
I've used Milky Spore to get rid of grubs, but it takes time to get rid of them.
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The hardware cloth is fairly easy to work with, providing the boxes and cloth are similar in width. I rolled out the cloth, cut it to size with a simple wire cutter, then stapled or nailed it to the bottom of the box, flipping the box over the area to be planted. If the sides of the enclosed area is heavy timber, etc., then the hardware cloth needs to be laid flat on the planting ground prior to placing timbers, and edges turned up somewhat for securing/stapling, etc. When making my initial planting areas, before the boxes, I worked the soil that would be underneath, putting in a lot of material that would compost down eventually. It provided much better drainage and the added soil/compost worked down through the hardware cloth providing deeper loose soil that created better drainage above my hardpan soil. The hardware cloth is going on its 5th season, with no signs of varmints getting through. When the boxes begin to show signs of weathering from soil, I will turn them over, nailing the hardware cloth on the reverse side, providing there are no worn areas. Just my 2 c's. Bejay
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I had problems with moles digging tunnels through the root system of my dahlias. In the hot summer this would cause my dahlias to wilt so bad in the afternoon because of so much damage to the root system. Many would just die out after a few weeks, even with water every day. My solution was to get that small mesh chicken wire, small enough that moles can't get through the holes in the wire. Then I dug a hole about 12 to 14 inches deep, about 12 inches in diameter. Then cut the chicken wire to put around the wall of the hole, and cut another one in a circle shape to put in the bottom of the hole. Then just filled in the hole with dirt and planted the dahlia. Worked great. No more problems with wilting dahlias in the hot summer sun with reasonable watering.
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I was told that gopher purge does not harm them that it is just a plant that they won't eat? I just read in a magazine to put out tiny dishes of Coke - that the rats/mice can't handle the gasses and die. I also just bought some Camphor oil spray that is used to deter gophers and moles from your plants for 2 months. I too line my plant holes with chicken wire and have heard that hardware cloth can be effect but don't know where to find it.
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How tough are these buggers? Having no experience with them, I can't tell if this will work, but I thought to post it anyway. They make a plastic reinforced screen material that we use on our windows and our screened porch in the back of the house. The dogs can jump on the windows and rake their claws down it for as long as they want and it doesn't tear. The squirrels run sideways across our screened porch and don't tear up the mesh either. Didn't know if they used teeth or just claws, but they offer this stuff next to the screens at your big box hardware store.
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laceyvail 6A, WV
14 years ago
Moles eat grubs but they also eat earthworms and other soil insects, so getting rid of grubs won't do much to get rid of moles.

BTW, I have had moles for many years and have never lost a plant to them. However, when the voles moved in, then I lost plants.
Joncro55
13 years ago
I would think that wire mesh would be a great idea to line the beds. Figure if they cannot fit through the openings in the mesh, they won't be able to get into your bed and do any damage. This may be a cheap and easy solution for you.

http://www.bwire.com/galvanized_wire_cloth.htm

May want to use something like this...

Galvanized wire mesh is usually pretty cheap, and extremely durable. I am pretty certain that this mesh also will not rust, and any roots of plants/bushes you may have should still be able to flourish, even though you have mesh lining the bed.

Let me know if this is the way you go and how it works out for you.

Here is a link that might be useful: Galvanized Wire Mesh

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