The Exterminator
Wave 967
Thursday
The 22nd of July, 2010 at 03:37 PM
Being a new homeowner, you acquire new titles such as EXTERMINATOR. From ants to deer, we have had it all it all in our yard. The current challenges are the following:
- Moles
- The Problem: We had mole damage to the yard last year. I fixed all those spots. However, a couple days ago I found several holes and tunnels in our front yard.
- Previous Attempts: Kill traps in the backyard, I've never been successful with these. Applied Grub Killer to the backyard and front yard.
- Current Plan: Starve them some more. Moles eat grubs and insects in the yard. I've used an insect killer and will apply a grub killer tomorrow. Hopefully this type of modern warfare takes care of my mole issue.
- Ants
- The Problem: We have this nice garden window in our kitchen. Plants in it are out of the way and receive plenty of sunlight. The last month we have had ants getting out from underneath the window molding and crawling around the kitchen counter. Mind you this not a severe infestation, but 1-2 ants on the kitchen counter is not uncommon.
- Previous Attempts: I sealed under the window and around the counter top on 2-3 occasions. Ants were still finding a way to get in.
- Current Plan: Create a baricade. Yesterday I took off the molding around the window. Sure enough there were large gaps around the window that were not insulated. I insulated them with expansive foam and plan on caulking them later tonight. I will sand down the walls, paint, and replace the molding as it was. Since insulating the window, I have not seen any ants. Hopefully we are in the clear.
- Woodchuck/Groundhog
- The Problem: Not until researching this animal did I realize these were the same animals. What kind of veterinarian am I? Regardless, on several occasions there was been sightings of a woodchuck in the backyard. On 2 separate occasions I saw him hide under my magnificent shed. This is a problem. Woodchucks can be extremely aggressive towards other animals (ie Kellie's dogs).
- Previous Attempts: I called the local wildlife management people and got some numbers on assesment/removal. Looks like I will be doing it myself.
- Current Plan: Walk the perimeter of the fence and close any openings where the wood chuck could get in. Borrow a live trap from an associate at work. Only area of uncertainity is where to relocate. Hmmm.
And that folks wraps up my current experiences as a self-proclaimed exterminator.
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Comments
John
August 4th, 09:37:32 AM
Update: I believe all the grubs/ants and other types of food sources are gone now but the moles remain. We will try a product called Mole Max. It is organic and has several different types of ingredients that give an offending odor to Moles. Here goes nothing....
Alex
August 4th, 06:19:38 PM
How do moles and voles differ? I think we always had voles at our house — they’d tunnel under the snow through the grass, and in the spring there’d be these weird tracks. I thought moles pretty much dug everything up. Hmm.
John
August 5th, 02:43:09 PM
Voles are smaller. Moles will burrow under the grass looking for grubs and other invertebrates. You will find tunnels with dirt mounds at the end. Voles stay on top of the grass and create tunnels within the grass. If you cut the lawn short enough you can find evidence of damage near the soil line for voles. Hope this helps Alex.
Update to pest control: Only 2 mole dirt piles in the yard this morning. *Crosses fingers*
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