Stumbling over molehills

The invasion started early last year, leaving the terrain pock-marked with trenching efforts and the construction of danger avoiding tunnels. The enemy had infiltrated the countryside with the goal of gaining a foothold in this new area where the resources would benefit their growing population. Unfortunately, the battleground is my yard, and the incursion has been carried out by several growing families of moles. Judging by some other yards in the area, I'm not alone. The culprit is usually the common Eastern mole. These little guys have broad front feet with the palms turned outward to facilitate their aggressive digging. Their body has also evolved for the tunneling life with tiny eyes and no external ears to reduce the collection of dirt. In fact, those eyes and flush ear orifices are covered in a thin layer of skin to help protect them. The Eastern moles are also one of the softest animals I've ever touched. The slick, silver gray coat feels like soft velvet in the hand. The Eastern mole also has a cousin that is just a little less frequently encountered around manicured landscape; the hairy-tailed mole. As you may guess, the primary noticeable difference is one has a hairy tail and the other's is mostly hairless. Both of the moles are common, and both share an appetite for worms, grubs, and insects. The hairy-tailed moles prefer to live in sandy loam soils with good vegetative cover and avoid heavy, wet soils. The Eastern variety prefers moist, sandy loam soil and seems especially fond of lawns, golf courses, gardens, flowerbeds, and fields. Both moles have a gestation period of about six weeks and the young will live in a nest inside the tunnel system until they reach maturity at about one month of age. After that, they're off digging and eating. The Eastern mole is active during the day and spends the bulk of its life underground. The hairy-tailed mole will travel above ground at night, much to the delight of prowling cats and other nighttime predators. Why did they pick my yard after years of ignoring it? In all likelihood, there are two explanations. Populations in the surrounding countryside have likely grown, pushing them to explore new territories. The other reason is that they found my yard to have ideal digging habitat and plentiful food sources. The question is, how do I best deal with these little excavators? There is good news! The moles' presence means that the soil is healthy, as these animals feed on earthworms and pest insect larvae found in those good soil conditions. One of their favorites are grubs that destroy grass roots, and beetles that feed on decorative plants. They can effectively eliminate ants, snails, and termites. The moles' digging also loosens soil and form channels for air and water to move through the soil while mixing nutrients; all of this stimulating plant growth. Still, their landscaping is a little too much. The presence of moles could also indicate that there's a grub problem. The trick to living in harmony with moles is controlling their populations. There are deterrents that you can use to keep moles out of your yard. A good start is by treating the yard with grub control products available at many farm and garden stores. This will help, but it will take a little more than this alone since the moles will divert to eating worms and insects. Moles are sound-sensitive and like quiet neighbors. Windchimes placed around the yard will work but the real deterrent is playing a radio (safely sealed in a water-repellant plastic bag). If you stream disco, you're also likely to lose any adolescents living in the area. There are also purpose-built sonic and ultrasonic devices available. Certain plants also help deter them from gardens. They seem to dislike daffodils and marigolds, as well as plants in the allium family, like onions, garlic, and chives. A natural repellent that's often touted is a mixture of dish soap, water and castor oil. This home remedy calls for mixing three parts of castor oil and one-part dish soap. Put four tablespoons of the concoction in a gallon of water and you have a homemade mole repellent. Either spray it or pour it at mole tunnel entrances. If you have a big mole colony, you may want to spray the whole yard. Like many home remedies, I've heard of mixed results on the castor creation. There are also commercial sprays available. Finally, there are poisons and traps. If you use poisons, read and follow directions carefully. You don't want to risk the health of pets or non-target wildlife. Traps come in two styles, kill and no kill. Using a no kill trap takes more time and you must release the moles in a rural setting where you have permission to do so. Kill traps are easier to use but you will need to dispose of the dead critters. A simple burial returns them to the earth