2 Entomology and Zoology Department. [Bull. 168 



9. By reason of its secluded life underground, the mole has 

 but few natural enemies. Coyotes, badgers and skunks dig 

 out a few of them, and occasionally a hawk or owl surprises 

 one aboveground. The flooding of lowlands during spring 

 freshets is probably the greatest danger that menaces the adult 

 mole and his progeny. 



10. From the standpoint of food habits, and also in respect 

 to tunneling the soil, the work of the mole is highly beneficial 

 to the interests of agriculture. Moles should not be tolerated, 

 however, in lawns, small garden plats and parks, because of 

 the disfigurement and the injury to plant roots that result 

 from their work. 



11. The best method of combating the mole is by means of 

 a trap in the hands of a person who knows how to set it. 

 Crystals of strychnine in raisins or bits of fresh meat make 

 fairly effective poison baits. 



12. The mice which take seed corn in the ground may be 

 destroyed by introducing poisoned grain baits into mole run- 

 ways throughout the field. The theft of seed corn may some- 

 times be prevented by treating it with coal tar, tobacco decoc- 

 tion, or stock dip before planting. 



Geographical distribution of the common mole (genus Scalops) , shown by the 

 shaded area. (From True's Revision of American Moles.) 



