Why Does Juicy Fruit Gum Kill Moles

If you’re a gardener, you know the frustration of molehills ruining your lawn. You might have heard an odd tip floating around garden forums and old gardening books. Let’s talk about why does juicy fruit gum kill moles. This unusual pest control method has been a topic of debate for decades. It’s a classic home remedy that many swear by, while others dismiss it as an old wives’ tale. We’ll look at how it’s supposed to work, if there’s any science behind it, and how to try it yourself.

First, it’s crucial to understand this isn’t a scientifically proven method. No major university extension service recommends it. The theory, however, is based on the mole’s biology and diet. Moles are insectivores. They eat earthworms, grubs, and other soil insects. They do not eat plant roots, though their tunneling can damage them. The idea behind the gum method is that the mole mistakes the gum for food.

The Proposed Theory: How It Might Work

The story goes like this. You unwrap a few sticks of Juicy Fruit gum and place them in active mole tunnels. The scent of the gum, which is sweet and fruity, is thought to attract the mole. When the mole investigates, it consumes the gum. Since moles cannot digest gum, the theory states it blocks their digestive tract. This internal blockage then leads to the mole’s death. Proponents claim it’s a cheap and chemical-free solution.

It’s important to note the specific use of Juicy Fruit brand. Many believe its unique artificial flavoring and soft consistency are key. Other gums might not have the same scent or pliability. The gum needs to be soft enough for the mole to eat it but sticky enough to cause the proposed problem.

What the Science Says About Moles and Digestion

Let’s examine the logic. Moles have a highly specialized diet of live prey. Their sense of smell is good, but it’s tuned to detect earthworms and insects, not artificial fruit flavors. The chances of a mole being attracted to gum scent over its natural food is questionable. Furthermore, while it’s true mammals can’t digest gum base, it usually passes through the human digestive system without issue. It’s not a given that it would cause a fatal blockage in a mole. Many experts think the mole would simply ignore the foreign object.

Why People Might Think It Works

Mole behavior can make any control method seem effective. Moles have vast, temporary tunnel systems. They often abandon surface tunnels after a day or two as they search for food. If you place gum in a tunnel and the mole leaves the area, you might assume the gum killed it. In reality, the mole has just moved on. This coincidence likely contributes to the method’s persistant reputation.

How to Try the Juicy Fruit Gum Method

If you want to test this folk remedy, here is the common step-by-step approach. Remember, results are not guaranteed and many consider it a myth.

Locate Active Tunnels: Step down a section of raised tunnel. Mark it with a flag. Check it in 24 hours. If the tunnel is raised again, it’s active.
Gather Supplies: You’ll need a few sticks of Juicy Fruit gum (the original flavor). Unwrap them completely.
Access the Tunnel: Using a trowel or knife, carefully poke a small hole straight down into the active tunnel. Try not to collapse it.
Place the Gum: Drop 2-3 unwrapped sticks of gum into the tunnel. Some gardeners chew the gum slightly first to soften it and enhance the scent, but this isn’t universal.
Seal the Hole: Cover the hole you made with a clod of soil to block out light and keep the tunnel dark.
Repeat: Place gum in several active tunnel locations across your yard.
Monitor: Watch for new activity. If it stops, the method may have worked—or the mole may have simply moved to a different area.

More Reliable Mole Control Methods

As a gardener, you should know about methods with proven track records. Relying solely on gum is not a robust strategy. Here are more effective options.

Trapping: This is the most effective and humane method when done correctly. Scissor traps or harpoon traps placed in active main runways can resolve the issue.
Habitat Modification: Reduce the mole’s food source. Treating your lawn for grubs (white larvae) can make your yard less appealing. This is a long-term strategy.
Physical Barriers: Installing underground hardware cloth barriers around prized garden beds can protect them, though it’s labor-intensive.
Professional Help: For severe infestations, a licensed wildlife or pest control professional can provide the most reliable solution.

