Moles.

Discussion in 'Off-Topic Discussion' started by Charlie996, Jul 15, 2017.

  1. Charlie996

    Charlie996 Gardener

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    Just come back from a short break to find our back lawn decimated by a mole or moles. Have suspected them to be there but now know for sure.

    Have been looking on EBay at traps both humane and killers and poison which I suspect is repackaged rat poison.

    Advice desperately sought !!

    Is the poison the same as the rat stuff ? I have some of that.

    Any ideas how to deter or get rid please ??

    Thank you !!
     
  2. Ned

    Ned Evaporated

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    Don`t use poison...just don`t. With my place being for camping, I have had plenty of mole visits. The only way that actually works is by trapping.
    This is really a job for a professional person to deal with, and then start learning about the way the moles work, how to find the right tunnels to put the traps in, breeding patterns etc.
    As you have only just seen the mole hills after a short break, I would assume that there will only be one mole there at the moment, and that boy will be causing all the devastation.
    I will have a look to see if I can find a picture of the best kind of trap for you.
    During very dry spells as we`ve had in Kent recently, we don`t have so much evidence of the little gents in velvet jackets, because they have to go down very deep to find moisture and worms.
     
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    • Ned

      Ned Evaporated

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      [​IMG]This is the best kind of trap, it is traditional, and the only way to get rid of moles - in my opinion.
       
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      • Charlie996

        Charlie996 Gardener

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        Thanks for the replies.

        Can I ask why not poison ??

        The mole is not leaving hills it is tunnelling just below the surface leaving rifts of disturbed soil and grass it really is destructive !! Again last night it's dug across the lawn it really is making a mess.
         
      • Jiffy

        Jiffy The Match is on Fire

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        We had some moles and we planted some wild garlic, no more moles in the garden but have seen them in the fields next door, may be a coincience
         
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        • Ned

          Ned Evaporated

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          Coincidence I`m afraid, the corner of my site, where the moles usually sneak in from the farmer`s field is smothered in wild garlic.
          I`d watch that if I were you Jiffy, it spreads like ......wildfire :snorky:
           
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          • Scrungee

            Scrungee Well known for it

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            • Ned

              Ned Evaporated

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              Hilarious Scrungee, and SO reminds me of some people I know :snorky:
               
            • Charlie996

              Charlie996 Gardener

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              Why do we not use poison ?? Looking on the net poison seems a good option ? I'm confused.....
               
            • Ned

              Ned Evaporated

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              Because poison kills everything, and we have to try to garden without killing everything. If we try to work with other animals and insects as much as possible, they will, in turn work with us.
              Trapping (which I also wish I didn`t need to do) is at least only targeting the mole.
               
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              • Scrungee

                Scrungee Well known for it

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                Having an edge of village plot, I have to put up with try and resist Rabbits, Squirrels, Pigeons, Muntjaks, Badgers, Rats, Voles, Mice and Moles.

                I'd rate burrowing, seed eating Voles a greater pest than Moles. Regular rotorvating of plots seems to discourage them, and some mesh buried around the skirts of polytunnels keeps them out.

                There's been some new allotments created in our village, and they've been plagued with Moles, but I reckon this could be more to do with their inexperience in dealing with basic pests.
                 
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                • Ned

                  Ned Evaporated

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                  There seems to be a population explosion of voles here in the last two or three years, but then there also appears to be an increase in the owl population, and buzzards, and other predators of the vole. We all take our chances ....:dunno:.......but I`m afraid the moles still need to watch out.
                   
                • ricky101

                  ricky101 Total Gardener

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                  Had a similar problem, but suggest you do not dig up your lawn looking for it.

                  Instead look to the soil boarders that surround the lawn and an obvious way it likely moved in to your garden, somewhere you may spot its main run, and its there you want to bury the trap; it worked for me.

                  Some suggest you wash off all traces of you off the trap then rub soil all over it so it seems more natural to the mole.
                   
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                  • Charlie996

                    Charlie996 Gardener

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                    We live way out in the sticks and are surrounded by fields with sheep cows and barley fields as nieghbours so I do expect wildlife and by and large welcome and indeed love it all of it. But as an avid garden lover I find it hard to see the lawns decimated.

                    I was given a tip by a gardening contractor which seems to be working.

                    I open the runs carefully drop into them a wee bit of microfibre cloth then pour Jeyes Fluid onto the cloth and bury it.

                    Well in the 36 hours since putting it down zero more digging. Of course it's early days but encouraging none the less.

                    Apparently moles have extremely heightened senses of smell to make up for bieng blind. Natures way of equalling things up a bit and they abhor the smell of Jeyes.

                    We shall see .....
                     
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                    • luciusmaximus

                      luciusmaximus Total Gardener

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                      :yikes: :cry3: why do you want to hurt them. I will never understand why people's reaction to an unwanted visitor is to kill it :scratch:
                       
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