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Re: [SG] Pea Gravel & voles

Gene,
That's some interesting antidotal evidence. I have never tried to use gravel
to help control voles. I was merely passing along some information I heard
at a hosta meeting.

Moles are much more powerful diggers than voles and are approx. 5 times the
size of a vole. Once the mole digs the tunnel, voles make use of it to
access plant roots.

I trap moles and poison voles at my place.

I think the suggestion was to roto-till 2 inches of sharp stone into the
planting bed. This should slow down voles. I thing you are right about moles
not being slowed down very much. A healthy mole in my area is really an
impressive digging machine.

Dan Nelson
Bridgeville DE
zone 7
-----Original Message-----
From: GeneBush <genebush@OTHERSIDE.COM>
To: shadegardens@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU <shadegardens@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU>
Date: Friday, September 04, 1998 5:44 PM
Subject: [SG] Pea Gravel & voles


>Hello Daniel,
>        I read this one with interest. Walking by my storage area where I
keep
>sand, pea gravel and leafmold I see where the moles have tunneled and made
>large mounds all through the pea gravel area. The pile was down to about a
>couple of inches of gravel, but has been there for some years and since it
>is in direct contact with the ground, a lot has settled into the first
>inches of soil. I know you are saying voles and I am saying Moles, but got
>me to thinking. If  mole can tunnel through pea gravel with glee, could not
>a vole?
>        Hungry animals of any kind are determined animals. Determined
anythings
>usually get what they are after. If grubs are there won't they be chased
>through about anything so the little critter can eat? Just musing... not
>arguing. What do you think?
>        Gene Bush     Southern Indiana    Zone 6a     Munchkin Nursery
>          around the woods - around the world
>genebush@otherside.com     http://www.munchkinnursery.com
>
>----------
>> From: Daniel Nelson <sussextreeinc@CE.NET>
>>
>> Date: Friday, September 04, 1998 11:00 AM
>>
>> Shadegardeners,
>> Another benefit of using pea gravel or gravel of any type in the garden
>is
>> that voles have a hard time burrowing in the soil with gravel present.
>>
>> Bob Solberg, a noted hosta grower, has recommended the roto-tilling of
>> gravel in hosta beds to a depth of 6 inches to control voles.
>>
>> Voles cause a lot of damage to hostas and I am sure they eat a lot of
>other
>> plants in our shade gardens. While using gravel in your walk ways is not
>the
>> same as tilling in into the soil, I am sure It does not make the voles
>lives
>> any easier. Spillage into near by beds may not be such a negative thing
>> after all if it gives the voles a little extra to chew on.
>>
>> Dan Nelson  (hosta collector)
>> Bridgeville DE
>> zone 7
>>
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