Characteristics Of Rodents; Recommendations - Andermatt Biocontrol topcat Mode D'emploi

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Characteristics of rodents

Water vole
Arvicola terrestris
Feeds predominantly on underground roots and tubers
Cylindrical body, long and beaver like teeth
Length: 12 – 20 cm; Weight: 60 – 110 g
Heaps are rather flat, the
soil is slightly crumbly with
plant and root residues
High
Common vole
Microtus arvalis
Versatile herbivore, specialised on herbs and seeds
Cylindrical body, but more slender than the bigger water
voles
Length: 9 – 12 cm; Weight: 20 – 45 g
Very small amount of soil
around the open burrow
entrance. The soil is very
crumbly
Very high
Mole
Talpa sp.
Carnivore: Earthworms, larvae and insects etc.
Very muscular body, powerful forepaws for digging and
with strong nails. Lean, trunk-like snout
Length: 10 – 15 cm; Weight: 50 – 130 g
Hemispherical with rough
cloddy soil
Low
Diet
Body characteristics
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Burrows and mounds
Reproduction potential

Recommendations

One to two traps per burrow are sufficient. Check
traps frequently, to see if the mechanism has been set
off.
If a trap is often filled with earth, clean the tunnel and
make sure that neither light nor air penetrates into the
tunnel.
Moles (if allowed to trap) are difficult to catch because
they live individually in their extensive (100 – 250 m)
galleries. Thus patience is needed.
Voles and moles are sensitive to odours. While the
smell of humans does not repel them, the strong odour
of dissolvents, dung or perfume does. Traps with such
odours are often filled with earth and need to be
washed thoroughly with warm water. Store traps in an
open container in an odour neutral area.
For voles, no bait is required, while common voles are
caught more quickly in baited traps: attach a piece of
carrot or apple to the upper trigger.
Trapping can be optimised if catches are protocolled
and the following is observed:
Voles live in family groups: a male, one or two
■
females and 4 to 5 offspring.
Field mice live in larger groups. Catching more than
■
10 mice in the same spot is not unusual.
Moles are solitary except during the mating season.
■
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