Stopping moles and gophers?

[werecat]

Out at my mums where I am going to be putting my garden, she has moles at least (I know cause the cats occasionally catch them) and possibly other little burrowing beasties. Any clue how to deter them from chomping away at the roots of the plants in the garden I am planning? I was thinking of bordering the whole garden with a double row of garlic cause the beastie chasers from liquid fence use a lot of garlic. I don't necessarily want to kill or harm the beasties, I just want them to go looking for their meals elsewhere.

[onmyknees]

I understood moles were looking for grubs maybe that is the beastie you need to discourage. Althogh I have moles in the yard they have never bothered the gardens so I haven't done much to discourage them in the spring they seem to do a great job of areating the hard pan soil in the "lawn" (weed patch)

[windsng225]

Last year I had a problem with gophers at least that is what I thought they were, big brown furry things. Anyway, bought some fox urine (comes in a box, powdery stuff), sprinkled it around the outside of the garden 2 X a week the first two weeks then once a week after that. Have not seen them since. Haven't seen it yet this year either. So I guess it works.
Good luck.
Joyce

[Cliff Timmons]

Wonder how they get the fox to pee in the box....

[Sandbar]

Grubs feed on roots of grass. Moles eat grubs. Kill the grubs and the moles will leave.

Here's some info on using nematodes:

http://www.environmentalfactor.com/html/nematodefacts.html

This sounds like a neat product, but not good for use in Northern climates:

http://www.extremelygreen.com/Product.cfm?Name=Milky%20Spore%20Disease%20Powder

For more help, try Googling: "organic grub pesticide"

Good luck.

[windsng225]

Cliff, you are so funny! LOL, actually I wondered about that too!

[Cliff Timmons]

Cliff, you are so funny! LOL, actually I wondered about that too!
You realize,..... we both need help then? <grin>

[windsng225]

No Cliff, I'm past that, been past that for at least 40 years! You know it's better when your a little nutz! lol

[red1]

I was told by a client of mine he placed a block of ex-lax at the mole hole or gopher hole they eat it and die in the hole somewhere. That may be like the chewing gum theory though.

[PigPenDirtGirl]

There is no stopping them. Surrender now. And yes they do eat grubs but they also LOVE earthworms (like in an organic garden) and to get them they will tunnel through the roots of your plants leaving the plant to wilt overnight due to dehydration. I battled moles for years - tried everything (and I mean everything! My brother in law suggested trapping them and making a "mole-hair" sweater out of their hides)- but the only way I ever could grow anything was to grow most of it in containers or create raised beds with screened bottoms. The edges of the bed need to be high enough so that the moles don't crawl into the bed. I think mine were at least 8" tall. We have sinced moved to another part of the county that has soil that is not as sandy and definitely not as full of moles!

[Sandbar]

Here ya' go ..

http://themoletrap.com/

[Suzu]

If you can cultivate garden snakes - and they must get LARGE - they will go underground and hunt them. My idiot next door neighbor killed the big snake that lived between our houses in Ava, and now there are mole runs and holes all over that side of the yard.

[FritzDaKat]

I'll keep an eye out for a couple blacksnakes for ya' come spring, they had a good hatching season here it seems. Some pretty impressive "Parents" slithering around here. Nothing to compare to the 4' Blue Racer I spotted this spring thou.

[puttgirl]

I never could get rid of them either, but my cat has gotten as many as seven in a week. So he's my mole control!

[countrygma]

WE tried the vibrating thingys all summer and all they did was chase them around and make them come up someplace else...so we have many dirt patches all over the yard now. I just sent the link to the trap to hubby, and hopefully he will try that next year.

[windsng225]

The best thing I have found (and have stated this before on another thread) use the dryed fox urine. It works, it keeps them off your property. If you think about it, what would scare moles or other such things more..... a vibrating thingy or the scent of a fox lurking around. You sprinkle it around the circumfrance of your property (I think) every other day the first week, then three times the following week, then once a week till the stuff is gone. I haven't seen one in three years since I did the back yard. So the stuff works. Good luck.
joyce

[countrygma]

The best thing I have found (and have stated this before on another thread) use the dryed fox urine. It works, it keeps them off your property. If you think about it, what would scare moles or other such things more..... a vibrating thingy or the scent of a fox lurking around. You sprinkle it around the circumfrance of your property (I think) every other day the first week, then three times the following week, then once a week till the stuff is gone. I haven't seen one in three years since I did the back yard. So the stuff works. Good luck.
joyce

It's sure worth a try, but personally, I would think the vibrating things stuck right now into your den would be pretty upsetting.. Since they spend most of their time underground, I really didn't give much credence to anything used above ground, but I believe you and will give the urine a try. Thanks for the tip.

