These two garden critter have similar names , and even may take care similar at a quick coup d’oeil , but they really are quite dissimilar . be intimate something about these garden pest — what they consume and where they endure — may avail in their restraint .
Both these critter resemble orotund furred computer mouse , but moles are quite classifiable with their large , boat paddle - shaped front metrical unit with nipper . These are plan for digging their characteristic tunnel in lawns , as is their whole eubstance . Their small centre and ear openings ( they have no outside ear ) are hide out in their fur . Their hair is scant and , offering no resistance , allow them to move forth and backwards in tunnel . Their bodies are four to six inches long .
Moles can dig with a force of 32 times their body weight , and dig surface tunnels at a pace of 18 foot per hour . They then can travel in these tunnels at up to 80 feet a minute . They make surface tunnels for feeding , and mysterious burrow to unite the eating tunnel . These deep tunnel have characteristic mounds or volcanoes of soil at the closing — a augury you have moles instead of voles .
What moles are digging for is food — dirt ball , grubs , and angleworm . In addition to the mistaken whimsy of many that moles and field mouse are the same , is a false notion that seawall are eating plants .
By eating worm , moles can be helping to prevent worm irruption . It is some consolation though when one ’s lawn is riddled with tunnel , though , to have a go at it they are eating the grub . Many endeavor to control groin by using pesticides to check the eats . This may not help , however , as it impel the breakwater to eat more earthworms that you actually want in your lawn , gardens , and flower beds . So even if not to prevent the tunnel , you may want to ensure moles to prevent them from eating all your nightwalker . A five - ounce groin can consume 50 pounds of insects and earthworms a twelvemonth !
There are some commercial repellant products , and even more household remedies , to control moles . More usual examples of these are camphor ball , vibrating post , ultrasonic gimmick , and castor oil solution . Many of these seem more annoying to humans than gram molecule , and are often of little outcome . Poison baits are not recommended as they can be quite toxic to non - target organisms ( humankind , positron emission tomography ) , and work their way of life into the wildlife food chain .
The best control seems to be trap . I employ a shiner snap snare , rag with monkey nut butter , and set at the opening of an alive tunnel . I then cover the opening and trap with a clay pot , which is attractive , hold open other critters out of the trap , and makes the mole think the trap is in the tunnel . Other hole types may be used such as harpoon and scissor - jaw . Just check that and follow directions when using these . trap are most effective in spring and come down when groyne are most combat-ready .
termagant are related to moles only they ’re small , three to four inches long ( one will go into a tablespoonful ) , with a pointed snout , dumb pelt , and modest eyes . They , too , eat insects both above land and in tunnels made by mol and voles . They do n’t create tunnels themselves .
vole often are called meadow black eye , as they resemble shiner with shorter tails . Adult voles have chestnut brown fur , commix with smuggled . These rodent are about the same size as groyne but have easily seen large inglorious eyes , small ears , a blunt grimace , and noticeable orangish tooth used for gnawing plants . They do n’t hibernate and are alive day and night .
They , too , make panoptic tunnel system . They tunnel under the snowpack in winter , leaving those above ground channels in lawn that you see in leaping when the snowfall thaw . Near tunnels and openings you often can find non - unvarying gnawing of plants ( girdle ) in irregular patch . This may be above or below the soil aerofoil , and may ensue in root eaten , and recurrent works heaved out of the ground . Obviously such plant are subvert , if not outright killed , by such feeding . Although field mouse mainly feed on stems and seeds of grasses , they will course on most cosmetic plant too . They ’re mostly found in grassy and weedy areas .
Vole mastery is like to that of moles . I have found that maintain attractive ( to them ) organic fertilizers aside from plants in eminent vole areas tends to reduce their price . Such fertilizers may be , or contain , osseous tissue meal , cottonseed meal , and like strongly smell products . Other least toxic approaches to vole control admit keeping garden weeded , and grass mow , thus remove habitats . Similarly , keep snow away from fundament of favored Tree and shrubs , and avoid mulching too deep .
You also can put tree guards around luggage compartment of immature trees during winter . These will keep cony from chewing on barque too . Just ensure that the guard are removed in summertime if they ’re the solid plastic type , and can flourish as the automobile trunk spring up in girth . ironware fabric wire net prepare a good trunk guard . ensure guard extend above the coke line .
Registered repellent products may be tried as part of a control program . ware containing thiram ( a fungicide ) or capsaicin ( the live substance in chili peppercorn ) are sell for vole control . Just check that to follow all recording label directions and precautions when using .
you could see many more details about these garden and landscape painting pests , their biology and control , from Penn State University Extension leaflets ( extension.psu.edu/identifying-moles-voles-and-shrews ) .
MOLES AND VOLES , AND THEIR CONTROLS
Dr. Leonard Perry , Horticulture Professor EmeritusUniversity of Vermont
