Autumn has arrived!
Now the Autumn equinox is with us, the days will slowly get shorter and the nights longer and normal life, in general, tends to slow down a little. This of course is not the case for animals and insects, the rush in on to feed up before possible hibernation, or to find suitable homes ready for the inevitable cold weather that will eventually arrive in the winter. In our countryside, gardens and other suitable locations, moles are still very much active and always on the lookout for fresh feeding grounds, rich in insects and worms to feed on, to sustain them through the coming months. They...
Read MoreWHAT ATTRACTS A MOLE?
With the better weather and lack of rain, more time can be spent in our gardens admiring plants and wildlife. The same can be said for moles! Their main purpose is to search for food by digging multiple tunnels which can satisfy this need. Basic garden maintenance can encourage moles into our gardens, freshly dug soil, mown grass and newly laid turf can all stimulate worm and insect activity, which in turn can provide fresh feeding areas for moles in certain areas. Watering of a garden during dry spells is a definite attraction. Although plants are not on the menu for moles, their constant...
Read MoreMole Activity
The mole population across the UK certainly seems to have increased at a vast rate this year! It may be because of wet and warmer winters and generally more rain producing better conditions for worms, the prime food for moles. Moles are built to dig. Their body shape and very powerful front claws are ideal for shifting large amounts of soil in a short space of time. A technique similar to swimming is used to construct feeding tunnels, which in turn can create ridges or molehills. These can seriously affect a lawn, garden, paddock, flower bed or vegetable patch, to name but a few. The tunnels...
Read MoreMole activity in the summer.
Summer is here! It must be as the summer migrant birds have arrived, the Swallow, Swift, Nightjar and even the Cuckoo. Oh yes and even the rain, without which our lawns and gardens would not grow. Especially in Dorset, now is the time to enjoy the outdoors with longer warmer evenings, maybe a spot of gardening, a walk along the beach at Bournemouth, Christchurch or Poole or just sat on the patio or decking at home. But wait a minute, what is that pile of earth in the lawn? What is that unusual ridge in the flower border? Why has my lawn become uneven? Why are some of my plants showing...
Read MoreThe Molecatcher
Mention a molehill to a serious gardener or someone that really loves their beautiful, lush green lawn and no doubt, you will see a flicker of fear appear! It is the thought of hours of work and loving tendering, being wiped out in minutes by a small furry animal that is seldom seen, but the damage certainly is. At one time, strychnine, a powerful poison was used to kill off moles, but this was rightfully banned in 2006 as non- target species, such as birds and other animals were being killed as well. Various methods are often employed to rid an area of moles and these can include: Putting...
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