[Eccentric Follies]

Countrygma, did the vibrating thingys at least work to keep the moles out of certain areas? All i'm looking for is to keep them out of the veggie garden. They can go ahead and be a pain in ankle in the rest of the yard, they've just gotta stay out of the garden.

Didn't used to have moles until a former neighbor took it upon herself to kill every snake she came across. Now they are totally out of hand. And the little suckers have gotten way too cheeky this year, too. Just today i was out digging the garden expansion, when the loose dirt started moving. Right next to where i was digging! Started stabbing the moving dirt, but as usual, missed the little beggar. Aaaarrgghhh!!!

[countrygma]

Countrygma, did the vibrating thingys at least work to keep the moles out of certain areas? All i'm looking for is to keep them out of the veggie garden. They can go ahead and be a pain in ankle in the rest of the yard, they've just gotta stay out of the garden.

Didn't used to have moles until a former neighbor took it upon herself to kill every snake she came across. Now they are totally out of hand. And the little suckers have gotten way too cheeky this year, too. Just today i was out digging the garden expansion, when the loose dirt started moving. Right next to where i was digging! Started stabbing the moving dirt, but as usual, missed the little beggar. Aaaarrgghhh!!!

They might work if you have enough. We only had two.. they would leave the immediate area where the vibrator was and move three feet. All we did was chase them around the yard and flower beds all summer. Stick it in that hole and they move again.

[plot_thickens]

Anyone try ratters? Like terriers? They kick rabbit butt out here. Heh heh.

[countrygma]

Anyone try ratters? Like terriers? They kick rabbit butt out here. Heh heh.

I bet they do...and I bet they would leave even bigger holes than the rodents make. ;)

[Bird]

Our neighbor sets mole traps and it seems to keep the population down. It wouldn't help in enabling them the right to stay alive though, as it kills them when they enter the trap

[dandelion meadow]

A year or two ago I shared that I've used Ramik Green pellets (fish flavored poison) in the holes of gophers and it worked. The feed store recommended it. The company says it doesn't go into crops. I called them to ask. This year, gophers have entered the property on all three sides. The RG seems to be holding them at bay...although I keep adding pellets every day to one area. The tunnels were going straight for the garden areas. I was too busy with work to notice until they had made real inroads. Gophers DO eat plants. I saw pepper plants disappear overnight the first year I found gophers. RG isn't the greatest solution since domestic critters and gopher consuming wildlife could be harmed. Choices...

[countrygma]

Our neighbor sets mole traps and it seems to keep the population down. It wouldn't help in enabling them the right to stay alive though, as it kills them when they enter the trap

We have given them two years to cash in on their "right to stay alive" by getting out of our lawn. Now they have messed up and lost that right. :rolleyes:

[countrygma]

A year or two ago I shared that I've used Ramik Green pellets (fish flavored poison) in the holes of gophers and it worked. The feed store recommended it. The company says it doesn't go into crops. I called them to ask. This year, gophers have entered the property on all three sides. The RG seems to be holding them at bay...although I keep adding pellets every day to one area. The tunnels were going straight for the garden areas. I was too busy with work to notice until they had made real inroads. Gophers DO eat plants. I saw pepper plants disappear overnight the first year I found gophers. RG isn't the greatest solution since domestic critters and gopher consuming wildlife could be harmed. Choices...

I draw the line at using poisons. . I will use cats, dogs, and other lethal means when necessary but never poison. It kills too many animals that weren't the targets.

[Eccentric Follies]

They might work if you have enough. We only had two.. they would leave the immediate area where the vibrator was and move three feet. All we did was chase them around the yard and flower beds all summer. Stick it in that hole and they move again.


Thank you ma'am. Now all i need is a couple of cases of them to ring the garden with. Yeah, that should enhance my reputation in the neighborhood! :D LOL!!!!!

[countrygma]

Thank you ma'am. Now all i need is a couple of cases of them to ring the garden with. Yeah, that should enhance my reputation in the neighborhood! :D LOL!!!!!

You're most welcome.. and you also need a fat wallet..they were not exactly cheap. :eek:

PS..I won't tell the neighbors. ;)

[spud]

I've had moles problems in the past but my new neighbors use so many chemicals that they(the moles) don't bother or likely die on their lawns before they can make it to mine:mad:.

I've used the chocker loop trap with good results but that new style looks easier to use. If you set your traps on major runs and you are disiplined in resetting them you can really minimize them. They really make a mess in sandy areas, too bad cause they help with moisture absorption when it's really wet.

[LarryS]

I draw the line at using poisons. . I will use cats, dogs, and other lethal means when necessary but never poison. It kills too many animals that weren't the targets.

