Something is excavating my asparagus beds! - Page 2

clkeiper · April 6, 2016

Moles are a tunneling creature and can get quite sizable for a rodent? of this nature. I have killed a couple of really big ones. 6"x2" at least..way larger than I thought they got. and they are voracious... I have a huge system of them throughout the yard and garden where we don't traverse regularly. it is like walking on cotton. they eat grubs and worms and such, they are omnivores. Voles eat bulbs and roots etc.. they are mostly herbivores.

I didn't see the pictures... so, I was guessing, but now I see a link that I didn't notice before so, I will say now.. not moles, maybe something just looking for anything to consume.

Put up a game camera if you have access to one.

guruofgardens · April 6, 2016

Voles or meadow mice. They're rampant here in the Front Range. I've lost all my root crops last year and have now discovered my huge hostas have no roots, as well as no tulips in one garden.

Don't know how to get rid of them so if anyone has a for-sure way to kill them besides mouse traps, many of us need to know! We've tried bait that looks like alfalfa pellets - not even touched. Juicy Fruit gum was another suggestion and attempt. I'll have lots of dead debris to clean up after these pests plus - some nursery will get a bit richer from my purchases.

Good luck!

clkeiper · April 6, 2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by guruofgardens

Voles or meadow mice. They're rampant here in the Front Range. I've lost all my root crops last year and have now discovered my huge hostas have no roots, as well as no tulips in one garden.

Don't know how to get rid of them so if anyone has a for-sure way to kill them besides mouse traps, many of us need to know! We've tried bait that looks like alfalfa pellets - not even touched. Juicy Fruit gum was another suggestion and attempt. I'll have lots of dead debris to clean up after these pests plus - some nursery will get a bit richer from my purchases.

Good luck!

cats, fox, coyotes, hawks etc. baits and traps are virtually worthless as far as i can tell.

Chosemerveille · April 8, 2016

Thanks again for all of the responses!

I haven't noticed any scat on the ground near the beds or in the beds. I was thinking voles perhaps.

All of the beds have a few layers of hardware cloth at the bottom to discourage someone digging under and then up. I also have hardware cloth at the base of the fences sunk about 18" down, with a stone base. When we first purchased the house I went to war against a groundhog who lives beneath a neighbor's shed right behind our property. So it most likely has to be something that can come over or squeeze through the small spaces.

I should be putting hardware cloth on top the beds later today.

April 6, 2016	#16
clkeiper Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: ohio Posts: 4,350	Moles are a tunneling creature and can get quite sizable for a rodent? of this nature. I have killed a couple of really big ones. 6"x2" at least..way larger than I thought they got. and they are voracious... I have a huge system of them throughout the yard and garden where we don't traverse regularly. it is like walking on cotton. they eat grubs and worms and such, they are omnivores. Voles eat bulbs and roots etc.. they are mostly herbivores. I didn't see the pictures... so, I was guessing, but now I see a link that I didn't notice before so, I will say now.. not moles, maybe something just looking for anything to consume. Put up a game camera if you have access to one. __________________ carolyn k Last edited by clkeiper; April 6, 2016 at 08:34 AM.

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April 6, 2016	#17
guruofgardens Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2008 Location: zone 5 Colorado Posts: 942	Voles or meadow mice. They're rampant here in the Front Range. I've lost all my root crops last year and have now discovered my huge hostas have no roots, as well as no tulips in one garden. Don't know how to get rid of them so if anyone has a for-sure way to kill them besides mouse traps, many of us need to know! We've tried bait that looks like alfalfa pellets - not even touched. Juicy Fruit gum was another suggestion and attempt. I'll have lots of dead debris to clean up after these pests plus - some nursery will get a bit richer from my purchases. Good luck!

April 8, 2016	#19
Chosemerveille Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: West Orange, NJ Zone 6a/b Posts: 37	Thanks again for all of the responses! I haven't noticed any scat on the ground near the beds or in the beds. I was thinking voles perhaps. All of the beds have a few layers of hardware cloth at the bottom to discourage someone digging under and then up. I also have hardware cloth at the base of the fences sunk about 18" down, with a stone base. When we first purchased the house I went to war against a groundhog who lives beneath a neighbor's shed right behind our property. So it most likely has to be something that can come over or squeeze through the small spaces. I should be putting hardware cloth on top the beds later today.