Re: Moles vs. gophers

As I understand it, moles dig the tunnels but don't eat the plants.
Voles (they look like moles) and chipmunks (at least, in my area) then
move in to the mole-dug tunnels, and gobble up plant roots and bulbs.

Devon Miller
Chevy Chase, Maryland zone 7
 ----------
From: Robert DeBorde
To: perennials@mallorn.com
Subject: Re: Moles vs. gophers
Date: Friday, July 31, 1998 1:32PM

Sue,
Thanks for the info.  I never knew that.
My dogs dug out three one day and my
husband said they were moles.?..........maybe
those were moles and the whole ordeal
scared the gophers to a safer yard?
I wonder?  I'm just glad they've moved on
as the dogs caused more damage than
they did.
Rachel - NW Oregon
 -----Original Message-----
From: Pesznecker, Sue <SPesznec@lhs.org>
To: 'perennials@mallorn.com' <perennials@mallorn.com>
Date: Friday, July 31, 1998 8:55 AM
Subject: Moles vs. gophers


>A comment.....  If the little furry varmints ate your bulbs, what you
>probably have is gophers, not moles.
>
>Moles are primarily carnivorous, and 99% of their diet consists of
>earthworms, insects, grubs, etc.  They only rarely eat any type of
>vegetation.  the main damage they do in gardens, besides the visible
>"mounds", comes when their burrowing exposes roots or tips plants over.
>
>Gophers, on the other hands, are rabid vegetarians.  These are the guys
>that will, literally, suck an entire plant underground, leaving only a
>hole.  They love to munch on plants, roots, bulbs, etc, and have
>voracious appetites.
>
>In general, gophers cause a lot more problem in gardens than do moles.
>In moderation, moles can even do a fair amount of good, re: their
>ability to move and aerate soil.
>
>If either rodent is such a serious problem in your yard that you are
>planning a campaign of eradication, it's important to know which one
>you've got.
>
>(I keep trying to get Ernie the poodle interested in digging for moles,
>but he just won't 'bite.')
>
>Sue P.
>
>SPesznec@lhs.org          Portland, Oregon
>(USDA zone 8, Sunset zone 6)
>
>
>
>
>
>
>> I ordered from Breck's about ten years ago.
>> I recall they sent nice, beautiful, bulbs and have a
>> great guarantee policy.  After about two years, the
>> moles around here loved most of them and gave them
>> the thumbs up, said they were wonderful for late-night
>> snacks.
>
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