Mole Control

by: Dr. Mario Villarino
Hopkins County Extension Agent

 

There are several species of moles in the United States, but the only one found in

Texas is the eastern mole (Scalopus aquaticus). Moles are small, burrowing mammals that

feed on insects. They eat from 70 to 100 percent of their weight each day to compensate for the tremendous amount of energy expended in burrowing through soil. Because of their food

requirements, moles must cover a larger area than most animals that live underground.

Three to five moles per acre is considered a high population for most areas. Moles destroy only a few plants or bulbs by direct feeding. The main damage is done when

plant roots are dislodged as the animal’s tunnel through the soil in search of insects. Their burrowing can disfigure lawns and parks, destroy flower beds, tear up the roots of grasses and create havoc in small garden plots. Trapping can be a satisfactory method of control

when the habits and instincts of the mole are understood. There are special mole traps designed to take advantage of mole’s behavior. Harpoon and choker loop traps encircle or are suspended above the runway. The trap’s trigger pan rests on the dirt blockage. Pushing into the dirt obstruction, the mole lifts the trigger pan and releases the trap

spring. Traps are available at hardware, lawn and garden, or farm and ranch supply stores.

 

 

Rural Energy for America Program. The Hopkins County Extension Office has organized a Rural Energy Program to be held at the Hopkins County Extension Office March 15, 2010 at 6:00 PM. The program is plan to explain a new USDA program that provides financial assistance for the purpose of purchasing and installing renewable energy systems and making energy efficiency improvements in rural areas in the form of grants, guaranteed loans and combinations of grant/guaranteed loans. Eligible applicants include agriculture producers and rural small businesses. Applicants must have site control and own and operate the system which will be financed for a reasonable term consistent with the economic life of the project. Please call 903-885-3443 to register to the seminar.  

Predator Control 

We are inquiring for your interest in predator control training. The training is provided by the Texas Department of Agriculture. If you are interested in the training (including chemical control of coyotes) please call the Hopkins County Extension Office at 903-885-3443 and sign-up. Once we have a group of ten students or more, we will request the training to be provided in Hopkins County. The duration of the training is 3-4 hours, and an instructor will provide the test for licensing afterwards. If you decide you do not want to apply for the license, you can also get a 3 CEU (1 law/1 IPM/1 Gen) certificate at the end of the training

Coming Up!

Hoof trimming for diary workers, in Spanish. We will have Dr. Jan Shearer from Iowa State University, to conduct the training. The training will be conducted at the County Extension Office March 2 and 3, 2010.  Room limited to 20. Please call 903-885-3443. The seminar is free. Meal provided by Andy Wright on March 3, 2010.

 

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