MOLES – Talpa Europaea
If someone asks you if you have ever seen a mole, the answer would most likely be no! If asked the same question about molehills, then the answer would probably be a resounding yes! Many gardeners fear finding these tell-tale signs of mole activity as it can only mean that damage and distress will follow. Molehills are caused by a mole, or moles, digging feeding tunnels to catch food. The digging of these tunnels can affect many areas including gardens, lawns, flower beds, vegetable plots and surrounding areas damaging roots and plants in the process. The mole activity can last all year...
Read MoreWelcome to Autumn!
The trees are changing in colour and the temperatures are starting to fall, autumn is here! As the leaves fall and the outside environment changes, many animals will be changing their respective routines to prepare for the on-coming colder period. Birds that have not migrated will be looking to establish safe and warm roosting areas and if any properties have the necessary defects, they will quickly become home. Rodents are already taking advantage of properties in many areas, with mice and rats having moved in and set up ever growing colonies. Squirrels are masters of invasion, managing to...
Read MoreVERMIN
Vermin -“Wild animals which are believed to be harmful to crops, farm animals, or game, or which carry disease, e.g. rodents.” Origin: Middle English (originally denoting animals such as reptiles and snakes): from Old French, based on Latin vermis ‘worm’. There is a lot of talk about vermin or vermin control and it usually refers to rodents, rats, mice, birds including pigeons and sometimes foxes. It normally means that a certain animal has become a pest and needs to be killed or removed. No animals or birds are actually classified as vermin and what one person may consider to be vermin may...
Read MoreMOLES AND THAT HOT SUMMER
What a summer! The weather has been very hot to say the least and many people have enjoyed the sun and reaped its benefits. Nature has had to adapt to the very dry conditions to preserve valuable moisture, none more so than the mole. A very hard-working animal that few have ever seen, but its results are everywhere – MOLEHILLS! As the ground dried out, these industrious creatures were forced to new areas to feed on their primary source of food, worms. Molehills started to appear everywhere very soon in the season as the heatwave took hold and the ground became parched. It is generally...
Read MoreSPOTLIGHT ON VERWOOD IN DORSET
Verwood is a town and parish found in Dorset and is situated 5 miles north west of Ringwood in Hampshire. The local river is called the Crane which eventually becomes the Moors river. The town is surrounded by both heathland and forest and also farm land. The heathland has always figured in the history of the town, providing clay and sand for pottery products and the natural ingredients for animal food and brushes. Agriculture has always played a large part as well. Being a larger town often attracts animals, insects and birds and this is certainly the case in Verwood due to its rural...
Read MoreMOLES AT LARGE!
The weather may be damp, cold, wet or warm, it does not matter to the mole, everywhere you look at the moment there is evidence that the mole has already been there! There has been a population explosion again with more to come and more and more areas are falling victim to this industrious creature causing damage, grief and possible expense. Molehills can be found just about anywhere, from grass roadside verges, paddocks, playing fields, golf courses, gardens, fields and even on roundabouts on busy roads. In towns including Ferndown, West Moors, Verwood, Christchurch and in the centre of...
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