where they can help continue their work of enriching the soil. There are also licensed pest control businesses that can help you remedy mole problems. "Men do not stumble over mountains, but over molehills." — Confucius Along the way On March 1, the first Ohio Woodland, Water & Wildlife Conference will be held in Mansfield. Sponsored by The Ohio State University College of Food, Agriculture, and Environmental Sciences and their School of Environment and Natural Resources, the information looks to be very intriguing for a wide range of interested persons. The agenda of the day includes opportunities to attend presentations concerning: • Woodland Owners, Maple Syrup and The New Maple Toolbox • Conservation of Birds Across the Full Annual Cycle and the Importance of Understanding the Effects of Urban and Suburban Landscapes • Urban Coyote Impacts on Wildlife • Wetland Design and Wetland Management Techniques that Matter • Ohio Snakes — Conservation and Management • Reservoir Ranching American Paddlefish: How Conservation and Food Production Can Work Together • Get to Know the New Ohio Forest Pest Guide • An Introduction to the Families of Ohio's Aquatic Plants and Their Management • Buckeyes and Their Place in Ohio Woodlands • Wetlands for Water Quality: An Update on ODNR's H2Ohio Program • Beneficial Insect Biodiversity: What is it and why it Matters • Can You Spot the Spot? A Spotted Lanternfly Ohio Update • Developing Small Woodland Management Service Providers • Dealing with Pests of Perennial Plants • Mosses As a Potential Indicator for Wetland Quality This new conference shows an impressive diversity that should offer a broad appeal to many interested in wildlife and resource management. It will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Mid-Ohio Conference Center 890 West Fourth Street Mansfield, OH 44906. Early registration is open now. The cost is $65 per person before Feb. 10, and $85 through Feb. 17, the last day to register. Includes continental breakfast, lunch, breaks and a resource notebook. To register or to learn more about the event, visit https://woodlandstewards.osu.edu/events/2023-ohio-woodland-water-and-wildlife-conference. You can also call 614-688-3421 or email ohiowoods@osu.edu. Step outside • Now until Tuesday: Muzzleloader Deer Season. • Thursday: Trap and Skeet, open to the public. 4 p.m. UCOA, 6943 Marion Township 243, Findlay. • Jan. 20: 63rd Ohio Wildlife Management Conference, Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center (2201 Fred Taylor Drive, Columbus). Registration is $35 for professionals and $20 for students. The registration cost includes you annual OWMA membership and lunch at the conference venue. To register: https://ohiowildlife.org/services-2/ • Feb. 5: Last Day of deer archery season. • Feb. 7: Exploring Pressure Canning Venison. Covers the basics of pressure canning venison, including key ingredients, equipment, and techniques. Wildlife District 2 Headquarters, 952 Lima Avenue, Findlay. 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The class is free, but registration is required, and spaces are limited. All equipment will be provided. For information: Jaron Beck at 419-429-8324, jaron.beck@dnr.oh.gov. Registration: https://apps.ohiodnr.gov/wildlife/educationregistration/ • Feb. 21: Winter Trap Shootout. Feb. 21, 28, March 7, 14, 21, 28. Shooting will be from the 20-yard line and shooters may re-enter as many times as they like. $10 per relay. This includes Lewis class and draw. Traps open at 5 p.m. UCOA, 6943 Marion Township 243, Findlay. • March 1: Ohio's First Woodland, Water, and Wildlife Conference, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Mid-Ohio Conference Center, 890 West Fourth Street, Mansfield. Visit https://woodlandstewards.osu.edu/events/2023-ohio-woodland-water-and-wildlife-conference or call 614-688-3421. Email ohiowoods@osu.edu • March 24: 17th Ohio Botanical Symposium, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Presentation includes: New plant identification tools for Ohio and adjacent states; The importance of plants in Midwestern tribes' culture; An in-depth look at Ohio's liverworts; Ohio's paleobotany; Creating and maintaining native plant gardens; The conservation of rare plants at the Morgan Swamp Nature Preserve; and finally; and a Discussion about Ohio's best rare plant finds. Register by visiting the Western Reserve Land Conservancy: www.wrlandconservancy.org/event/botanical-symposium-registration/ • Hunter and Trapper Education Class information and registration is found online at www.wildohio.gov or call 1-800-WILDLIFE. Locally, contact 419-424-5000. Abrams is a retired wildlife officer supervisor for the state Division of Wildlife in Findlay. He can be reached at P.O. Box 413, Mount Blanchard, OH 45867-0413 or via email at jimsfieldnotes@aol.com