All articles tagged with #moles
Amazon shoppers recommend a $35 solar ultrasonic mole repellent that emits sounds to deter moles, gophers, and snakes, helping to protect lawns without harm or chemicals. Many users report noticeable improvements in lawn health and ease of use, though it may not be a long-term solution for severe infestations.
Planting specific plants like daffodils, alliums, garlic, marigolds, and mint can naturally deter moles from damaging flowerbeds by emitting strong scents or chemicals that irritate or confuse these underground critters, providing an effective and eco-friendly pest control method.
The US Justice Department has charged Victor Manuel Rocha, a former American ambassador, with secretly serving as a Cuban agent for 42 years. Rocha, who held various high-level positions in the US government, including in the State Department and the National Security Council, had access to valuable intelligence even after retirement. He was caught in a sting operation by the FBI, where he praised Fidel Castro and referred to the United States as "the enemy." This case highlights the effectiveness of Cuba's foreign intelligence agency, which has a reputation for running aggressive operations and cultivating professional intelligence officers. Cuba's success in recruiting agents is often attributed to ideology rather than blackmail or financial incentives.
Moles, with their digger-like claws, poor eyesight, and appetite for soil-dwelling insects, have independently evolved multiple times across different continents, showcasing convergent evolution. True moles belong to the family Talpidae, found in North America and Eurasia, while golden moles in Sub-Saharan Africa and marsupial moles in Australia have evolved similar mole-like features. The naked mole rat, although not a mole, exhibits key features for underground living and displays eusociality. Additionally, crustaceans like the mole crab have also evolved mole-like adaptations, making them an extraordinary example of double convergent evolution.
Insects and wildlife can wreak havoc on gardens, but identifying the culprits is the first step to protecting plants. Rabbits cause clean cuts near ground level and gnaw bark, while deer tear at plant material and can destroy plants up to 6 feet high. Moles create cone-shaped mounds of soil and feed on insects, while voles feed on plant roots and create tunnels. Repellents and fencing are effective deterrents, but hungry deer will eat anything and no plant is truly deer-proof.