Gma, if you use the gopher poisons properly, there is essentially no possibility that any other animal can get to it. You have to dig down to find the main burrow and then add the poisoned peanuts or grain inside the tunnel. Then you cover it over. Only the gopher burrows that deep, and he will try to re-open his tunnel - supposedly finding the snack - and will be destroyed.

I have tried this, but am not impressed with the effect of the poison.

I use a gopher trap that slides into his tunnel. When he tries to push it out of the way, he is a goner. It takes a little time and experience to learn how to set these traps effectively, but they normally work well. Used to cost a buck and a half, now are about $6.50.

We have a resurgence of these pocket gophers this year, and they WILL eat your plants. I just havent had the time and the strong back to start eliminating them.

Incidentally, these destructive little devils have rather attractive fur. They may be multicoloured, and the fur is smooth. It is said that Indians looked for places where there was a lot of pocket gopher activity because that was also where the sandy soil was to be found. (I suspect the roasted and ate the little thieves too)
:)

[countrygma]

Gma, if you use the gopher poisons properly, there is essentially no possibility that any other animal can get to it. You have to dig down to find the main burrow and then add the poisoned peanuts or grain inside the tunnel. Then you cover it over. Only the gopher burrows that deep, and he will try to re-open his tunnel - supposedly finding the snack - and will be destroyed.

snip)

Larry, I'm sure you are correct about using poison, but I just can't do it. I almost lost a dog to poison once (the neighbors) and lost numerous birds of prey to poisoned rodents. I wouldn't have a box of poison on my property.

Re gophers..yeah.. we are fairly familiar with gophers and gopher trapping. Lived in gopher country in Idaho and hubby did a lot of trapping. Also.. gopher trapping was a big business. the ditch company paid by the tail to anyone who trapped. Some of the trappers would bring the bodies to us to freeze to feed to our birds of prey at the rehab center.. I agree..the fur is pretty.

What we are plagued with here are moles.. or voles.. some little underground rodents.. I have seen one.. It is bout 3 inches long.

[Blanesgarden]

On the radio...Ralph Snod Smith, I dont know how, but he comes on early sunday mornings here on SuperTalkMS 97.3, anyway.......
He said to take a piece of Juicy Fruit gum, roll it up, and place it into one of the tunnels.
Be sure to wear gloves, as to not get any human scent on the gum.
The varmits will eat this, and not be able to pass it, it clogs them up, the end.
Im gona try this, well let ya know.

[countrygma]

On the radio...Ralph Snod Smith, I dont know how, but he comes on early sunday mornings here on SuperTalkMS 97.3, anyway.......
He said to take a piece of Juicy Fruit gum, roll it up, and place it into one of the tunnels.
Be sure to wear gloves, as to not get any human scent on the gum.
The varmits will eat this, and not be able to pass it, it clogs them up, the end.
Im gona try this, well let ya know.

Ok.. what do you think you will see? Blown up moles lying around on your yard? :eek:;)

[Eccentric Follies]

You're most welcome.. and you also need a fat wallet..they were not exactly cheap. :eek:

PS..I won't tell the neighbors. ;)


i was afraid of that. Anyone know of any plans on the internet for those things? Last resort, i'll buy one and see if the DH can figure out how to make them.

And please do tell the neighbors. ;) Being wierd and different has worked out well for us. Even the roaming groups of street urchins leave us alone.

[Cheesecake]

Gum?
How many mole holes do you have?
If you are like me your yard is Swiss cheese, your pastures are Swiss cheese...and they don't sell those granules anymore ......... poison.

My Son is at war with moles and voles....literally.
He doesn't have a farm yard like me, he has a ''landscaped show piece of a yard'', and these critters are driving him nuts. He has purchased every thing available at the nursery and at MFA etc etc...he has put the hose down the holes to drown them...
fire crackers too, probably...dynamite?

I asked him the other night why he was outside so late...he was sitting there in full camouflage in his new mole stand....he's going to shoot them.

Avid Mole Hunters loose their minds :eek: :yikes:

[Ohiorganic]

Moles eat grubs and other such soil dwelling creatures. get rid of the food and the moles will go elsewhere. i have used beneficial nematodes to great effect with mole control (along with flea, Japanese beetle, etc.. control)

Voles are an herbivore and we have been at war with them for many years. We use dogs (not very effective but sure to enjoy hunting and catching them in the compost and occasionally digging into a fallow garden bed), our really really good mouser, Storca and traps (mouse traps put into a 12" x 12" box with two holes for the voles to enter and a removable lid. 2 traps per box. This is about 5x more effective than traps alone). Storca, in the 6 months we have had him, has put a major hurt on the vole population.