One of my reoccurring problems has been moles. They tend to
mess up plans and provide a constant nuisance. I wrote
something about how to deal with them a few years ago but
things have changed. Some of my ideas were wrong and a new
book has appeared on the topic. For those interested i'll
summarize the problem and some of the new ideas.
The problem for us is to design using permaculture principles
and factor in mole activity. This has only been a problem in
zones close to the house and in the accuracy of mole
feedback. In other words, those moles are difficult to
understand.
Mole knowledge was boosted a little by a book i found two
days ago. It is self published by a man near here and is the
best source of information i've found. Rather than repeat
standard ideas or the views of experts it actually recites
research and comes up with some new conclusions.
The author makes his living dispatching moles so it is based
on both experience and research. The book is:
Of Moles and Men:
The Battle for the Turf
by: Patrick Thompson
www.molemeister.com
The whole book pokes fun at extension services and
publications giving mole advice. Turns out that
most of todays data is based on opinion and nothing
else, so the author spent a lot of time debunking
current opinions.
Here are a few of the myths:
Myth: Moles hibernate or slow down during the winter.
Fact: Moles alternate work and rest in 4 hour intervals
all year long.
Myth: Moles are insectivorous and seldom bother plants.
Fact: Moles are omnivores and our local Townsend mole
likes tulips, irises, carrots, potatoes, peas,
oats, corn, etc. Their favorite bulb is tigridias
Myth: Mole activity can be monitored by counting the
mole hills.
Fact: Moles may be patrolling existing tunnels and not
pushing dirt up. The surface can appear smooth.
Myth: Tilling or digging disturbs moles and reduces
their population.
Fact: Tilling or other soil disturbance increases mole
activity. This has been measured but why it happens
isn't clear.
Myth: Moles improve the soil and farmers should learn to
live with them.
Fact: Farm yield and soil quality all go down when moles
are present. Once again it is unclear why this
happens but it can be measured.
This takes us up to page 46 and it goes on for
another 100 pages. Is this data of interest to anyone
besides me?
jeff
