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.
These mammals measure about 8 in length. They have large, clawed front feet which are used for burrowing. They keep to themselves most of the time except during the mating season. They make feeding channels that are not reused after they leave them. Each tunnel typically has an entry and an exit mound and these are connected by runways that are about 12 inches below the ground. Their main source of food is earthworms.
Continued burrowing by these mammals results in numerous hills scattered all over a garden or a lawn. This causes the affected areas to be disfigured. Burrows that are hidden may in some cases be a hazard to persons that visit these areas. Since they love grass, it is possible to get rid of them by reducing the area of land covered with grass. This can be achieved by creating paths and hedges. They will be forced to migrate to other areas.
The tunnels created by these mammals are frequently confused with tunnels created by pocket gophers. The latter are small underground rodents that feed on roots of crops by pulling them into their burrows. Gophers do not usually make ridges on lawns. Their tunnels are somewhat flattened and have semi-circular mounds at the ends.
The use of traps is perhaps the most commonly used methods of controlling moles. There are many different types of traps each with its advantages and disadvantages. Examples include the harpoon, the scissor jaw and the choker loop types. Each trap comes with instructions on how to use it and it is important that the user in conversant with these instructions. The trap should be correctly positioned in a working burrow. A deeper tunnel would be most ideal.
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.
The barrier method is used in the control moles in a small enclosed area such a garden. Metallic or hard cloth barriers measuring about 24 by 20 inches are buried some distance from the ground. The bottom of the barriers is bent at a ninety degree angle. They be should be large enough to seal off the exit points of the tunnels.
Poisons are used at times. Their effectiveness in getting rid of moles is less than that of traps. They have to be disguised in a way that they will attract the target. The main disadvantage is that it may not be possible to tell at times whether they have achieved their objective or not. In addition, the dead animals may begin to decompose and release an offensive smell.
These mammals measure about 8 in length. They have large, clawed front feet which are used for burrowing. They keep to themselves most of the time except during the mating season. They make feeding channels that are not reused after they leave them. Each tunnel typically has an entry and an exit mound and these are connected by runways that are about 12 inches below the ground. Their main source of food is earthworms.
Continued burrowing by these mammals results in numerous hills scattered all over a garden or a lawn. This causes the affected areas to be disfigured. Burrows that are hidden may in some cases be a hazard to persons that visit these areas. Since they love grass, it is possible to get rid of them by reducing the area of land covered with grass. This can be achieved by creating paths and hedges. They will be forced to migrate to other areas.
The tunnels created by these mammals are frequently confused with tunnels created by pocket gophers. The latter are small underground rodents that feed on roots of crops by pulling them into their burrows. Gophers do not usually make ridges on lawns. Their tunnels are somewhat flattened and have semi-circular mounds at the ends.
The use of traps is perhaps the most commonly used methods of controlling moles. There are many different types of traps each with its advantages and disadvantages. Examples include the harpoon, the scissor jaw and the choker loop types. Each trap comes with instructions on how to use it and it is important that the user in conversant with these instructions. The trap should be correctly positioned in a working burrow. A deeper tunnel would be most ideal.
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.
The barrier method is used in the control moles in a small enclosed area such a garden. Metallic or hard cloth barriers measuring about 24 by 20 inches are buried some distance from the ground. The bottom of the barriers is bent at a ninety degree angle. They be should be large enough to seal off the exit points of the tunnels.
Poisons are used at times. Their effectiveness in getting rid of moles is less than that of traps. They have to be disguised in a way that they will attract the target. The main disadvantage is that it may not be possible to tell at times whether they have achieved their objective or not. In addition, the dead animals may begin to decompose and release an offensive smell.
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