Around Montmorillon

Found these holes in the poly tunnel this morning near the base of one of the tomato plants. I'm thinking Frog or Toad, can anyone confirm?

(Sat-01-07-2017, 11:48 AM)Fred Wrote: [ -> ]Found these holes in the poly tunnel this morning near the base of one of the tomato plants. I'm thinking Frog or Toad, can anyone confirm?

Was it Mrs Freds stilettos

Mice or rats maybe?

(Sat-01-07-2017, 12:31 PM)Jiml Wrote: [ -> ]Was it Mrs Freds stilettos  

Noooooooooooo she only wears hobnail boots Jim.  

(Sat-01-07-2017, 18:36 PM)Jane Wrote: [ -> ]Mice or rats maybe?

I did think that Jane, but there is no evidence of poop anywhere. Also it's very open so my thinking is that rats or mice would rather be in amongst the junk at the bottom of the garden to keep themselves hidden.

We've had similar holes and a French neighbour suggested they were made by loirs - edible dormice.

(Sat-01-07-2017, 23:02 PM)Bhouse Wrote: [ -> ]We've had similar holes and a French neighbour suggested they were made by loirs - edible dormice.

Interesting Brian I had never heard of them, I'll have a read up.

Does your neighbour know how to get rid of them ? I do have a mole trap, but didn't want to use it in case it is a Toad.

(Sun-02-07-2017, 10:21 AM)Fred Wrote: [ -> ]

(Sat-01-07-2017, 23:02 PM)Bhouse Wrote: [ -> ]We've had similar holes and a French neighbour suggested they were made by loirs - edible dormice.

Interesting Brian I had never heard of them, I'll have a read up.

Does your neighbour know how to get rid of them ? I do have a mole trap, but didn't want to use it in case it is a Toad.

Just catch 'em and eat them.

Great delicacy back in the day when the Romans popped into Gaul for a spot of pillaging, empire building etc etc..

BUT.....our French chums say they are an absolute bugger if they get into the house.  They take up residence in the roof space, drag their grub up there and leave the un-eaten bits to slowly rot.

(Sun-02-07-2017, 11:26 AM)Admiral Wrote: [ -> ]Just catch 'em and eat them.

Great delicacy back in the day when the Romans popped into Gaul for a spot of pillaging, empire building etc etc..

BUT.....our French chums say they are an absolute bugger if they get into the house.  They take up residence in the roof space, drag their grub up there and leave the un-eaten bits to slowly rot.

The Romans may like eating them, but I'll stick to Coypu pate thanks.

Thanks for the tip Admiral I wondered what those noises where in my loft, I'll take my shotgun to bed tonight and wait for them.

Now what about putting down some Rat poison. Would the Loirs eat it, but the Toad if it is one would leave it alone. ?

OOps........i`d keep that quiet if I were you! Loirs (or lerots) have fully protected status in France. Allegedly they can cause havoc by eating electrical cables......their other famous characteristic is that they are INCREDIBLY noisy in the middle of the night. Super-cute to look at, but after 3 nights of interrupted sleep, that cuteness somewhat lost its appeal!!

(Tue-04-07-2017, 20:12 PM)little Al Wrote: [ -> ]OOps........i`d keep that quiet if I were you! Loirs (or lerots) have fully protected status in France. Allegedly they can cause havoc by eating electrical cables......their other famous characteristic is that they are INCREDIBLY noisy in the middle of the night. Super-cute to look at, but after 3 nights of interrupted sleep, that cuteness somewhat lost its appeal!!

Anything that goes after my Veg will have to go.  

I kept filling the hole up with the hosepipe last night until it wasn't going anywhere, this morning there was no sign of any disturbance. My thinking was if it is a Toad or Frog he will survive but a rodent wouldn't, or at least he would move home.  

I'm happy to let all sorts of creatures live at the bottom of the garden, but if they start effecting our produce then they have to be dispatched.    

As for keeping it quiet, I would imagine that would be more to stop the locals getting out their BBQs rather than protecting them.