Moles

[Eastender]

I think I have just seen a Mole in my garden. At first I thought it was a Hedgehog but when I looked from the window it seemed dark grey in colour with a silky coat, and moved pretty quickly. I have cats, so first of all will it go for the cats? and how do you get rid of them? thanks

[Buenchico]

I'd be extremely surprised if you've seen a mole in your garden. There are people who've had molehills all over their gardens for decades but they've never actually seen a mole ;-)

Moles are completely harmless to people (except those people who're driven to distraction by molehills in their lawn!) and pets. They're only about 15cm (6") long and live mainly on worms. They're almost blind and rarely come above ground. A cat might easily kill a mole but a mole can't harm a cat.

You can learn about moles here:
http://www.wildkids.org.uk/woodland/mammals7.h tm

If you've got a mole in your garden, you'll know because of the mole hills. The Royal Horticultural Society have advice on dealing with the problem:
http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profiles1000/mole s.asp

It's far more likely that what you saw was a large rat. If so, your cats will be delighted. (The best way to get rid of rats is to get a cat). The only slight risk to cats is that, if someone puts poison down for the rats, the cats could eat the bait or (more likely) eat the dead rat containing the poison.

There are no native mammals, other than foxes, which pose any real risk to cats. However, if you live near to water, you might have seen a mink. (These are now found throughout the country, after their ancestors either escaped from, or were released from mink farms). I've never heard of one attacking a cat but it might occur. Information about mink, together with advice on dealing with them, is on the Defra website:
http://www.defra.gov.uk/rds/publications/techn ical/tan_02.pdf

Chris

[Waaii]

My cats quite often dig them up and I have found several, they are quite cute (with little pink hands and silky coats) for creatures who drive so many people with nice lawns to distraction. Garlic or Incarvillia bulbs in the tunnel usually sends them packing to your neighbours garden!

[jake-the-peg]

I have seen a mole but only once they look just like the pictures:

http://www.bugsandweeds.co.uk/animals/mole.jpg

I don't think they're particularly fast movers though because their eyesight is poor.

Did you see a tail? as moles don't have them - I'd think a rat was more likely too.

In either case You're cat's a much bigger threat to them, our neighbour's cat has made short work of the occasional rat that we''ve had.

[shylock73]

A 12bore shotgun will deter it