Cats in Flower Beds and Mole Control: Practical Solutions for Both

Keeping Cats Out of Gardens

Physical Barriers

• 4-ft fence with outward-angled top or electric wire.
• Chicken wire laid flat on soil (cats dislike walking on it).
• Plastic carpet runners (nub side up) between plants.

Deterrents

• Motion-activated sprinkler (Scarecrow): Effective; fails in freezing temps.
• Repellents: Generally ineffective for urban cats habituated to smells.
• Ultrasonics: No scientific support.

Legal Note

Many areas allow trapping of free-roaming cats. Check local ordinances. TNR (trap-neuter-return) programs exist for ferals.

Mole Control: Trapping Is the Only Proven Method

• Identify active tunnels: flatten, watch for reappearance.
• Set scissor-jaw or harpoon traps in active runs.
• Moles eat earthworms, not grubs—grub control won't eliminate them.
• Average 2–3 moles/acre; trapping 1–2 usually solves it.

What Doesn't Work

• Poisons, gum, sonics, vibrations, mothballs.
• Castor oil repellents (Mole-Med): debated efficacy.