Fast forward to 14 days later (the day the stitches came out) and I get a phone call out of the blue saying could I come to the hospital TOMORROW at midday to discuss my results?

So now what? Do you:

1. Cry (on your poor unsuspecting friend who is visiting)?
2. Panic?
3. Phone your Mum?
4. Phone your husband?
5. Think that you have cancer?

I did all of the above although not in that particular order.

Then followed 18 hrs of mental torture with this never-ending cycle of thoughts ranging from the bleakest through to the embarrassingly hopeful:

1. It must be really aggressive to have got the results so quickly.
2. Maybe the results are inconclusive?
3. Imagine me without hair.
4. Think how much you love your children and how you must treasure every minute with them and not get cross and shout at them.
5. Can I be as strong as I need to be?
6. The mole has gone – it will be fine.
7. How will we manage without me working?
8. Why me and my family again?
9. I was just getting everything sorted.
10. What about my children – what will happen to them now both parents have had skin cancer?
11. It must have spread.
12. I don’t feel ill?
13. Should I make an appointment with my GP ready for when the stress got on top of me and the depression hit?
14. I HAVE CANCER!

I slept quite well that night. Surprisingly.

As I do I hid on the morning of the appointment. Didn’t drop the children off at school and cancelled running with a friend. I couldn’t cope with people and having to put on a show. I was far too tearful. Even a fairly innocuous text from my friend made me cry!

So I went for a run. On my own. Out in the middle of nowhere. As far away from people as possible. Into the countryside. Loved it. Felt strong. Felt alive.

As I headed back towards home I felt everything closing in on me. The pressure, the stress, the unknown, the worry.

Once showered I chose to wear clothes that I felt nice in. Not sure why really. Suppose I needed the boost.

On the way to the hospital I was remarkably calm. My friend had made sure that I had plenty of ‘easy’ knitting to do whilst waiting. (Bless her, she is the BEST) Even so I was very serene. No sweaty palms and most amazingly of all, I could concentrate on the knitting. My husband was not so lucky. He had been through it before and needed to know the details. I was a bit naive, expecting it to be terrible or ok-ish. He knew more.

Of course we had to wait a fair while but, for me that was fine. When we were finally called the consultant was lovely. She confirmed that yes it was melanoma, (a surprise to even her!) but that it was ‘the best sort’. It was mainly on the surface and had not started to go any deeper so really this was the start – and the end!

So there we are:

the best bad news you can have!

Joanne Scrace

When in doubt: Get it checked!

A worked example showing how to calculate the number of moles of a substance and how to calculate the percentage yield

A worked example showing how to calculate the number of moles using n=cv, calculating the number of moles of a gas and oxidation states

For years, coconut oil had a bad name as it was lumped in with unhealthy saturated fats. People steered away from it and other high fat foods. The problem with throwing coconut oil in the same category as butter, margarine, and shortening is this oil is far healthier than it appears. The saturated fats in coconut oil come from medium chain triglycerides. These shorter fat chains are easily put to use by the body and are not simply stored away as fat.

This means coconut oil boosts energy levels, raises good cholesterol, and balances out blood sugar without the weight gain, cholesterol, and other health risks that come from other saturated fats. Coconut oil doesn’t stop there. It is antimicrobial, antioxidant, antifungal, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-parasitic, and antiviral. It also aids in the absorption of vitamins and minerals. These immune boosting properties make it the perfect oil to use in a million ways. Here are 50 of our favorites.

