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A little creature, almost a children's plush toy. Even pity causes, small eyes, covered with fur, and in some even skin. Accordingly, no vision, however, compensates for excellent touch and smell. Ears, too, are practically absent. Well, isn't it a poor animal? It turns out no. You will not get problems from it.
How to recognize a mole
Mole has extraordinary strength and agility. Suffice it to mention that his speed of movement underground is about 6 km / h. And what are the only front paws, equipped with decent-sized claws, which cause so much trouble and problems for gardeners-gardeners. If the mole has decided to rent a summer cottage or part of a vegetable garden, then the owner of the estate will immediately notice this, as there are hills of land that can be seen with the naked eye. Yes, it worked as a mole - a gardener.He leaves such signs of presence getting to the surface and pushing the earth out with his powerful paws. And what is surprising is that it is only up to 20 cm in size, and it is notable for its excellent appetite and tireless ability to work. All the prerequisites indicate that it is time to sound the alarm, and this moment is the beginning of a difficult struggle between man and animals.
Why do moles appear on the garden plot
It is impossible to blame moles, because it is heredity that is passed down from generation to generation. The eternal search for food. To survive, these mammals must almost constantly chew, otherwise without food they are given only 15 hours. Therefore, it is often necessary to eat 1.5 times its weight. And take so much food somewhere necessary.
Moles are by nature alone, but despite this, they manage to keep the occupied territory in their paws. Gradually, reserves are drying up, and then the migration period begins, the consequence of which are new tunnels and dug pits. Loneliness is also annoying, and animals try to settle closer to people. They especially like the care of a person about the land: constantly well-groomed, fed with fertilizers, watered - and this is the most favorable environment for the breeding and life of moles.
Garden plots are rich in food reserves, not only in plant form. By the way, mole plants do not seduce. Malicious insects that feed on human-grown crops live in the soil, and most of them are concentrated in cultivated areas. Considering the factor that all kinds of beetles, insects, earthworms, i.e. earth dwellers, is one of the main sources of food of the mole, they have to develop plantations inhabited by man. These mammals also feed on small rodents, absorbing whole families, and, as is known, the latter most often inhabit garden plots. And another reason for their appearance - the search for protection. Pets do not pose a direct threat to them, their specific smell serves as a protective weapon to the mole. But the predators living in the vicinity are already a serious danger.
But, unfortunately, the conditions comfortable for the mole do not please a person, and peaceful coexistence becomes impossible.
What is the danger of a mole?
Appearing on the garden plot, the mole tirelessly digs new tunnels, gradually tidying up its entire territory.Within one day, the animal is able to dig a labyrinth about 50 meters long, leaving behind itself pits and earthen mounds.
The aboveground part of the vegetation is not destroyed intentionally, but begins to die gradually, if the root system gets in the path of the mole and remains bare. In addition, eating worms, harmful and beneficial insects, it impoverishes the soil, after which its suitability for agricultural work is lost. Yes, and the aesthetic appearance of the recently groomed lawn, garden or vegetable garden cannot but disappoint the owner of the summer cottage, since it is problematic in terms of time and additional material costs to restore the ruins that have appeared.
Immediately for humans, moles do not represent a particular danger. Only it is not very pleasant to walk on the loosened earth and carefully bypass each hole so as not to get into it with your foot. Grateful moles for their work can only be vole mice that use the abandoned burrows, and the gardener additionally has to look for methods of dealing with these rodents. Another problem that cannot be ignored is the fact that small workers of gardens and kitchen gardens are carriers of various infections.
The benefits of the mole in the garden
Despite the serious damage caused by the mole, there are some positive points. On a par with useful and harmful insects are destroyed, as well as field mice, and this is a plus. Paradox, but loosening the ground, the animal promotes fertility.
Mole is valued as a fur animal. The skin, though small in size, is durable, and the fur is thick, shiny and velvety.
Ways and methods to get rid of the mole
Summer residents are inventive people and over the years have accumulated considerable experience in dealing with a small pest. The methods are very different in time and efficiency.
Initially, it is necessary to examine the entire area riddled by moles, to determine their active course. Then, using a probe, make a hole and lower the bait into it, poisoned by any poison for rodents. Season the earthworms with arsenic or rat, divide into portions and arrange into molehills and dug trenches, and bury the holes with earth. 20 minutes is enough (the time during which the worms are still alive), so that the mole, guided by its smell, can find food, eat it and die. Drug, if possible, lay on the bottom of the tunnel.If this method is not effective the first time, then repeat the procedure.
