Manon Posted December 19, 2013 Share Posted December 19, 2013 I posted this under gardening but didn't get any useful replies so I thought I'd try here. These wretched creatures are destroying my garden which I love and they have started eating the roots of my young fruit trees . Does anyone know how to get rid of them ? Mole traps don't work and rat poison doesn't seem to either - I'm at my wit's end ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericd Posted December 20, 2013 Share Posted December 20, 2013 I thought the replies you got in the other category were perfectly adequate. ...... Get a cat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Luck Posted December 26, 2013 Share Posted December 26, 2013 The only way is to go for a "scorched earth" approach, the nuclear option and destroy everything in the garden by a combination of highly toxic poisoning and constant ploughing. This should result in a temporary removal of said species from your garden.They are of course a great primary food source for a number of species.Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nomoss Posted December 28, 2013 Share Posted December 28, 2013 Instead of trying to poison the local fauna, why don't you concrete over your garden or, even better, move to a town, where you might be happier.[:D] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
basquesteve Posted December 29, 2013 Share Posted December 29, 2013 Like Chris I agree they are difficult to move on. I have had temporary relief when they dig up the flower borders I pour small amounts of Ammonia into the runs its not my intention to kill them but deter the use of the run Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tancrède Posted December 29, 2013 Share Posted December 29, 2013 [quote user="Manon"]These wretched creatures are destroying my garden which I love and they have started eating the roots of my young fruit trees . [/quote]Yes, I had a great deal of trouble with them in my orchard a few years ago. Not only interference with the juvenile trees, but they are (as you will know) such indefatigable diggers that they filled the interior of my cabane so deep with spoil that I couldn't even manage to open the door to shovel it out.Merely out of experimental interest I started pissing regularly in their trial diggings. I had previously been successful in detering a very persistent badger from interfering with my beehives, with exactly the same technique - which had been recommended by another bee-keeper. They very rapidly ceased to be a nuisance, and from that day to this I have had no further trouble.Of course the positive result may have been entirely coincidental. But it is worth trying. It is ozone-friendly, biodegradable, cheap, and does not require going to the Mairie.I was was given to understand that the best 'outcomes' are produced by gentlemen rather than ladies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christine Animal Posted December 30, 2013 Share Posted December 30, 2013 That may well be why they are not in French gardens, but the British ones ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ventodue Posted January 3, 2014 Share Posted January 3, 2014 [quote user="Gengulphus"]Merely out of experimental interest, I started pissing regularly in their trial diggings. <snip> They very rapidly ceased to be a nuisance, and from that day to this I have had no further trouble[/quote]You're absolutely right and thanks for reminding me about it, Gengulphus [:D] - I had quite forgotten. It's not just an Old Wives' Tale, it can work, and here's why ..Voles ('cos that's what we're talking about here) mark their runs with urine, both so they know where they are and to tell other voles that they're around. Peeing down their holes upsets this particular strategy and can oblige them to go elsewhere.Btw, while looking into this, I found a great piece of research by some Finnish researchers. They discovered that these scent runs are visible under ultra-violet light and that Common Kestrels, Falco tinnunculus, who can see ultra-violet light (they're not the only birds who can do this), are able to detect the runs and use them for hunting. How's about that!Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ventodue Posted January 3, 2014 Share Posted January 3, 2014 P.s Don't forget that Water Voles, Le Campagnol amphibie Arvicola sapidus is protected these days in France (since 2012).Go (for example): http://www.sfepm.org/CampagnolAmphibieprotection.htmCraig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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