I was about to give up on my garden—the moles had driven me to my breaking point! The soil was so torn up it was scary to walk on: nothing but hummocks and hollows, and the plants were stunted by damaged roots.

And completely by chance I came across a method that literally changed the situation in a matter of minutes.

Every morning used to start the same way: inspecting the beds and counting new mounds. These underground “builders” dug up to three meters of new tunnels per day.

Now my plot looks neat again: even beds, strong plants, no signs of nocturnal pest activity.

Before using the corks, the scene was depressing—solid mounds and holes. I’d been collecting wine corks for three years in a row, but only last season did I think of using them against moles.

It all started when my wife constantly nagged about the box of bottle caps in the pantry—like, why keep all that junk? But I had a feeling they’d come in handy.

My first successful attempt occurred in May: I noticed a fresh tunnel near a greenhouse with pepper seedlings, took a couple of corks, soaked them in kerosene, and placed them in the holes. Fifteen minutes later, I checked—no new tunnels had appeared.

The moles simply abandoned the area. At first, the neighbors laughed, seeing me with a can of kerosene and a handful of corks, but after a month, they themselves began asking about the method, because the results were obvious.

I didn’t spend a penny on pest control the entire season—I used only the accumulated corks. And then things got even more interesting: I gradually discovered other ways to use them around the garden.

I’ll show you step-by-step how to get rid of moles in 15 minutes using plugs. It’s important to prepare the material correctly and choose the right locations.

First, you need to collect a sufficient number of natural corks—plastic ones won’t work, as they don’t retain odor. One cork is enough for one or two active runs. For a standard 600 square meters (1,000 square feet), you’ll need about 30.

I soak the corks in a strong-smelling substance. Birch tar has proven to be the best—its aroma lasts for three to four weeks. Kerosene also works, but it dissipates more quickly.

Fir oil is gentler and safe for plants. The process is simple: I dip a plug in the chosen solution and push it about ten centimeters into the fresh burrow. Within a few minutes, the moles notice the unpleasant odor and leave.

Birch tar

There’s an important detail: the plugs must be placed precisely in active passages. It’s easy to check: lightly press down the mound and check the next day. If the soil rises again, the passage is active.

Over three seasons of use, the method has proven to be approximately 70% effective when applied correctly. In rainy weather, the procedure must be repeated.

After a successful experiment with moles, I decided to try the plugs against other pests, and the results were pleasantly surprising.

Four More Ways to Use Wine Corks Around the Yard

Once the mole problem was solved, experiments began. It turned out that plugs can be useful in many situations. First, I tried them against ants.

I mix boric acid with honey in a ratio of one to three to form a thick paste, dip the corks in it and place them near the anthills.

In most cases, the colony disappears within a week: the insects take the bait back to the nest, and the reproduction process stops.

The second option is to use cork chips as a natural mulch. I shred old corks with a grater or in a blender. The resulting material retains moisture better than straw.

I spread a layer of about three centimeters around the tomatoes and peppers – watering is reduced by about a third, and there are noticeably fewer weeds.

The third method came about by accident while transplanting seedlings. I placed several whole corks at the bottom of the pot instead of expanded clay.

The result is excellent drainage—the roots don’t rot even with frequent watering. The plug decomposes slowly and lasts for two to three years.

The fourth option is marking the plantings. I insert a toothpick into each cork and label it with the variety. This makes a convenient and durable marker for carrot or radish beds. The markings won’t wash off in the rain until harvest.

Using corks at the dacha

The only difficulty was finding enough material for all these tasks. I had to seek out additional sources.

Five Ways to Collect Free Wine Corks for Your Garden

Once I assessed all the benefits of corks, it became clear that my own supply was not enough.

The first thing I did was make a deal with a local restaurant: I explained to the manager why I needed the corks, and now I get about a kilogram of natural material for free every two weeks.

The main thing is to arrange in advance and come regularly.

The second source is banquets, weddings, and corporate events. A friend who hosts events alerts me, and after the celebrations, I collect used bottle caps—up to fifty in a single evening. The organizers are only too happy to get rid of the excess waste.

A third option is wine shops with tastings. The staff are happy to give away corks from opened bottles. On a weekend, you can stock up for a week in an hour—just ask politely.

The fourth method is social media ads. I posted in local groups about collecting natural corks.

More than ten people responded, and now neighbors are bringing them to their gates themselves. Many had no idea how useful ordinary waste could be.

The fifth source is friends and colleagues. I asked everyone I knew not to throw away natural corks. Over the course of a year, I accumulated over three hundred corks—more than enough for the entire property.