The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Growing => Gardens => Topic started by: squeasy on February 26, 2012, 06:25:16 pm

Title: Unknown Holes!
Post by: squeasy on February 26, 2012, 06:25:16 pm
Hello

I wonder if you can help.... Whilst gardening today we found about twenty holes, some in the lawn, some in the beds of the garden.  They are about 7cm in diameter and have no obvious scurrying near them, just round holes.  We thought it may be a mole as there is a mole in the orchard, but they are not the same.  I am thinking it could be voles?  or rats?  I would appreciate any ideas.
Title: Re: Unknown Holes!
Post by: deepinthewoods on February 26, 2012, 06:25:54 pm
rats.
Title: Re: Unknown Holes!
Post by: Sylvia on February 26, 2012, 07:05:13 pm
I'd agree. Rats!
Title: Re: Unknown Holes!
Post by: squeasy on February 26, 2012, 08:21:10 pm
Thank you for the answers (I think)- :) I hoped you were going to say something other than rats!  Need to find myself a good local catcher now.
Title: Re: Unknown Holes!
Post by: deepinthewoods on February 26, 2012, 08:30:50 pm
get a pair of feisty cats!!
Title: Re: Unknown Holes!
Post by: squeasy on February 26, 2012, 08:38:17 pm
get a pair of feisty cats!!

That is the really strange thing.  We have two cats who are amazing mouse, bird, rabbit, mole catchers etc so hence our surprise at the holes.  They bring us at least 1-2 'presents' a day and spend a lot of time in the garden, so we thought they would keep on top of things like that!
Title: Re: Unknown Holes!
Post by: deepinthewoods on February 26, 2012, 08:42:03 pm
my cats only get allowed in the house in the morning and get kicked out at dusk, maybe try that?
Title: Re: Unknown Holes!
Post by: Fleecewife on February 26, 2012, 10:33:06 pm
Apart from the size, they sound like bank vole holes - but they are only about 3.5 to 4 cm in diameter.  Rat holes usually have a smooth appearance to the ground where their tails have dragged...........
Title: Re: Unknown Holes!
Post by: squeasy on February 26, 2012, 10:45:45 pm
Apart from the size, they sound like bank vole holes - but they are only about 3.5 to 4 cm in diameter.  Rat holes usually have a smooth appearance to the ground where their tails have dragged...........

Thank you I will go and look more closely in the morning and measure them with a ruler.  My size estimates are normally pretty bad.  I will look for other evidence too.

Title: Re: Unknown Holes!
Post by: squeasy on February 26, 2012, 10:46:51 pm
my cats only get allowed in the house in the morning and get kicked out at dusk, maybe try that?

They are very human cats and do go to bed at 11pm and wake up at 6am so maybe should persuade them to have a few nights out!