"Mole populations in NW CT are rarely more than 3 or 4 per acre, hardly a serious pest. The culprits are the voles running in the shallow, feeding tunnels." Mark: I won't doubt your knowledge about mole populations in NW CT. I do note, however, that because the soils in my garden areas are enriched with compost, it is more lively with insects and worms and so more attractive to moles. I know they do not breed exponentially, having usually 2 pups per season. The voles use mole tunnels and feed on plants, roots and bulbs and do the most direct damage to plants, but the exposed roots and bulbs do dry out f rom the tunneling. We also have an infestation of the Asian/Alabama jumping worms (6+ per square foot)which I think provides more than ample food, easy tunneling, and so a healthy mole population. Our 2 acres are thoroughly tunneled which for me does not warrant poisons--plus I agree poison causes food-chain damage--but I would love to find a way to limit the cumulative damage in the gardens. So, focusing on voles, any suggestions aside from cats? (4 and counting from neighbors). Carol NW CT USA In a message dated 12/29/2011 8:50:48 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, markmazerandfm13@earthlink.net writes: > I don't care about mole hills or tunnels in our lawn (a grand name for our > diverse turf) but the time, energy and money involved in replacing plants > and bulbs is considerable. Mole populations in NW CT are rarely more than 3 or 4 per acre, hardly a serious pest. The culprits are the voles running in the shallow, feeding tunnels. Mark Mazer Hertford, North Carolina USA but formerly of Litchfield Count _______________________________________________ pbs mailing list pbs@lists.ibiblio.org http://pacificbulbsociety.org/list.php http://pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/