Not sure if I have moles or voles? I live in the countryside with a small natural stream in the garden. The 'soil' is a clay based concrete of stones and builder's rubble so nothing has tried to burrow under my lawn but the areas I have improved, next to the stream, were colonised over the summer with tunnels and small hills. Both my edible rhubarb and two ornamental rheums went yellow and disappeared without trace! I have been wondering if I have voles eating the roots as surely I would have found dried up roots if it was just a case of moles excavating them? Also, for a time-consuming and possibly expensive solution to moles how about re-laying your lawn on a good thick layer of compressed hard core with just a couple of inches of soil on top?! (That's what I seem to have already and the miner hasn't ventured there!)
I had the same trouble in France with various locals giving me their wisdom. The plumber suggested broken glass down the holes as mole are haemophyliacs, this worked for a while and next season I had to pick the glass off the new hills or risk puncturing the tractor mower tyres!! I have heard that ladies tights or pop socks works as they get their claws entangled and move elsewhere. Diesel soaked rags is also being suggested. Here's hoping.
I was recently visited by a mole - I looked down to find him standing by my foot! He seemed to have lost his way home because he trotted off down the garden path trying to find an exit. I later saw him several times wandering up and down the path then my dog spotted him from the window.Although I did not want Mr Mole in my garden I did not want the dog to catch him so got out my sonic mole scarer and have not seen him since.
Moles come and go leaving little hills which I sieve for potting material, stones go on the gravel drive. One spring I noticed an energetic ripple just under the surface of a weedy bed. It went on for 3-4 yards. Intrigued I waited to see if a snake, weasel or other burrower emerged - out tumbled two baby pink nosed moles playing together. Although I hate their descration of the lawn I could not do other than delight in their antics. My cat pees on the molehills.
For the first time in 33 years I had mole hills on my tiny lawn - have put in a sonic solar repeller - 2 weeks later a mole hill appeared right next to it!!- prior to that I planted cuttings of a plant (sorry don't know correct name) supposed to deter moles -fingers crossed my lawn has now been clear for 3 weeks.
Yes, it is indeed so that moles DO NOT like vibrations. We have used this fact to our advantage by initially, and sucessfully, planting a garden cane topped with a supermarket carrier bag into the effected area. We have now progressed through a variety of more aesthetically pleasing versons of this method, eg homemade flags, childrens windmills, and now have a couple geese with spring loaded wings flying on top of metal canes. All work a treat. Remove the deterrent and Mr Mole returns, only to vacate to pastures new when the vibrators are re-instated.
Well, I spoke too soon. He hasn't gone, just stopped moving through the lawn and is pottering up and down the flower beds. To be honest, moles are the least of my worries at the moment so I'll just leave him be!!
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Also, for a time-consuming and possibly expensive solution to moles how about re-laying your lawn on a good thick layer of compressed hard core with just a couple of inches of soil on top?! (That's what I seem to have already and the miner hasn't ventured there!)
One spring I noticed an energetic ripple just under the surface of a weedy bed. It went on for 3-4 yards. Intrigued I waited to see if a snake, weasel or other burrower emerged - out tumbled two baby pink nosed moles playing together. Although I hate their descration of the lawn I could not do other than delight in their antics.
My cat pees on the molehills.
Am going to try the plastic bag on a cane to see if it works!