Leaflet 247
1943
Animal Pests of Your Victory Garden
by
G. C. ODERKIRK
U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service
and Division of Entomology, Purdue University Agricultural Extension Service
Cooperating
The following information deals with
the control of certain species of animals
that may injure plantings in Victory
gardens. The control methods described
are selected from various leaflets or bulletins and condensed in the following
pages as a convenience to gardeners. If
additional information is needed, publications may be obtained from the office
of your County Agricultural Extension
Agent.
Moles
Moles burrow about 3 or 4 inches below ground and raise the soil in ridges
in their search for food, which consists
largely of insects and earthworms.
Damage by moles can be eliminated in
the most direct manner by removing the
animals from garden plots and adjoining land.
A very unscientific but nevertheless
effective way to remove moles from gardens is to visit the garden either in the
early morning when moles are quite active or after a rain, particularly a "soaking" rain, when moles are moving rapidly through the soil looking for food.
With a spade or shovel, stealthily approach their runways. You can see
where they are working by the movement of soil. A quick jab into the soil
behind the mole, a flip of the shovel,
and the animal is on top of ground. A
tap with the shovel will spell the end
for the mole. Several moles may be using the same system of runways, so use
your foot to level the runways and occasionally observe them for several days
to see if new workings appear.
Traps are effective, but scarce due to
war conditions. Successful trappers
must match wits with an animal and
this is as true in taking moles as any
other species. Look at the system and
try to set the trap in the main runway
where it will be likely to make a catch.
Level the runway slightly where the
trap will be placed, then set it. If the
trap does not produce results within a
few hours, reset it in another likely main
artery.
A repellent substance applied as a
barrier on all sides of the plot is fairly
effective in keeping moles out of the
garden. Use creosote, naphthalene, ly-
sol, or any similar substance possessing
a strong odor. These soil barriers are
most effective when applied early in the
spring. Make a solution of the repellent
material in a sprinkler can and apply it
by merely walking along with the
sprinkler, allowing a stream to fall on
the ground. Encircle the entire plot. For
quick penetration, apply the material in
a shallow trench made with a hoe. Several barriers, at intervals of 6 to 10 feet
around the plot, increase the effectiveness of the treatment. Creosote and
many other repellents will kill grass and
other plant growth, so avoid such treatment where it will do harm.
Cottontail Rabbits
The cottontail rabbit is the principal
game species in most communities and
many thousands of people enjoy the
sport of hunting them during the late
fall and winter months. Under war conditions restricted supplies of meat will
Purdue University
Department of Agricultural Extension
Lafayette, Indiana