Have you ever gone out to work in your garden and found your prized produce plagued by bites too large to be from any insect? Do you have so many holes in your yard you could use it as a golf course? Have innumerable little burrowing animals chiseled away at the trees in your orchard? If any of these questions hit a little too close to home, then you might have a problem with vertebrate burrowing animals. These pests can leave dirt mounds and holes in your yard and wreak havoc on vegetation. Their destructive habits can leave you wondering how to get rid of moles or squirrels or gophers—and how to keep these animals out of your garden. But before you start blasting holes in your yard, Caddyshack-style, make sure you know what kind of critter you’re dealing with.
Vole Identification
Often mistaken for mice, voles are small rodents with smaller ears and shorter tails than their doppelgangers. They have dark brown fur and can grow to 7 inches long. The three distinct species of vole are the prairie vole, the meadow vole and the pine vole. Each lives in the range that you would expect: Prairie vole habitats cover the Great Plains; meadow voles range in most eastern states and the Midwest; and pine voles live primarily in the forests of western states.
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Pocket Gopher Identification
Pocket gophers live in nearly every state west of the Mississippi River and resemble a cross between a rat and a mole. Their fur color can range from light brown to nearly black, and they sport short tails and large, wide front feet for digging tunnels and dirt mounds. The pocket gopher gets its name from the large cheek pouches it keeps tucked behind its sharp, chisel-like front teeth. These front teeth always protrude from its mouth and grow quickly, so the gopher needs constantly chew to keep its teeth at a manageable size. …………
Ground Squirrel Identification
The term “ground squirrel” refers to no specific animal; it is an umbrella term for many different kinds of rodents, including chipmunks and marmots. The three most common in the United States are the eastern chipmunk, the thirteen-lined ground squirrel and Franklin’s ground squirrel. Ground squirrels live in nearly every region in the United States and can grow up to 14 inches long, depending on the species. Smaller varieties resemble common tree squirrels but have shorter tails, smaller ears and distinct coloration, again depending on species. ………….
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How to Get Rid of Burrowing Animals
Although people use chemical solutions to get rid of burrowing animals, many gardeners and home owners have learned how to get rid of moles and other animals naturally. With a little planning and attention, methods of natural mole control—such as habitat modification and barriers—can effectively keep animals out of your garden and keep their mounds of dirt and holes out of your yard.
Habitat modification:
Make sure your space is clear of food sources and ground cover, such as leaves and grass clippings, to greatly reduce the likelihood of a vole infestation. Cover the base of young trees and plants with a partially buried plastic or wire collar to protect them from girdling animals.
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More Interesting Article:
- Protect Your Garden From Rabbits And Pests Humanely
- Eight Tips To Fighting Insects And Other Garden’s Invaders
Read the full article here: Click Here
Article source: Mother Earth News
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