The castor bean plant
The castor bean plant -- Ricinus communis-- is native to tropical Africa but grown as a tree or an ornamental shrub worldwide. Its toxic effects make it a prime candidate for controlling garden pests like moles. Does this Spark an idea?
Function
The castor bean plant is often used by gardeners as a companion plant to control moles and other rodents. When placed in a garden near plants that are vulnerable to mole damage, the poisonous castor bean acts as a natural pesticide, killing moles and other pests that consume it.
Ricin
A substance known as ricin serves as the active toxic component of the castor bean, "A proteinaceous molecule similar in structure and mode of action to the bacterial toxin found in anthrax. It's said to be 1,000 times mote toxic than cobra venom," writes the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.
Castor Pesticides
Moles may also be controlled through the use of castor bean-based pesticides sold in the marketplace, according to The Museum of Wildlife and Natural History at Michigan State University. These pesticides are sprayed on the ground. However, whether using castor bean plants or pesticide to deter mole infestation, caution is required as the castor bean can be fatal to other wild animals, pets and even humans.
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