I recently noticed a few unpleasant replies to my father, Larry Hodgson’s, article Garden Myth: Juicy Fruit Gum to Control Moles! Now, I had no idea Juicy Fruit gum was used for mole control. Apparently, if you put a stick of Juicy Fruit gum into their tunnels, they will eat it. The gum will block their digestive system, leading to their demise.
Now, some readers vehemently disagree with the text and firmly believe that Juicy Fruit is, in fact, an effective method of mole control, or at the very least a deterrent. I’m not saying it doesn’t work, but I couldn’t find any evidence of this other than anecdotal. So I thought, maybe something else is going on which would explain the link between the use of gum and the disappearance of moles.
Here are a few explanations other than the supposed lethality of the gum to moles which might account for this observation:
Coincidence
Moles may naturally move on from an area if they have exhausted the food supply or if they feel threatened by other factors. The disappearance of moles after placing Juicy Fruit gum could be a coincidence, with the moles having decided to leave for entirely unrelated reasons.
Disturbance
Placing anything in a mole tunnel, including gum, disturbs the tunnel system. Moles are sensitive to changes in their environment. The disturbance might temporarily deter them from using that tunnel, giving the impression that they have left the area.
Predator Activity
If predators are active in the area, they might take advantage of the disturbed tunnels to attack the moles. The moles’ disappearance could be due to predation rather than the gum.
Placebo Effect
Those who believe in the efficacy of a particular remedy might be more inclined to notice and remember evidence that supports its effectiveness and overlook evidence to the contrary. If moles were already decreasing in number for other reasons, the timing of the gum placement might lead to a mistaken belief in its effectiveness.
Other Control Methods
If other mole control methods are being used simultaneously, or natural fluctuations in mole population are occurring, these could be the real reasons behind a perceived reduction in mole activity. The gum might get credit for a result it didn’t actually contribute to.
No Scientific Evidence
It’s important to note that I have found no scientific evidence supporting the idea that moles are attracted to or harmed by chewing gum. Moles are insectivores, and their diet consists of invertebrates such as worms and grubs. The disappearance of moles after the use of Juicy Fruit or any other gum is likely due to factors unrelated to the gum itself.
Please let me know what you think and if you have any evidence of the contrary.
For more information on mole control, read Controlling Moles in the Garden.