Some neighborhood walkers stopped by yesterday as I was working on digging a hole in my yard. "What 'cha doing?" "Trapping moles!" The gentlemen then launched on a familiar theme of trying everything under the sun to kill them, including poison baits, and some home remedies. I told him that I've trapped 7 this year, and he raised his eyebrows and exclaimed he had tried traps but hadn't gotten any, but he has runs all over his yard. (Maybe that's where some of my repopulation is coming from). I tried encouraging him, by stating that all you have to do is find an active run. "Oh, it's no use; I've got lots of those. But, I can't get them." I felt like he didn't understand what I meant by an active run, but he and his wife walked off before I could explain what I meant.
July 2007 Archives
Two days after the last catch, these popped up in the lawn in a different part of the yard. 
So, I was thinking I was getting the upper hand after getting #7, but since I previously hadn't trapped any for over a year, there are probably several more. Extension publications say that 3 to 5 moles per acre is considered a high population, but other articles I have read have said that populations after the yearly litter is produced can go up to 16 per acre under ideal circumstances.
I think there must be at least 3 different mole families in different parts of my .9 acre lot. Activity has disappeared in 2 of the 3 areas, but these molehills indicate a deeper network of runs in the vicinity. These will be harder to locate, but it will be worth the effort, because these will be well-traveled runs where traps can be successfully set.
This summer I've noticed, as have others, many Bradford, or ornamental, pears with leaves that look like fall coloration. Usually these trees are older, probably in the 7+ year old range. Often these trees are also a little thin in the crown. I've looked at a few of these where I had access. Several of them had obvious girdling roots, where exposed roots were wrapping around the trunk, and the trunk was growing over the/around the trunk. This would certainly help explain the symptoms. Girdling roots cut off the flow of essential nutrients to the root system, and in severe cases, cause decay and rot in the affected portion of the trunk.
This may not explain every burgundy ornamental pear. The severe drought of the past 2 years, along with excessive rainfall this spring and summer resulting in saturated soils, could have resulted in injured roots becoming infected with root rot disease. If you have pears like this, check at the base for any injuries (mower, trimmer, etc) or roots curling around the trunk. That could be the cause.
Finally, after several weeks of waiting for the deeper mole runs to reappear, the soil has dried out enough for mole activity to "resurface". There are certain parts of my lot where deeper runs regularly appear. Earlier this week, one of those big ridges showed up, so I set the harpoon trap. I had to pull away about 3 inches of soil before getting to tunnel. Nothing happened after a couple of days, and I realized the mole went around the trap. Must of run into one of the legs. So, I reset, and in 12 hours had mole #7 for 2007.
The following is a notice from Dr. Michael Merchant, Extension Entomologist in Dallas, regarding the impact all this recent rain will have on the mosquite population. Take heed to emptying containers, gutters, and other vessels that hold water, and wear repellants when outside in the evening.
In case you haven't noticed, 2007 has been a good year for mosquitoes. First, heavy rains brought out large numbers of floodwater mosquitoes (e.g., Aedes vexans and Psorophora species). More recently we are seeing more container-breeding mosquitoes, such as Aedes albopictus (the Asian tiger mosquito) and the salt marsh mosquito, Ochlerotatus (=Aedes) sollicitans. While there is little that can be done to prevent emergence of floodwater mosquitoes, container breeding mosquitoes are a preventable problem.
It's very important to empty wheelbarrows, bird baths, wading pools, and any other backyard items that collect and hold water.
As the summer progresses, and especially as things begin to dry out, we will also start to see more of the southern house mosquito, Culex quinquefasciatus. This pest is our main culprit for transmission of West Nile virus, so it is even more important that people participating in backyard and outdoor events take advantage of insect repellents.
