FAST FACTS – MOLES
The latin name is Talpa europaea and they are mammals. The male mole is referred to as a “boar”, the female is a “sow” and a group is called a “labour”. Moles are capable of digging through up to 15 metres of soil an hour! Most of a moles’ life is spent underground. The first signs of mole activity or mole digging are molehills, which is the excavated soil from their tunnels. The mole has poor eyesight and no ears, relying on extreme senses of smell and touch. Moles are carnivores. The saliva of a mole can paralyze worms! Continuous tunnelling by moles can undermine plant roots causing...
Read MoreMidsummer Madness!
We are now over half way through the summer and with record breaking temperatures and even flooding, the environment is certainly changing. Already this year we have seen vast numbers of flying ants on several occasions, with numbers so large that great swarms even appeared on weather radars giving the false impressions of rain clouds! Birds were in the news when licences for culling were suspended (and indeed are still in doubt) giving the chance for some species numbers to swell rapidly, which could have a dramatic effect in the future. Nesting birds can also cause problems, not only with...
Read MoreMOLES – 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 MoreWasps – The basics
Wasps are not considered as a public health risk, but if a wasps nest is found in or around your property or garden, then I am sure you will disagree! If a nest is disturbed in any way, either by human or animal interference, then wasps will sting and will protect their nest vigorously, attacking anything within a suitable distance. The effects of a wasps’ sting can vary from person to person, ranging from being painful, to being very serious, especially if the person stung suffers an attack of Anaphylaxis, this is a severe and potentially life-threatening reaction to a trigger such as an...
Read MoreFAST FOOD AND RODENTS
When it comes to the choice of fast foods available, it seems the list is endless! Many types of cuisine are available from many locations, be it pizzas, burgers, fish and chips, gourmet meals, barbeques, snacks, sweets or even ice creams. A wander along a local high street in Winton, Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch, Verwood, Ringwood or Wimborne, will reveal multiple choices of food available that are readily available to purchase and enjoy. The problems arise from the waste that is produced or discarded, giving rise to unwanted visits from rodents and other pests. The majority of waste is...
Read MoreRESPONSIBLE BIRD FEEDING
Recent surveys carried out have suggested that almost half the gardens in the UK have bird tables or bird feeders and it is estimated that a staggering £150 million each year in the UK, is spent on bird food of one sort or another!! It is becoming a regular occurrence to find rat problems being caused by food that is being placed or used incorrectly for feeding birds or other wildlife. Surveys carried out by local councils in the past revealed that more than three quarters reported that bird feeding was increasing rat numbers. Rats and mice are born to be scavengers and will look for food...
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