Mounds of dirt piling up in the yard?
by Rick Hirsch
about unwanted mounds of dirt and unsightly round tunnels in your lawn? You are not alone! I have been receiving numerous calls about gophers and moles this fall. Nither critter is fun to deal with and both take patience and persistence if you are going to have success in controlling them.

Pocket gophers are burrowing rodents which live almost entirely underground. Gophers are well adapted to their underground existence, with stout forelegs and strong curved claws for digging. They have prominent, yellow incisor teeth and large, fur-lined external cheek pouches in which food is carried. Pocket gophers have poor eyesight, but their senses are acute. Their tails are sensitive and are used as feelers when the animals travel backward in their burrows. Pocket gophers are rarely seen because they spend most of their lives in underground tunnel systems. Their presence in an area is indicated by the characteristic mounds they create. Pocket gophers should not be confused with moles, which are insectivorous and sometimes construct tunnels and mounds resembling those made by pocket gophers.

There are several species of moles in the United States, but the only one found in Texas is the eastern mole. They are small, burrowing mammals that feed on insects. Moles have furless, pointed snouts, small eyes concealed in the fur, and no external ears. They have broadened, shovel-like front feet, webbed to the base of the claws, that enable them to dig effectively for insects. Moles have a keen sense of smell and touch but are almost blind. They are most active on damp, cloudy days in the spring and fall.

Moles live in seclusion of underground burrow, coming to the surface only rarely, and then often by accident. Because of its secluded life underground, the mole has only a few natural enemies. Coyotes, dogs, badgers and skunks dig out a few of them, and occasionally a cat, hawk or owl surprises on above ground. Probably the greatest threat to moles is the flooding of lowlands during rainy seasons.

Gopher control operations should be conducted during the spring and fall when pocket gophers are most active near the surface. Their activity is usually indicated by the presence of fresh mounds of dirt. Control operations in the fall interfere the least with growing crops. Methods of control include mechanical and chemical means.

In small areas such as yards or gardens, or where there are only a few pocket gophers, trapping is usually satisfactory. Special traps have been designed to capture gophers. Several different types are available at hardware or farm and ranch supply stores. Success depends upon the proper use of traps.

Effective chemical control materials for gopher are strychninetreated grain and zinc phosphide pellets. Toxic baits can be administered by the hand probe method or with a burrow builder. These methods are most efficient for large or heavily infested areas where trapping is not practical. Because the toxic grain is placed underground, it is relatively safe when used around other wildlife, pets and livestock. However, you should always carefully read and follow pesticide label instructions. Some of these products are classified as "restricted use" and require a certified pesticide applicator's license.

When it comes to controlling moles, the options narrow down to trapping and some of the newer toxicants that are commercially available.

Trapping can be a satisfactory method of control when the habits and instincts of the mole are understood. A mole becomes suspicious when its sensitive nose encounters anything foreign in its runway. Therefore, it will back up and burrow around or under an ordinary trap set in its tunnel. It is not suspicious of dirt blocking the runway since its burrow frequently is closed by the impact of farm machinery, man and large animals. The mole pushes its way into a dirt blockage, reopens it, and continues on its way.

There are special mole traps designed to take advantage of this 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.

There are some caster-based repellents that have effects on moles and seen to give relief in small areas. Happy hunting!

ATTENTION AG

PRODUCERS:

Did you suffer feed or livestock losses because of natural disasters in recent years? If so, you may be eligible to receive benefits through two new disaster programs being offered by the US Department of Agriculture. Sign-up is underway.

USDA's Livestock Compensation Program compensates producers for feed losses between January 1, 2005, and February 28, 2007. Also, producers who suffered losses during blizzards in 2006 that continued into 2007 may be eligible.

The Livestock Indemnity Program compensates producers for livestock losses during the same periods. Only producers in primary or contiguous secretarial disaster counties are eligible.

Sign up for USDA's new livestock disaster programs by visiting your local USDA Farm Service Agency Service Center.

Learn more at www.FSA.USDA.gov or call the Henderson County Farm Service Agency at 903-675- 3259 Ext. 2 to schedule an appointment.

IMPORTANT DATES:

Major Show Swine Validation November 27th.

(Rick Hirsch is the Henderson County Extension Agent - Agriculture for Texas Cooperative Extension. Visit our web page at http://henderson-co.tamu.edu)