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Michigan

We have a huge prob with moles in the area that contains my patch, so I've been checking out different options for preventing them from ruining my plants. Would prefer to stay away from any product that will be destructive to my worm population as well. I had an idea though, and wondered if anyone had tried it before and if it sounds feasible. I was thinking of digging a trench around the perimeter of the patch so that I could bury some aluminum flashing. It comes in a roll that is approx 1 foot wide. Hopefully, this would prevent any mole, gopher, vole type of rodent from burrowing into the patch (at least from within a foot of the surface). Their runs seem to be pretty shallow. I used this product previously to keep my JRT from digging out of the back yard, and thought maybe it could work in reverse! Any thoughts?

~Jessica

1/11/2006 1:02:09 PM

Indiana

The flashing doesnt sound like a bad idea it couldnt hurt. I would make sure you fold over the top edge to prevent a nasty cut!

1/11/2006 1:56:38 PM

Okla

Here is some info I ran across this past year when moles overcame all our plants.

http://www.themoleman.com
http://www.victorpest.com/mole_gopher_home.htm

on victor's website the link for the traps is on the left side. The trap on the top of that webpage, the plunger type is the one I had best luck with, but others have said they have better luck with the scissor type. I tried them both last year. Anyone else have any thoughts on which trap they think is the better one?
There is a lot of great info on themoleman.com website.

1/11/2006 2:51:42 PM

Norton, MA

Aluminum flashing? Taking the kitty route eh. Dig the trench but about 10X wider and deeper, fill with nuclear waste products, and put an electric fence with razor wire on the outer edge. Works wonders on pesky neighbors too! AleX Noel.

1/11/2006 6:57:13 PM

Michigan

Thanks for the links Thomas! I found this on one of the sites:

"Exclusion for Moles and Gophers
Hardware cloth (1/4" mesh) can be buried around flower or garden plots in recommended L-shaped footer configuration. Concrete edges buried 8 to 12 inches underground when used can keep weeds from spreading into flower beds and may repel moles from tunneling. These methods of control can be extremely costly and labor intense and should only be considered if extreme conditions prevail."

I'll have to see about finding the hardware cloth, sounds like the exact same concept. I know that the flashing isn't "extremely costly" though.

~Jessica

1/11/2006 8:05:04 PM

Okla

They sell the hardware cloth or also called hail screen at any hardware store and lumber yard. They sell it in different size rolls. I know they have it at Atwoods Farm Store in Lawton so they should have it at any Tractor Supply Stores. Good thing about the hardware cloth is it will let roots grow thru versus something solid turning the roots back.

1/11/2006 11:34:25 PM

Cameron,ontario Team Lunatic

Jessica

I had moles last year & they are tough to try to get rid of. I used moth balls with not much success. There is a product called Talpirid (spelling?). It's a worm shaped bait. Apparently it's suppost to work well at killing them. Not available in Canada though, so I can't tell you anymore about it. You should be able to find it though. Contact Steve (Tremor) about more info. He's the guy that knows about this stuff. Good Luck.

Phil

1/12/2006 6:37:20 AM

Indiana

check the post on moles about 6 posts down.

1/12/2006 11:37:35 AM

Eau Claire, WI

I tried a physical barrier for moles once. I rented a trencher and dug a 3 ft trence around my garden and buried 3 ft wide, fine wire mesh around the perimeter. The moles quickly tunneled under it. I don't think it helped at all. If I tried it again, I would have bent the bottom 6" or so at a 90 degree angle so when the mole hit the fence and dug down, they would hit another horizontal barrier at the bottom. This might help but I wouldn't bet on it. Overall, it was a waste of time and money.

1/16/2006 1:05:46 PM

Itzetown City

Sending them notices to quit their roomes and set up sign posts "No entrance for moles" works well here.

1/16/2006 1:35:28 PM

Garden State Pumpkins

if ya got em ..get em with the traps...eliminate the food source and they will leave...imcloprid

1/16/2006 8:32:11 PM

Michigan

Thanks all...hubby was busy setting traps today!!

1/17/2006 12:19:44 AM

Ohio

I tried just about everthing last year, Poisons dont seem to work for me, nether did the hose connected to my four wheeler muffler then inserted in the moles tunnel in diffrent places in my patch for about a hour.Using a trap is the best way to go, start early before spring babies arrive! I hate them little sum^%$^%$*(^!!!

1/18/2006 11:39:57 PM

ordinary,VA

hahahahaah-- i hear u Brooks

1/19/2006 10:22:07 AM

Michigan

I DO TO Brooks!! We aleady have, lierally, hundreds of runs and plenty of mounds all throughout our yard!!! Setting traps daily, but each day, I have noticed at lest 4-5 new runs in my patch. Making me VERY nervous!

1/19/2006 3:18:39 PM

San Jose garysand@pacbell.net

I think this will do the trick

http://www.rodenator.com/videos.html

1/19/2006 3:41:36 PM

Indiana

Woa that looks like fun!!!!!

1/19/2006 4:37:32 PM

Michigan

wow!

1/19/2006 10:26:12 PM

Michigan

wow!

1/19/2006 10:26:18 PM

Michigan

and wow again!!

1/19/2006 10:31:12 PM

Follansbee, Wv

That had to be invented by a redneck...hey guys WATCH THIS!

Would be interesting to stick that thing into a split pumpkin and pull the trigger :)

1/20/2006 8:17:52 AM

Indiana

How about putting it in a 55 gal plastic barrel BOOM

1/20/2006 8:36:22 AM

Knopp, Germany

Wow, at $1,900 I wish I could just rent one. That is too cool. If I was stateside, I would go and ask them if I could test drive it, just for the kicks.

1/20/2006 8:45:38 AM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

A propane burner will get you the same results, just make sure the tunnel does not got into the goat barn. They get a little nervous. :)

1/20/2006 9:09:52 AM