In
|
TOWNSEND MOLE (Scapanus
Townsendi) |
The
Townsend Mole is 6-7 inches in length, from nose to end of the body with a
tail that is about 2 inches in length. Click
here for image of a Townsend mole. |
|
PACIFIC MOLE (Scapanus Orarius) |
The
Pacific Mole is 5-5 ½ inches in length, from nose to end of the body with a
tail that is about 1 1/3 inches in length. Click
here for image of a Pacific Mole. |
The
main diet of moles is earthworms. Researchers have found that the average mole
can consume as much as 80% of its body weight in worms or insects per day. In
order to do this a mole can cover a large area in its daily search for food.
One mole’s territory can be as much as 10,000 sq. ft. or about ¼ acre. Moles
are efficient diggers and can construct 12 to 15 ft. of tunnel per hour. Mounds that appear on the surface are dirt
that result from tunnel construction. It is pushed up
from the tunnel through a chimney.
Moles
are solitary animals except during the breeding period. If a resident mole is
trapped nearby moles often migrate into and use established tunnel systems.
Breeding
occurs from late February through March. Litter size is from 3 to 5 young.
Moles are nearly full grown in 30 to 45 days when they are evicted from the
nest.
The
average life span of a mole is two to three years. Moles do not hibernate but
are active year around. Surface activity will decrease during periods of hot or
cold weather.
Once
the mole’s tunnel system is in place it may be used by other mammals that can
cause damage to ornamental plants such as bulbs and tubers. Some of these are
shrews and voles (field mice). The mole is blamed for the damage to plants but
since it does not feed on vegetative matter its guests are usually the
culprits.
Thurston county is also home to
the Western Pocket Gopher (Mazama Gopher). Jim Richardson “The Mole Guy” has extensive
experience with them in the SW area of the county. They have also been found as
far north as the
Gophers are mainly vegetative eaters. The mounds they create in construction of their burrows can be mistakenly confused with mole mounds. Mole mounds are normally symmetrical and resemble a volcano. Gopher mounds are formed by pushing soil in one direction and tend to be fan shaped.
It is important to distinguish between the two since different trapping techniques are required to control gophers.
Much as been written about how to control moles and eliminate them from areas that they are not welcome. Numerous home remedies have been tried over the years in man’s efforts to eliminate moles. Some of these are:
Poison Baits
Juicy Fruit Gum
Electrical Devices
Vibratory Devices
Flooding Tunnel Systems
Poisonous Fumes
Broken Glass
Moth Balls
Human Hair
Petroleum Products
Castor Oil
Sonic Devices
My experience as a professional nuisance wildlife control operator has resulted in the following observations.
1. None of the above are effective!
2. Moles can be controlled but not eliminated.
3. An effective trapping program best accomplishes control by the homeowner or a qualified professional trapper.
TRAPPING
A successful trapping program requires persistence, knowledge and experience. I use the Victor “Out of Sight” trap 99.9% of the time. On rare occasions I use the Victor Harpoon trap. Click here to display an image of some of the traps I use.
To order any of the following supplies, please contact bob@molebusters.com