1. Massage Oil – Coconut oil soothes tired and sore muscles. Add a few drops of essential oils for more effect.
2. Athletes Foot – The powerful antifungal properties of coconut oil make it perfect for any fungal infection. Add a few drops of oregano or tea tree oil for more antifungal power.
3. Acne – Coconut oil gently fights the bacteria that cause acne. Dab it directly on the offending pimples and watch them shrink.
4. Cleanser – Coconut oil makes an effective and gentle cleanser to remove the grime of the day.
5. Lice – Coconut oil kills and removes this pesky problem.
6. Stretch Marks – Prevent and soften stretch marks from pregnancy with coconut oil for soft and supple skin.
7. Warts and Moles – Rub oil into area and cover with a bandage. Rub in fresh oil and place a new bandage each day.
8. Moisturizer – Coconut oil is an excellent way to soften and hydrate dry, rough, or damaged skin.
9. Face Scrub – Mix coconut oil with baking soda, sugar, or cinnamon and oatmeal for the perfect face scrub and exfoliator.
10. Dandruff – Massage coconut oil into the scalp to ease symptoms of dandruff, both itching and flaking.
11. Curb Appetite – Take a spoonful before meals to curb appetite so you don’t overeat.
12. Wrinkles – Rub into lines, creases, and wrinkles to rehydrate skin and soften those wrinkles away.
13. Sore Throat – Dissolve a spoonful in your mouth and let it slowly roll down the throat. This will coat and protect the throat, boost the health of mucus membranes, and fight any infection.
14. Ring Worm – Rub coconut oil onto affected area to kill the fungus that causes unsightly ringworm. Add tea tree oil to clear the infection even faster.
15. Lip Balm – Coconut oil hydrates and protects lips. Coconut even offers some protection from the sun, about an SPF 4.
16. Cold Sore – Coconut oil has antiviral properties that will help the body get rid of the virus that causes cold sores. Rub it on when needed and add a drop of oregano oil to speed healing.
17. Lubricant – Coconut makes an all-natural personal lubricant for intimate moments without chemicals.
18. Gum Removal – Coconut oil gets the sticky stuff out of hair, carpet, and anywhere else it doesn’t belong.
19. Pet Health – Coconut oil can do a multitude of things for pets, both topically and internally. It improves breath, makes for a shiny coat, eases joint problems, cleans ears, gets rid of fleas, and much more.
20. Stys/Pink Eye – Rub a small amount of coconut oil on the sty or around the eyes to get rid of these painful and annoying infections quickly.
21. Earaches – Earaches, swimmer’s ear, and ear infections clear up fast with a few drops of coconut oil mixed with garlic oil.
22. Cradle Cap – Coconut oil is gentle and safe for infants and helps ease the itching, pain, redness, and flaking associated with cradle cap.
23. Diaper Rash – Coconut oil can help heal mild diaper rash gently and effectively.
24. Bruises – Rub coconut oil into bruised skin to speed healing and watch the bruises fade fast.
25. Age Spots – Coconut oil has beneficial effects on any skin blemish. Use it to help fade age spots with powerful antioxidants.
26. Shaving Cream – Coconut oil keeps the razor gliding smoothly while leaving skin smooth and soft.
27. After Shave – Don’t want unpleasant bumps and rashes after shaving? Coconut oil soothes sensitive skin and promotes healing.
28. Toothpaste – Mix 1 part coconut oil with 1 part baking soda and add a couple drops of peppermint oil. This makes a refreshing, natural toothpaste that whitens and cleans without added preservatives, fluoride, sweeteners, or other chemicals.
29. Chicken Pox – Ease the itch and encourage healing with dabs of coconut oil. It also works on poison ivy, poison oak, mosquito bites, and other insect stings or bites.
30. Yeast Infections – Coconut oil fights these fungal infections internally and externally.
31. Makeup Remover – Coconut oil removes oil-based makeup easily, like mascara. It cleans, hydrates, and makes skin glow.
32. Conditioner – Coconut oil conditions, strengthens, and repairs hair. Massage it in and rinse it out after ten minutes. A small amount can be rubbed in to dry hair to tame frizz.
33. Polish Furniture – Coconut oil gives a protective shine to wood furniture. Just make sure you test it out on a small area to make sure you like the outcome.
34. Energy – Coconut oil and its medium chain triglycerides make it an excellent energy source to improve stamina, endurance, or just to give you a boost through the day.
35. Deodorant – Mix coconut oil with cornstarch, baking soda, and your favorite essential oils for a natural deodorant that smells fantastic.
36. Eye Cream – Reduce puffiness and dark circles with a few dabs of coconut oil.
37. Eczema – Coconut oil reduces the itchiness, pain, flakiness, and dryness of eczema, psoriasis, and dermatitis.
38. Sunburn – Coconut oil can help prevent sunburn for short exposures. When you burn, it will also speed healing and take some of the sting away. Make sure you wait until all the heat has dissipated before applying it or you trap the heat in. Wait 24 to 72 hours depending on the extent of the burn.
39. Hemorrhoids – Coconut oil eases the pain and discomfort of hemorrhoids and encourages natural healing both internally and externally.
40. Nose Bleeds – Rub a bit of coconut oil in nostrils to fight the dry cracking that can lead to nose bleeds and pain.
41. Canker Sores – Dab coconut oil on canker sores to kill infection and speed up healing. Coconut oil is also a far tastier way to treat canker sores than most other methods.
42. Toothaches – Coconut oil eases the pain and strengthens teeth. You can mix it with a drop of clove oil to almost instantly relieve pain.
43. Acid Reflux – Take a small spoonful with meals to keep acid reflux and heartburn at bay.
44. Urinary Tract – Treat urinary tract infections with a spoonful of coconut oil. It may even ease the painful passing of kidney stones.
45. Nursing – Coconut oil works great to repair dry, cracked skin, including sore nipples from nursing.
46. Alzheimer’s – Some research points to coconut oil as a way to slow the progression of or prevent Alzheimer’s and dementia.
47. Bones – Coconut oil aids the body in the absorption of calcium and magnesium. Both minerals are important for strong bones and teeth.
48. Epilepsy – Coconut oil may reduce the incidence and intensity of epileptic seizures.
49. Fitness – Coconut oil boosts energy, increases metabolism, improves thyroid function, and aids healthy weight loss. It is the perfect addition to any workout or fitness regimen.
50. Cooking – Coconut oil doesn’t form harmful by-products when heated like most other oils and animal fats. Use it to replace butter, cup for cup in recipes. Sauté, cook, bake, broil, braise, and more using coconut oil as a healthier alternative.

