Moles can be a nuisance in many ways. They are particularly a big problem to farmers since they contaminate silage and make it unsuitable for livestock. Due to their burrowing activity, they can cause extensive damage to crops and to farm machinery. Damage is as a result of their covering of crops with soil and exposure of stones which are destructive to farm tools. To succeed in getting rid of moles, you will need some knowledge about the different types of the mammal and their lifestyle.
When fully grown, these mammals are about 8 inches long on average. They have front feet that are clawed to make them suitable for burrowing. On most occasions they live by themselves; they only pair up during mating seasons. They make feeding tunnels about 12 inches below the ground and at each end of the tunnel is a mound of soil. Once they leave, the tunnel is never reused. Moles mainly feed on earthworms.
The most annoying thing is that they create mole hills that may be scattered all over a garden. This may disfigure well-maintained lawns. Hidden burrows pose a risk to persons that relax on these lawns. Since they love these grassy areas, one of the methods of reducing them is to limit the amount of land that is covered with grass. This can effectively be achieved through the conversion of these areas into hedges and paths. They will in this case migrate to other areas.
It is common for the tunnels created by these animals to be confused by those created by pocket gophers. Pocket gophers are small rodents that also live underground. The main difference is that gophers never make ridges on lawns. The tunnels they create are fairly flattened and have semi-circular mounds. Gophers eat plant roots and will often pull them down into their burrows.
Traps are one of the most effective ways of controlling these animals. Different types of traps have been designed each with its own advantage and disadvantages. The most commonly used types of traps include the scissor jaw, the harpoon and the choker loop. The user should carefully read the manual or instructions before setting them up. The best place to position them is in a working burrow and preferably a deep one.
In as much as use of home remedies is a quick and cheap method of eliminating these destructive mammals, the solution is only short term. In the long run, home remedies prove to be an expensive venture. Another popularly used alternative is getting rid of insects and grubs. This has proved to be a futile attempt since moles have many other types of food.
Barrier methods are also popular. These are most effective in small enclosed areas. A typical barrier is made of either hard cloth or metal and measures 20 by 24 inches. The barrier is positioned at either opening of the tunnel and is tilted to make an angle of 90 degrees.
Poisons may also be used but they are generally less effective as compared to traps in getting rid of moles. Nevertheless, it is good to know how they work. The poisons are usually disguised as gummy worms and placed in underground tunnels to trap the passing animals. Their major disadvantage is that one may never know if the target was destroyed or not. Also, the dead animal may get stuck in the tunnel, rot and cause an offensive smell.
When fully grown, these mammals are about 8 inches long on average. They have front feet that are clawed to make them suitable for burrowing. On most occasions they live by themselves; they only pair up during mating seasons. They make feeding tunnels about 12 inches below the ground and at each end of the tunnel is a mound of soil. Once they leave, the tunnel is never reused. Moles mainly feed on earthworms.
The most annoying thing is that they create mole hills that may be scattered all over a garden. This may disfigure well-maintained lawns. Hidden burrows pose a risk to persons that relax on these lawns. Since they love these grassy areas, one of the methods of reducing them is to limit the amount of land that is covered with grass. This can effectively be achieved through the conversion of these areas into hedges and paths. They will in this case migrate to other areas.
It is common for the tunnels created by these animals to be confused by those created by pocket gophers. Pocket gophers are small rodents that also live underground. The main difference is that gophers never make ridges on lawns. The tunnels they create are fairly flattened and have semi-circular mounds. Gophers eat plant roots and will often pull them down into their burrows.
Traps are one of the most effective ways of controlling these animals. Different types of traps have been designed each with its own advantage and disadvantages. The most commonly used types of traps include the scissor jaw, the harpoon and the choker loop. The user should carefully read the manual or instructions before setting them up. The best place to position them is in a working burrow and preferably a deep one.
In as much as use of home remedies is a quick and cheap method of eliminating these destructive mammals, the solution is only short term. In the long run, home remedies prove to be an expensive venture. Another popularly used alternative is getting rid of insects and grubs. This has proved to be a futile attempt since moles have many other types of food.
Barrier methods are also popular. These are most effective in small enclosed areas. A typical barrier is made of either hard cloth or metal and measures 20 by 24 inches. The barrier is positioned at either opening of the tunnel and is tilted to make an angle of 90 degrees.
Poisons may also be used but they are generally less effective as compared to traps in getting rid of moles. Nevertheless, it is good to know how they work. The poisons are usually disguised as gummy worms and placed in underground tunnels to trap the passing animals. Their major disadvantage is that one may never know if the target was destroyed or not. Also, the dead animal may get stuck in the tunnel, rot and cause an offensive smell.
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