Mole Control for Silage Fields: Protecting Your Livestock and Investment
Silage fields represent a significant investment for farmers, providing essential feed for livestock. However, mole activity can pose a serious threat to these fields, causing a range of problems from machinery damage and bacterial contamination to the risk of injury to valuable livestock. Effective mole control is crucial for preserving the quality of your silage and safeguarding your animals.
The Mole Problem in Silage Fields:
Moles create extensive tunnel systems just below the surface, disrupting the smooth terrain of silage fields and creating several key challenges:
- Machinery Damage: Molehills and tunnels create uneven surfaces, posing a significant risk to farm machinery, especially during the crucial silage harvesting process. Combine harvesters, mowers, and other equipment can be damaged by running over molehills or sinking into tunnels. This leads to costly repairs, downtime during critical periods, and increased wear and tear on machinery.
- Silage Contamination: Mole activity can introduce soil and bacteria into the silage. Moles often carry Listeria monocytogenes, a bacteria that can contaminate silage and cause listeriosis in livestock, particularly sheep. Listeriosis is a serious and potentially fatal disease. Even if moles don’t carry the bacteria themselves, their tunnels can bring soil bacteria to the surface, which can then contaminate the silage during harvesting.
- Livestock Injuries: Mole tunnels and holes create uneven footing, increasing the risk of broken legs and other injuries to livestock grazing in silage fields. This is particularly dangerous for larger animals like cows and horses. A seemingly small molehill can cause a serious stumble and lead to significant veterinary costs, not to mention the potential loss of valuable animals.
- Reduced Silage Quality: Soil contamination reduces the quality and palatability of the silage, potentially impacting livestock health and productivity. Animals may be less willing to eat contaminated silage, leading to reduced feed intake and potential nutritional deficiencies.
Effective Mole Control Strategies for Silage Fields:
Protecting your silage fields requires a proactive and integrated approach to mole control:
- Trapping: Trapping is a highly effective method, particularly for targeted control in specific areas of the field. Various types of mole traps, such as scissor traps, harpoon traps, and tunnel traps, can be strategically placed in active mole runs and around molehills. Regular checking and resetting of traps are essential.
- Professional Pest Control: For large-scale infestations or when other methods have failed, engaging a I provide a pest control service specialising in mole control in agricultural settings. I have the expertise, equipment, and access to appropriate control methods to manage mole populations effectively and safely
Protecting Your Investment:
Mole control in silage fields isn’t just about managing a nuisance; it’s about protecting your investment in livestock, machinery, and the quality of your silage. Implementing a comprehensive mole management plan, combining the methods described above, is essential for minimising the risks associated with mole activity and ensuring the long-term productivity of your silage fields. Regular monitoring and proactive intervention are key to preventing mole problems from escalating and impacting your bottom line. Contact me for help with mole control.
