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I placed unwrapped sticks of sweet chewing gum inside the fresh mole hills on my spring lawn for 7 days.
After placing the gum, the molehills remained largely undisturbed for the first few days. However, by the end of the week, several molehills showed signs of activity, with soil pushed up and scattered around. Interestingly, some of the previously active molehills ceased to show any signs of life, suggesting that the moles might have moved to other parts of the garden or left the area entirely.
Despite these changes, it was difficult to determine with certainty whether the gum had directly influenced the moles’ behavior or if other factors, such as weather or natural predators, played a role.
5. Did The Moles Actually Eat The Sweet Gum Or Just Avoid It?
Determining whether the moles actually consumed the gum proved challenging. There was no direct evidence, such as partially chewed gum or remains, to confirm ingestion. However, the disappearance or relocation of moles from certain areas suggested that the presence of the gum might have been a deterrent.
While some proponents of this method claim that moles are attracted to the scent and inadvertently consume the gum, leading to digestive issues, this theory remains speculative. Without direct observation or scientific study, it is impossible to say with certainty what role the gum played in altering mole behavior.
6. Visible Changes To My Lawn: New Tunnels, Fresh Soil, Or Silence?
Throughout the experiment, the most noticeable change was the reduction in new molehills. By the end of the week, the lawn appeared more stable, with fewer signs of recent digging. This was a stark contrast to the initial state, where new molehills seemed to appear daily.
However, it was also possible that the moles had simply moved their activity to less visible areas or deeper underground, where their presence was not as easily detected. The overall health of the lawn seemed unaffected by the experiment, with grass continuing to grow as usual.
7. Unexpected Side Effects For Pets, Wildlife, And The Yard Itself
One concern I had before starting the experiment was the potential impact on other wildlife or pets. Fortunately, there were no adverse effects observed. My pets showed no interest in the gum-laden molehills, and there was no evidence of other animals tampering with the sites.
The gum itself, being biodegradable, did not seem to cause any harm to the soil or plant life. My lawn maintained its vibrant green color, and there were no signs of damage to the ecosystem.
