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Moles 
Moles live under ground in much the same manner as pocket gophers, 
and their mounds look much alike. Moles feed largely on earthworms and 
grubs, whereas pocket gophers generally eat roots and other vegetable 
food. Moles are generally taken in special mole traps, of three principal 
types: (1) choker loops, (2) gripping or scissor-jaws, and (3) impaling 
spikes. All depend on the same sort of tripping device, a trigger pan 
resting on an obstruction produced in the mole’s runway where the trap 
is set. A good strong garden trowel is useful in setting mole traps. The 
impaling or spearing type of trap is not very satisfactory for collecting 
purposes, as the skin is usually mangled. 
Bats 
Bats may often be caught by using a flashlight in caves, mine-shafts, 
attics, old barns, etc., but sometimes the only method that gives results 
is snap-shooting on the wing at twilight at the edge of clearings. Mr. 
C. H. Young informed the writer that he had caught bats in England by sus- 
pending fly hooks of smallest minnow size with fine gut leaders where bats 
are accustomed to fly in the evening. Bats should be collected in all parts 
of Canada whenever possible, as there is less definite information about the 
species found, their distribution, and habits, than about the mammals of 
any other group. 
Borell (1937) describes a new method of catching bats by stretching 
strands of No. 24 and 26 wire across an open water tank, inches above 
the water and 4 or 5 feet apart. These knocked down most of the bats 
that flew over and they were caught as they swam ashore. This method 
is most practical in a very dry season where the bats come to drink or 
to catch insects over the water. 
Van Tyne (1933) tried out Italian bird-netting methods in tropical 
jungle in Guatemala, using an imported linen bird net about 40 feet long 
and over 6 feet high. The two coarse outer nets were made of squares 
about 7 inches on a side, and the central net of much finer texture had a 
^-inch mesh. The whole was suspended by little metal rings from a stout 
cord stretched between two trees the right distance apart, at about 7 feet 
from the ground, the space between the trees being cleared. The outer 
trammels should be taut, and the fine inner mesh then pulled up between 
the trammels so that it hangs evenly and loosely all over the net. Any 
bird or bat striking it will make a pocket and become entangled instantly. 
He considers this method useful in regions where there are no caves or old 
buildings to harbour bats, or for securing forest bats that do not roost in 
caves. 
Control of Bats 
Bats in North America are generally beneficial as destroyers of noxious 
insects, but certain species often cause annoyance by roosting in attics 
and summer cottages. The best remedy is to prevent them from entering, 
by closing all holes and cracks around eaves and chimneys. It is frequently 
possible to drive bats from attics, double walls, or other enclosed spaces by 
scattering naphthaline flakes liberally around the place occupied by the 
bats. Usually 2 to 5 pounds are required to drive the bats from the 
average roost in a building. 
