How do you deal with a mole mouse: photo, description, and how to fight it? - briefly
A mole mouse is a small, blind, pink‑skinned rodent with tiny eyes and a cylindrical body; a clear photograph shows its distinctive shape. Control is achieved by placing snap or live‑catch traps directly in active tunnels and sealing all possible entry points to prevent re‑infestation.
How do you deal with a mole mouse: photo, description, and how to fight it? - in detail
The mole mouse is a small, cylindrical rodent with velvety, dark‑brown fur, a pointed snout, and reduced eyesight. Its front limbs are enlarged for digging, while the hind legs are short and suited for burrowing. Typical length ranges from 8 to 12 cm, and weight does not exceed 40 g. Tracks appear as shallow, parallel tunnels near the soil surface, often accompanied by loose soil piles at entry points.
Habitat preferences include moist, loamy gardens, vegetable patches, and lawns where insects and earthworms are abundant. The animal is nocturnal, emerging after dusk to feed on invertebrates and plant roots. Damage manifests as irregular holes in turf, wilted seedlings, and visible mounds of excavated earth.
Effective control measures consist of three stages: identification, exclusion, and eradication.
- Identification: Confirm presence by locating fresh tunnel openings, fresh soil mounds, and occasional droppings (small, dark pellets). Use a flashlight at night to observe activity near burrow entrances.
- Exclusion: Install a physical barrier around vulnerable beds. Lay a 30‑mm layer of coarse sand or hardware cloth (½‑inch mesh) beneath the soil before planting, then cover with a 5‑cm layer of topsoil. Seal cracks in foundations and remove debris that could serve as shelter.
- Eradication:
- Deploy bait stations containing anticoagulant pellets or zinc phosphide, positioned at tunnel mouths. Follow label instructions for dosage and safety.
- Apply a granular insecticide labeled for subterranean rodents directly into active tunnels; repeat after two weeks to target survivors.
- Use a live‑catch trap (e.g., a snap‑type tunnel trap) placed in a fresh burrow, checking daily and disposing of captured animals according to local regulations.
Monitoring continues for at least six weeks after treatment. Re‑inspect soil regularly for new openings; if they appear, repeat the exclusion barrier and baiting cycle. Maintaining a tidy garden, reducing excess moisture, and encouraging natural predators such as owls and snakes further suppress populations.