Comments on: mole patrol http://awaytogarden.com/mole-patrol Gardening information and inspiration from Margaret Roach Tue, 16 Mar 2010 19:21:29 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: chigal http://awaytogarden.com/mole-patrol/comment-page-1#comment-8179 chigal Fri, 17 Apr 2009 17:07:27 +0000 http://awaytogarden.com/?p=213#comment-8179 Forgot to mention, our moles were star-nosed -- never realized there was such a thing as moles without tentacled noses! We had weird toads, too -- kind of a black-green, sludgy color I've never seen anywhere since. Forgot to mention, our moles were star-nosed — never realized there was such a thing as moles without tentacled noses! We had weird toads, too — kind of a black-green, sludgy color I’ve never seen anywhere since.

]]> By: chigal http://awaytogarden.com/mole-patrol/comment-page-1#comment-5641 chigal Wed, 18 Mar 2009 17:33:52 +0000 http://awaytogarden.com/?p=213#comment-5641 My cat used to line moles up by the back door, overnight. We thought this was a tribute, but I've since had a cat that piled mice on a suitcase. So I guess they just like collecting, and my first cat was working out a plan to sneak his mole stash into the basement. Word to the wise. Reflective tape (anything shiny, really) helps keep birds out of harm's way. An owl statue under a nut bush helped save our low-nesting cardinals (or maybe it was that introductory bloodbath). And rabbits never nested in our yard again, after the cat appeared, so they do learn to stay away. I think that's what drove him to mole hunting -- the lack of other available critters (except toads). Nematodes seem like a less lethal measure all-around. But aren't nematodes supposed to be bad for garden plants? My cat used to line moles up by the back door, overnight. We thought this was a tribute, but I’ve since had a cat that piled mice on a suitcase. So I guess they just like collecting, and my first cat was working out a plan to sneak his mole stash into the basement. Word to the wise.

Reflective tape (anything shiny, really) helps keep birds out of harm’s way. An owl statue under a nut bush helped save our low-nesting cardinals (or maybe it was that introductory bloodbath). And rabbits never nested in our yard again, after the cat appeared, so they do learn to stay away. I think that’s what drove him to mole hunting — the lack of other available critters (except toads).

Nematodes seem like a less lethal measure all-around. But aren’t nematodes supposed to be bad for garden plants?

]]> By: margaret http://awaytogarden.com/mole-patrol/comment-page-1#comment-5362 margaret Mon, 09 Mar 2009 20:39:54 +0000 http://awaytogarden.com/?p=213#comment-5362 Welcome, Rich, and thanks for affirming the nematode choice. I think it helped; glad to hear you agree. Hope to see you soon again. Welcome, Rich, and thanks for affirming the nematode choice. I think it helped; glad to hear you agree. Hope to see you soon again.

]]> By: Rich Pomerantz http://awaytogarden.com/mole-patrol/comment-page-1#comment-5359 Rich Pomerantz Mon, 09 Mar 2009 19:45:34 +0000 http://awaytogarden.com/?p=213#comment-5359 I would add my voice as a happy nematode user. I also got my supply from Gardens Alive & applied it per the instructions - perhaps a too-soon rain or cooler temps helped to lessen the impact at your place? In any case, when dealing with gardens & other living things there are so many variables it's hard to determine the impact, but the year after I applied the stuff my mole issue seemed to diminish and the following season they were completely gone. It's been six years since I applied the nematodes and have not had a new mole tunnel since. I'd suggest you might try another application. I would add my voice as a happy nematode user. I also got my supply from Gardens Alive & applied it per the instructions – perhaps a too-soon rain or cooler temps helped to lessen the impact at your place? In any case, when dealing with gardens & other living things there are so many variables it’s hard to determine the impact, but the year after I applied the stuff my mole issue seemed to diminish and the following season they were completely gone. It’s been six years since I applied the nematodes and have not had a new mole tunnel since. I’d suggest you might try another application.

]]> By: margaret http://awaytogarden.com/mole-patrol/comment-page-1#comment-4974 margaret Sat, 07 Feb 2009 17:26:37 +0000 http://awaytogarden.com/?p=213#comment-4974 Welcome, Farmer John. Apparently moles are not tasty (maybe even distasteful) to cats, or so it seems, yes. My guy will catch the occasional one, but never eat it. Mice are another story. I love the owl-house remedy, than you, and am glad the mousetrap idea seems helpful. This year I have gotten more moles than mice this way, a big year for moles all-around it seemed. See you soon again, I hope. Welcome, Farmer John. Apparently moles are not tasty (maybe even distasteful) to cats, or so it seems, yes. My guy will catch the occasional one, but never eat it. Mice are another story. I love the owl-house remedy, than you, and am glad the mousetrap idea seems helpful. This year I have gotten more moles than mice this way, a big year for moles all-around it seemed. See you soon again, I hope.

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