The Importance of Correct Identification

Before you try to control anything, be sure it’s a mole. Voles, gophers, and mice can also cause landscape damage. Moles create raised ridges and volcano-like mounds. Voles make clean, small holes and gnaw on plant bark. Gophers create larger, fan-shaped mounds and eat plant roots. Using a mole method on a vole problem won’t work, so proper ID is the first step.

Ethical and Environmental Considerations

Moles are not evil. They aerate soil and eat many harmful insect larvae. Complete eradication is often unnecessary. The goal is usually to encourage them to leave a specific area, like your vegetable garden or lawn. Consider if the damage warrants lethal control. Sometimes, flattening hills and waiting for them to move on is sufficient. The gum method, if it works, causes a slow death by internal blockage, which many would consider inhumane compared to instant-kill trapping.

Also, introducing non-biodegradable gum into your soil isn’t ideal. The wrappers can also litter your garden if not removed. It’s not the most environmentally friendly tactic out their.

Common Mistakes When Dealing with Moles

Even with conventional methods, gardeners make errors. Here’s what to avoid.

Treating for grubs when mole activity is high. Grub treatments take time to work and moles will remain until the food is gone.
Using poison worms or nuts. These can be dangerous for pets, children, and other wildlife. They also are not specific to moles.
Flooding tunnels with water. This rarely works, wastes water, and can damage your lawn’s soil structure.
Not being patient with traps. It can take several days to a week to successfully trap a mole. Moving traps too often disturbs the runway.

When to Call a Professional

If you’ve tried several methods without success, or if the infestation is large, call a pro. They have access to tools and traps that the public doesn’t. They can also guarantee their work in many cases. The cost is often worth the saved time and frustration, especially for valuable landscapes.

Preventing Future Mole Problems

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Making your yard less inviting is the best long-term defense.

Maintain a healthy lawn through proper mowing, watering, and aeration to encourage deep roots and resist damage.
Conduct regular grub checks and treat if necessary, but avoid over-applying pesticides which harm the soil.
Consider adopting a more tolerant mindset. A few molehills in an out-of-the-way corner might be acceptable for the benefits of natural aeration they provide.

FAQ: Juicy Fruit Gum and Mole Control

Does Juicy Fruit gum really get rid of moles?

There is no scientific evidence that it works. It is an unproven folk remedy. Many gardeners report no success, while a few swear by it. It’s not a reliable standalone method.

What flavor of gum kills moles?

The original Juicy Fruit flavor is the one traditionally used. The theory relies on it’s specific artificial scent to attract the mole. Other flavors or brands are not part of the common advice.

How long does it take for Juicy Fruit gum to kill moles?

If it does work, proponents say it can take a few days. However, since moles may simply abandon treated tunnels, it’s hard to determine a true timeframe. Often, any cessation of activity within a week is attributed to the gum.

Is killing moles with gum humane?

Probably not. The proposed death by digestive blockage would likely be slow and uncomfortable. More humane options include live-trapping and relocation (where legal) or using quick-kill traps.

What is the best way to kill moles?

Trapping is widely considered the most effective and controllable method. Scissor or harpoon traps, correctly placed in active main runways, offer a quick solution. Always check local regulations regarding wildlife control.

Will chewing the gum first make it work better?

Some instructions say to chew the gum briefly to soften it and release more scent. However, this adds human scent which could deter the mole. The directions are inconsistent on this point, and it likely makes little difference to the overall efficacy.

In conclusion, the idea of using Juicy Fruit gum for mole control is a persistent garden myth. While the process of why does juicy fruit gum kill moles is interesting from a folklore perspective, it lacks scientific backing. As a skilled gardener, your time and effort are better spent on proven methods like proper trapping and habitat management. If you do try the gum method for curiosity’s sake, use it alongside other tactics and keep your expectations low. The most beautiful gardens are managed with both knowledge and a bit of pragmatism, focusing on what truly works for the ecosystem you’re tending.