Deratization method is considered very effective.. Chemical products such as rodenticides and fumigants are used especially for moles. Their composition includes damaging substances. One of the chemical methods of destruction can be the use of poisonous gas, which is pumped into the maze. But these methods have a significant disadvantage. Poisoned compounds are dangerous for pets and children, as well as adversely affect the surrounding area and soil cover.
Hunger - the worst thing that can offer a mole. And the struggle should begin with a power source. And they are insects, their larvae, earthworms. To reduce their numbers, pesticides are used. As a result, the harmful animal will not withstand the hungry blockade and will go to look for food to other areas.
And for the remaining individuals it is possible to offer the mole trap - a tool that serves both as bait and animal trick. Their designs are the most diverse - strangles, crossbows, traps. Tunnel mole trap is most effective.Their design allows you to lure the beast, and he will not be able to get out without outside help. The active course of the animal has already been determined, it remains to establish a mechanism for fishing. For a successful result, it is important to attach the system at the top of the hole and cover it so that it is not visible. Only one indispensable condition, the observance of which will help not to scare away the pest: it is impossible that the smell of human hands remains on the traps, since the weak sight of the mole is compensated by an excellent sense of smell. It is advisable to set traps in spring and autumn - this is the time of activity of animals. In the spring, all young offspring will be trapped.
A person can also become a peculiar instrument of fishing.. With patience, armed with a shovel, get settled in the place of digging the mole and wait for the outbreak of land outside. Then you need to have time to thrust the instrument of labor across the course, throw the beast out and catch, which does not always work. For some gardeners, the degree of despair is so great that they prefer to use the radical method. But if the desire to catch a living pest above all, you should use the following method.Find a fresh course, open it a few meters and leave open on both sides. The mole is a gentle creature; in a few minutes it will hasten to get rid of the draft, closing the holes. As soon as he gets to work, you need to stick a shovel behind him, block the road, and open the entrance with your hands. Thus, the mole will be trapped. Now the main thing is not to get lost and grab the body.
An effective method of struggle is the use of ultrasonic repellers.. Such a device will protect the area from moles due to sound pulses with a certain frequency. It is absolutely harmless to pets and plants. Even if the problem cannot be solved forever, it will help to get rid of the beast for a long time.
The next type of repeller is vibratory. Moles quickly pick up low-frequency vibrations propagating in the soil, feel uncomfortable with such a neighbor and go back home. In terms of efficiency, the vibration scarer is better than the ultrasonic one.
There is a model of electronic scarers with solar batteries. They are charged by solar energy. Being safe for others, they emit sound signals.In the daytime, power comes from the sun, at night - from a recharged solar battery.
Natural repellents produce a citrus scent, which animals do not like, and, smelling this smell, they are forced to flee.
The above mentioned instruments are produced by industry, therefore, they can be bought in the trade network. As for folk methods, the country craftsmen also succeeded.
Pour the mole can be flooded with water. Normal garden hose to lower into the hole and fill until the beast crawls out.
The next rationalization proposal of farmers is the use of liquids and substances with a specific odor. Naphthalene, lime, tobacco, and even rotten fish that are placed in molehills are used. Or pour a mixture of fuel oil with kerosene in a 2: 1 ratio into the dug pits, fill it with soil and pack it. Foul-smelling remedies will drive out the mole family.
A self-made device from a plastic bottle can also be tried.. The design is very simple: a piece of waste plumbing pipe to hammer into the ground below the level of the dug highway. Insert reinforcement with a diameter of 8 mm into its upper opening and fix it with a wooden stopper in the pipe.Having made a hole in the bottom of the bottle, and its walls are 4 slots with bent edges, put it on the pin. Such a whirlwind with a gust of wind creates a sound effect that the animal cannot bear, and if several such weathercocks are put on the site, then after some time the exhausted owners will find peace. Instead of plastic, a tin can with small stones will fit, the trills of which can be passed on to the ground as a conductor.
Prevention of the appearance of moles
In order to secure their garden plots, dacha owners are advised to think in advance about preventive measures so that later they do not have to look for more radical methods of control. The simplest and, besides, beautiful option is to plant plants, the smell of which the animal does not tolerate. These are marigolds, daffodils, garlic, decorative onions. Also help to save the situation beds with legumes.
Castor oil seeds differ in the content of castor oil, which is deadly for moles.
In addition, in order to prevent their occurrence, it is worthwhile, with the onset of spring, to make a fencing of the plot, having dug sheets of tin or slate into the ground to a depth of 1 meter.Of course, the implementation of this method will take a lot of time and will take away enough physical strength, but such defense will block the path of the enemy.
These activities will greatly facilitate the preparation for gardening work, and if all the same uninvited guests descend, then at least one of the recommended methods of dealing with moles will certainly help.
Video: how to get rid of moles
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