Trapping Best Scourge For Moles
Dear Plant Doctor: My neigh
borhood in Southjx>rt is alive with
moles. I heard Irom a lady in Pen
nsylvania that they used limestone
to get rid of them. I have always
heard that you do not put lime on
centipede grass. Another neighbor
has bought traps and used diazinon.
! would appreciate your opinion
on this matter. ? Southport, N.C.
Dear Plant Doctor: Moles are
taking over my yard. What is the
best means to eradicate this pest
from my premises? ? Danville. Va.
Answer: In North Carolina, the
most common and pesky mole is the
eastern mole ( Scalopus aqualicus).
Two moles not considered pests are
the rare star-nosed mole (Condylura
crisiata) and the hairy-tailed mole
(Parascalops breweri). Neither of
these two moles regularly frequents
the coastal plains. The North Caro
lina Wildlife Commission enacted
regulations to protect the rare and
endangered animals. Hence the rea
son for the following red tape: The
best control for the eastern mole is
trapping. However, a depredation
permit must first be obtained from
the N.C. Wildlife Commission or
your local game warden.
Limestone will not control moles.
And yes, too much limestone can be
detrimental to your centipede grass.
"Juicy Fruit" gum will not control
moles.
Poison peanuts will not control
moles. Moles do not eat vegetable
matter. They fed exclusively on
grubs, worms and other soil-inhabit
ing creepy-crawlies. Poison peanuts
will probably kill a number of non
targeted animals in your neighbor
hood.
Insecticide use on your lawn to
kill all grubs will not totally control
moles. An "insect-sterile" lawn is an
invitation to disaster. For example,
some researchers think severe
ground pearl infestation (an insect
THE
PLANT
DOCTOR
C. BRUCE
WILLIAMS
Extension Area
Turf Specialist
problem without a cure) is due to the
eradication of ant predators by in
secticides or other methods. Use in
secticides to control grubs only
when a grub problem is indicated.
For more information, send me a
SASE for "Insect Management in
Turf, " AG447.
The eastern mole is a very soli
tary animal. Most "mole" problems
result from the activity of one or two
animals that are very active although
it may appear otherwise.
The best mole control is a spear
type trap. The first objective is to lo
cate a frequently used runway or
surface tunnel. An easy way to lo
cate a regularly used tunnel is to
cave in a short section of all visible
runways, and then to check each day
to see which runways the mole has
reopened. Repeat the this caving in
and checking for two or three con
secutive days and you can identify
those runways for your trap.
Set your mole trap over a col
lapsed portion of the active runway
you have identified. If you have not
captured the mole in two days re
move the trap and move to a new lo
cation.
Foxes, snakes, birds of prey, cats
and dogs are effective predators of
moles. You can probably encourage
the wildlife and decrease your mole
problem naturally.
A gardening friend of mine prides
himself on his ability to spear moles
Bolivia School Festival Is Friday
"Fall Into Literacy" will be the
theme of Bolivia Elementary
School's Autumn Fest. Fri., Nov. 5,
from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the school.
A variety of game booths will be
offered, each decorated to reflect a
book title, in keeping with the litera
cy theme.
Storybook character, turkey gob
bling and karaoke contests are
planned, along with "Wheel of For
tune" and a hayride. A live disk
jockey will report throughout the
evening over WCCA Radion Station
in Shallotte. Hotdogs and drinks will
also be available.
Proceeds will be used to buy
classroom supplies, said Ruth Gore,
president of the school's PTA, which
is sponsoring the event.
Bolivia School is located on U.S.
17 Business in Bolivia.
Davis Jewelry
PW
and Gifts
Lay-away
now for
Christmas while
everything is
11/2 PRICE!
u 117 Causeway Or., Ocean Isle Beach-579-3800
Mon-Sat. 10-6
Decorative Air Plants &
Coral Reg. $8.99 up
In Golf Plaza, Hwy. 179, Calabash
Open Wed-Sat. 12-8:30 pm, Sun 3-8 pm
ADJACENT TO MINI GOLF COURSE
CI 903 THE BRUNSWICK BEACON
GRAND OPENING^
perils
Porcelain, Vinyl ? Middleton,
Kruger, Wakeen, Etc.
