Re: Moles
- Subject: Re: [SG] Moles
- From: C* P*
- Date: Thu, 19 Jul 2001 11:22:35 EDT
In a message dated 7/19/01 7:32:09 AM Eastern Daylight Time, NardaA@AOL.COM
writes:
<< When we had a cat she was mostly an indoors cat. We would let her take a
trip outside occasionally and when we did she always returned with a mole in
her mouth. She thought that under the dining room table was the place to
present the gift to the family. Cats are good animals to have in the garden,
but I can't put out bird seed and have a cat in good conscience as it is just
providing the cat with a bird buffet. >>
Narda,
That may not be entirely the case. From five cats a few years ago, down to
one now, they killed very few birds. They co-exist. The catbirds torment my
cat. One or two cats for reasons unknown to me keep rabbits from the garden.
I think they may be able to kill the young and keep down the population.
Living in a very rural place, I have never seen a rabbit in my gardens. When
I think it over, I guess that is one blessing, no rabbits, all kinds of other
animal have visited.
Several cats in the garden will not kill off the voles or moles. They catch
one now and then but are not really interested in doing a clean up of
rodents. But having the cats there is a deterrent. I learned from another
gardener about putting rodent bait into PVC pipe and keeping down the pipe
with a few rocks. This protects both birds and cats as the pipe is not
entered by either. Same for slug bait.
What really helps with rodents is snakes. I hate snakes and have had to
train myself to leave them alone and move way to another place when they
choose to lie around some part of my garden. All snakes are welcome here and
we have an increasing population. They must survive many years as some are
becoming quite large. Most folks will not like to import a snake population
but it you are fairly rural and have lots of rock walls you have lots of
snakes. This has really been a learning experience for me. Since I am not
entirely happy about snakes, I have a guide and ID them when I find one to
make myself confident.
Claire Peplowski
NYS z4
