Thursday 8 September 2005

War with the Moles

We had just one mole in our garden - and he wrecked havoc - we had advice from many different quarters on the best way to get rid of it - whenever we went in the garden it had made another mole hill - you would not think something so small could do such damage -  Advice ranged from soaking rope in parafin and putting down the hole....Putting the hose pipe down  and flooding him out -but I think moles must be able to swim because that did not deter him (more mole hills that ever) - suspect  he came up for air now and again - someone suggested we get a shot gun and fire it into one of the mole hills - couldnt do this - didnt have a shot gun....We tried mole traps, but thankfully never caught him in one....My Dad said when they had moles he would wait and as soon as he saw the soil start  to move  he quickly dug the fork in and threw the mole out - How horrible - didnt try that one either....I personally began to feel very sorry for the little chap - having just seen a picture of one - they have little hands or what look like hands....Hubby did eventually catch it alive - so we took it near the woods and set it free to cause havoc somewhere else...

A few days after this fiasco we were driving home along the same road we released him and there was this small creature right in the path of our car - a motor cyclist coming toward us also stopped - He was a very big chap but waited while I gingerly got out of the car newspaper in hand - in case it was something that might bite me. went and gathered it up in the paper - of all things it was a mole  -  they are so soft like velvet and really do have little hands - I quickly went to the kirb and released in the field - I like to think it was the one who wrecked our lawn - just stopping to say hello.....Ally

 

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

I think moles are cute just not in a garden LOL
They do look like a mouse
Terrie

Anonymous said...

Ah, I am so glad you did not kill him.  After all they do not do it deliberately, wrecking our gardens, they are only going about their own business.  Yes, they have wonderful soft coats and are dear little creatures.  Almost totally blind. I believe they can bite but only in self defence.  Glad you did your good turn for the day and helped the little creatures out.

Anonymous said...

Ally that was charming, They do make a mess of the lawn though,I always think of Moley from Wind in the willows,he was quite a shy creature I believe.    Jan xx

Anonymous said...

Awww, moles are so cute aren't they :o)
I'm glad that your little friend didn't get himself caught in one of those traps, and that he stopped you to say thank you, and hello again!
Sara  x

Anonymous said...

My dog dug up a large one.  Though I was told that ours in this area are Voles, not moles.   Salty was tossing him and had him in his mouth.  I put him away by the fence row and later he seemed to appear dead.   Then later on he was gone and there was no other dogs around so I don't know what happened to him.  Usually they are smaller than that one.   My entire yard has them and it doesn't bother me.   I have apple trees that the deer would come to feed on, and they produce spotty apples, but with the drought there was not a crop like on good years.   Take care,   mark