! ll)%~disc7>unt j
imith thie rrtiinnn
L with this coupon
\ Hwy. 1 79 ? Seaside ? 579-91 99 L
Lay-away now for Christmas!^
Lay-away a House for Christmas !
at
Cards Or Gifts
919-579-8984
Department 56
Lighted Houses in
the Dickens Village,
New England ana
the North Pole.
Snowbabies ? Dreamsickles ?iffetUtf Village
Possible Dream Santas
Beach Scene Boxed Christmas Cards,
Outdoor Flags and many other delightful
gifts for friends and family.
Open daily Mon.-Sat. 10-5:30
Hwy. 904 between Ocean Isle and Sunset porsi
(next to Food Lion) ? Seaside EZ3
CI 98? THE BRUNSWICK Bf Ar/VJ
with a pocket knife. He tells me the
best time of day for the hunt is just
prior to sunrise.
Stealth and quiet are essential.
Watch for the earth to move while
the tunnel is being formed and then
jab away.
If this is ALL too gruesome for
you, just realize that moles are crit
ters in nature just like rabbits, squir
rels, and birds. A mole tunnel does
have some positive benefits ? it aeri
fies your lawn.
For more information on control
ling moles in your lawn, send a
SASE to me for "Mole Control".
Send your gardening questions or
comments to The Plant Doctor. P.O.
Box 109. Bolivia. N.C. 2X422.
Volunteers Sought
To Help At Shelter
Volunteers are needed at Hope
Harbor Home to transport women
and children to classes and counsel
ing groups on Wednesdays, Thurs
day and Fridays, according to Cathy
Swaim, executive director.
They are also needed to work
with children on Wednesday morn
ings while their mothers attend par
enting classes.
To volunteer or get more informa
tion, call Swaim at 754-5726.
STAFF PHOTO BY SUSAN USHER
Civitans Install Officers
The South Brunswick Isles Civitan Club installed new officers at its Oct. 6 meeting. Shown above are
(front, from left) Helen Inman, chaplain , and Hazel Caison, secretary; and rear, Sarah Tripp, treasur
er; Evan Gore, president; and Tommy Phillips, president-elect. Not pictured is assistant secretary Carol
Smith.
m
FOOD LION
Cap's Pride
Apple Juice
Boneless Chuck Roast
USDA Choice Extra Lean
Stew Beef &
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Roast
$179
X. Lb.
Country Pride
Chicken Breast
Filets &
Tenders
$e%99
Lb.
48 Oz. Regularly 99 1
Kellogg's
Apple Jacks
$199
1
15 Oz* | f a n _ _
Box Regularly $3.34
Cheer Ultra
Detergent
$Ef 99
98 Oz. 42 Load/
106 Oz. W/ Bleach
S3 Load
5"
1 Regularly
7.2 Oz. - Combination
& Hamburger
Mr. P s Pizza
59
Grade A Jumbo Pack
Chicken
Thighs &
69
Lb.
Tart, Tangy -t f\ /$? |
Limes 10/ 1
Fresh Pickling /\ Q C
Cucumbers * u
"Your Choice"
Fresh Collar dv
Kale, Turnip
Or Mustard
Greens
49
Lb.
Regular & Lower Salt
Armour
Bacon
99
79
<r
Lb.
We Reserve The Right To Limit Quantities.
DD(
Prices in this ad good Wednesday, November 3 thru Tuesday,
November 9. 1993.
Western
Anjou
Pears
2 Liter - Diet Pepsi, Mtn. Dew,
Diet Mtn. Dew, Caffeine Free
Pepsi, Caffeine Free Diet Pepsi,
Crystal Pepsi, Diet Crystal Pepsi
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12 Pack/ 12 Oz. Cans- Pepsi.
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3.49
Ring
Look
On
Up
? 1071
50*
Off
Any Package
Of Holland
Flower Bulbs
Good thru
Nov. 9th.
Produce Dept.