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Living on ‘burrowed time’
Nov 25, 2009
WHILE some see them as cuddly creatures, they’re “public enemy number one” for gardeners and a major annoyance for sports clubs.
But now moles are also causing a headache for one Teesdale parish council responsible for keeping a large village green tidy.
This year, Evenwood’s parish council called in a mole catcher when they were faced with an invasion of the pesky pests. But the furry creatures have again invaded the village green this autumn. Dozens of molehills have also been reported on the Welfare Ground and Shirley Terrace, as well as other areas of Evenwood. Councillors feared the problem had got out of hand and were forced to seek advice from Durham County Council.
However, the village’s moles could now be living on “burrowed” time, thanks to a plan hatched by the county council.
And this time the method is humane, although a few noses could be put out of joint by the proposal to mothballs – a smell disliked by the animals.
Parish chairwoman Barbara Nicholson said: “We managed to get rid of the moles before, but they’ve come back with a vengeance.”
Cllr Nicholson said Durham County Council has advised the parish council not to use gas or traps on the village green because of health and safety concerns.
She added: “They area’s too big and we have to be careful about hurting pets or children.
“But what the council did suggest was using mothballs because apparently moles don’t like the smell.”
But councillors said they were unsure on how to implement the plan on a mass scale. “We can’t go around all the holes and put mothballs in them,” explained Cllr Mary Prince.
Cllr English added: “It needs somebody who can read them. Perhaps we are looking after the grass too well and creating a good habitat for the worms, which they eat.
“I’m a naturalist, but I don’t like the village green in the state it’s in. Something needs to be done about it.”
He added that boggy parts of the village green appeared to be mole-free.
Councillors voted to seek advice from ADAS, an independent environment consultancy company.
The council decided to mothball Durham County Council’s advice until they hear back from ADAS.