The castor bean plant produces deadly seeds, but the oil made from the seeds is not poisonous and safely can be used as a deterrent to keep gophers, moles and perhaps ground squirrels away, at least temporarily.

Are castor beans poisonous to animals?

So looking at the ASPCA page for castor beans shows that the seeds are very toxic to dogs, cats and horses. ... Beans are very toxic: oral irritation, burning of mouth and throat, increase in thirst, vomiting, diarrhea, kidney failure, convulsions. Access to ornamental plants or pruned foliage most common in poisonings.

Are castor beans poisonous to birds?

Several toxic compounds are found in the leaves and seeds. ... Birds that eat the seeds will be affected because their muscular stomach grinds the seeds to release the toxins. The leaves of the castor bean plant are also poisonous causing transitory muscle tremors, ataxia, and excessive salivation.