Now the moles

:speech_balloon: Grab a chair, kick off your shoes, chill and chat.
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niemeyjt
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Now the moles

#11 Post by niemeyjt »

Hotrodder wrote: ↑Wed Jun 29, 2022 9:26 amGetting sick of it and wishing I had purchased a https://youtu.be/CgztUzqaL3E years ago. Expensive but effective.
The end results of that look worse than what the moles leave!

Mangetout
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Now the moles

#12 Post by Mangetout »

I've said it so many times before, but I'll say it again. Old fashioned scissor mole traps. Cost about 8 euros a pair. Suggest you read up about the habits of moles and then you'll understand how to place them for success. I've been using them for 20 years. When you catch one, release it from the trap and push it back down the hole. It deters other moles.

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Blaze
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Now the moles

#13 Post by Blaze »

Mangetout wrote: ↑Wed Jun 29, 2022 2:41 pm Old fashioned scissor mole traps
We've used them successfully too.

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Hotrodder
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Now the moles

#14 Post by Hotrodder »

I collected some new specs this morning and the person serving me gave me a tip about moles. Push a marshmallow down the hole. She says the moles eat them and get a serious bellyache. Sounds ludicrous but these days I'll try anything. It also has the benefit of being cheap. I forgot to ask how many I would need to treat 7000 sqm.
On my headstone it will say: Please switch off mobile phones. I'm trying to get some sleep.

rabbit
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Now the moles

#15 Post by rabbit »

Mangetout wrote: ↑Wed Jun 29, 2022 2:41 pm I've said it so many times before, but I'll say it again. Old fashioned scissor mole traps. Cost about 8 euros a pair. Suggest you read up about the habits of moles and then you'll understand how to place them for success. I've been using them for 20 years. When you catch one, release it from the trap and push it back down the hole. It deters other moles.
The problem with traps is finding the runs. It is no use putting them in the galleries where they discharge the spoil. I have tried prodding the soil with a spike to find the runs but without much success. Next time I am going to try the petards

Mangetout
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Now the moles

#16 Post by Mangetout »

I understand about finding the runs, and do sometimes put traps there. But normally I remove the soil from the hills, dig down and try to find at least 2 entry/ exit runs and then put a trap each way. I normally put out at least six sets to catch the mole. Sometimes they are very near the surface, other times quite deep. But it always works.

Polarengineer
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Now the moles

#17 Post by Polarengineer »

It would seem that all that digging to find the runs makes a bigger mess of the lawn than the mole's work. I leave them to thier fun and just kick over the mole heaps every now and then. The heaps are also ready made potting soil when mixed with a bit of grow stuff.

niemeyjt
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Now the moles

#18 Post by niemeyjt »

Polarengineer wrote: ↑Sat Jul 09, 2022 5:27 pmThe heaps are also ready made potting soil when mixed with a bit of grow stuff.
Ideal loam for anyone making John Innes Composts.

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Hotrodder
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Now the moles

#19 Post by Hotrodder »

Polarengineer wrote: ↑Sat Jul 09, 2022 5:27 pm It would seem that all that digging to find the runs makes a bigger mess of the lawn than the mole's work. I leave them to thier fun and just kick over the mole heaps every now and then. The heaps are also ready made potting soil when mixed with a bit of grow stuff.
Every morning as I walk the dog around the perimeter I kick over between 6 and 12 new hills. By the afternoon there are 3 or 4 more. This routine is my life every day, with little variation over the year. Collecting the hills for one day's production fills a wheelbarow. I have no need for that much soil and if I leave it in a heap somewhere the weeds just grow on top. More labour for no benefit. Over the years I have spent literally hundreds trying to get rid of the sods. Two or three days respite at the most in over ten years.
On my headstone it will say: Please switch off mobile phones. I'm trying to get some sleep.

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Quiksilver
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Now the moles

#20 Post by Quiksilver »

As Mangetout says, the secret to deterring the next lot from moving in is to leave the cadavre in the run. It's a fairly clear message to potential new arrivals :(

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