Re: Need some advice...

I know this is an old topic and I haven't read through the thread, but has
anyone tried the radio trick?  As I recall it goes something like putting a
radio in plastic, setting it to a station that plays music with a good bass
line, and burying it in/near the tunnel.  The moles do not like the
vibration and tend to clear out of the area for a while.

My brother-in-laws mother used to plant castor beans around the property to
discourage moles, but that's not a short-term solution.

Libby
Maryland zone 6



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Marge Talt" <mtalt@hort.net>
To: <gardenchat@hort.net>
Sent: Tuesday, August 17, 2004 4:19 AM
Subject: Re: [CHAT] Need some advice...


> You know, Bonnie, reading your post again, there really isn't any way
> to ensure that you will not have moles working that area as long as
> it contains food for them.  If you manage to kill the one(s) that are
> there now, others will come to take their place.  I wonder if that
> soil is perhaps looser than the surrounding area; has more organic
> material and thus more earthworms or something...something that's
> attracting them to the area around the pond...
>
> I do know, from sad experience, that moles can die from excessive
> soil vibration right next to them...one day I was building a
> retaining wall and there was a mole working right where I was; I
> could see the soil heaving...I just kept on pounding in stakes and
> the mole surfaced and died right in my hand - I was very sad:-(  Had
> I realized this, I would have moved away until the mole moved on.
> They have the absolutely softest fur on the planet.  I expect this is
> why those odd pinwheel mole discouragers are sold tho' I do not think
> they are particularly effective in reality.
>
> I am a mole fan...anything that aerates my stolid clay soil and eats
> Japanese beetle grubs is a friend of mine.  I just stomp tunnels in
> what passes for our lawn if they get on my nerves...otherwise I think
> what grass I have is grateful for the loosening of the otherwise
> compacted soil:-)
>
> Here's a link to extensive information about moles and their control
> in Virginia:
>
> http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/wildlife/420-201/420-201.html
>
> And another from Oregon:
>
> http://eesc.orst.edu/agcomwebfile/edmat/html/ec/ec987/ec987.html
>
> And less information, but better pix from Ohio
>
> http://ohioline.osu.edu/w-fact/0011.html
>
> The Virginia site points out that mole traps pose dangers to the
> installer of same as well as pets and other small wildlife.  If
> trapping is what you decide to do, it appears it is best left to a
> professional mole exterminator.  Poisons are also difficult and
> dangerous, even if the average homeowner can get those rated for
> moles...
>
> Marge Talt, zone 7 Maryland
> mtalt@hort.net
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> > From: Bonnie & Bill Morgan <wmorgan972@ameritech.net>
> >
> > As you know, I'm the live and let live type of person, but this is
> the first
> > time I've had a mole do so much damage!  Since we put the pond in,
> a mole
> > has been making long runs to the pond, around the surrounding area
> and right
> > back to the pond.  We've pressed the disturbed soil back down and
> an hour or
> > two later, the "hill" is larger and taller.  It has killed out much
> of the
> > grass on the West side of the pond.
> >
> > I know that his presence probably means I have some underground
> problem (is
> > it grubs they go after?) but what would be the safest and sanest
> way to stop
> > the devastation.  I'm really worried momma will take her little dog
> outside
> > and trip over or fall into one of the mole's hills.  Any ideas?
> >
> > Thanks and blessings,
> > Bonnie (SW OH - zone 5)
>
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