[CH] Moles
Tantrika (hummer13@earthlink.net)
Tue, 20 Jul 1999 10:24:21 -0700
We were discussing these critters on another list and someone shared this with
us:
According to Common-Sense Pest Control: ''Moles are much-maligned, delicate
creatures that improve the soil, eat many insect pests and get
blamed for damage they do not cause....in the long run, it is best if moles
can
be tolerated, since their insectivorous diet is beneficial to the
gardener...grass damaged by moles often recovers quickly, and moles rarely
stay
in lawns for long periods of time unless poor cultural practices are
enouraging
high insect populations...they eat many pestiferous beetle larvae such as the
white grubs ground in lawns..also eat earthworms, spiders, and centipedes.
Occasionally moles eat a small amount of vegetable matter, especially if it
has
been softened by water...It has been shown that moles will starve to death if
offered only plant food....There may be..unfounded fear that mole tunneling
will damage nearby trees...In fact, the only real damage caused by moles is as
a result of their shallow tunnels lifting up the turf or garden soil and
allowing the plant roots to dry out.'' However, you can press back the soil
with your foot and water the area thoroughly.
<<http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0942391632/o/qid=932347370/sr=8-1/
002-1158249-1378860>http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0942391632/o/qid
=932347370/sr=8-1/002-1158249-1378860>
no reason to kill 'em, really. They help.
The critters that harm plants are voles, ground squirrels, woodchucks,
gophers,
and mice.