Source: http://www.sunwarrior.com/news/50-of-the-best-uses-for-coconut-oil/

gathering

one by one

shapes of constellations

one by one

spreading across olive skin

cells growing in clusters becoming little brown & bumpy mounds

when my mom used to carry me i would touch her

moles on her neck

i would pretend that my fingertip was a little

person jumping on the little sacks of flesh

bounce bounce bounce

until my mom shooed away my little grubby hands

now when i look in the mirror those moles are back

wiggling their little bodies like kids urging a game of tag

my skin is playing games

and now i count them

one by one

Charlie will run down squirrels and rabbits, snatching them up on the fly, shaking and slamming the animal to the ground.  He will do this repeatedly until the poor creature is dead or wishes he was.  The mark of a true killer.  Moles are a particularly favorite victim of his.  I’m not sure if he hears the moles in the ground or smells them, but he will stand stock still for a moment, then start digging and without fail pull a mole out of the ground to torture and kill.  Charlie feels that it’s his purpose in life to rid the world of moles, snakes and lizards.  The moles I don’t care about, because of the damage done to our yard.  We even have friends that want us to rent him out to them.

I can see the ads now, “Serial Killer for Rent” “Mole Assassin for Hire” or “You Got Varmints – We Got Charlie, The Serial Killer”.

JFIC D

Davoll

Personal Author:     

Davoll, Barbara.       

Title:    

The upstairs connection / written by Barbara Davoll.   Illustrated by Dennis Hockerman.           

Publication info:

Chicago : Moody Press, c1993.           

Physical description:

93 p. : col. ill.        

Series Statement:              

(Molehole mysteries)           

Summary:

A strange illness is threatening the town of Molesbury. Junior agent Alby searches for clues in the Roots Swamp, but will he make it back before it’s too late?                   

Subject term:    

Moles (Animals)–Juvenile fiction.       

Subject term:    

Ecology–Juvenile fiction.

Subject term:

Disease—Juvenile fiction.

ISBN:

0802427049

Tags:

American, animals, children, children’s literature, Christian, moles, mystery, young adult

JFIC D

Davoll

Personal Author:

Davoll, Barbara.

Title:

Secret at mossy roots mansion :  Molehole Mystery Series / Written by Barbara Davoll.  Illstrated by Dennis Hockerman.

Publication info:

Chicago : Moody Press, c1992.

Physical description:

93 p. : col. ill., map

Series Statement:

Molehole mysteries, Book 2

Summary:

Musty Mole takes a shortcut across gloomy Mossy Roots Swamp. On the way, she runs into something pretty strange. The club members investigate–and learn the danger of judging others by what’s seen on the outside.

Subject term:

Mystery and adventure—Juvenile fiction.

Subject term:

Moles—Juvenile fiction.

Subject term:

Judgement—Juvenile fiction.

ISBN:

0802427014

Tags:

American, animals,  children, children, fiction, Christian, moles, young adult

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Many Minnesotans have waited months for the snow to melt. But what’s underneath has homeowners alarmed this spring.

Yards with long trails of dead grass and shrubs with the bark eaten off are signs of a type of field mouse called a vole.

Jim Reeves is a rodent control specialist and owner of the company Minnesota Mole. And he’s certainly no stranger to references from a particular golf comedy.

“Some customers, they want to use dynamite and they bring up ‘Caddyshack’ a lot,” Reeves said.

But before you take explosives to your yard, there are some things you should know about voles.

“A vole is a chubby mouse basically,” he said. “They eat the grass roots and leave the grass clippings laying.”

Reeves says he’s been getting upwards of 20 calls a day from homeowners.

“This is a busy year. Last year was a long, hot summer and there was a high rodent population that carried over,” he said.

This year’s prolonged snow cover has provided voles with ample hiding places from predators and the elements.

In order to catch them, Reeves uses a combination of traps and poison.

“Regular snap traps work the best,” he said.

Cost for expert removal ranges from $100 to $500 – but insurance companies will often pay for some, if not all, of the removal costs.

sniffing and snorting

Max is not really a digger.

He certainly hasn’t made any unwelcome holes in our garden or started burrowing under the fence in bid for freedom of any kind.

One thing guaranteed to get those little paws peddling at the soil though is a mole hill!

there’s something in there!!

There are quite a few around at the moment and even though it has been wet, snowy and freezing cold for what seems like an age, it hasn’t deterred the moles who regularly push up in the middle of a lawn, field or grass verge to the annoyance of almost everyone.

Some of the mole hills that have become crusted over, show signs of additional and more recent activity where there is a little extra pile of fresh earth on the top.

definitely

That is going to get max digging……

huh?

He clearly doesn’t realise (or care perhaps) that once a mole hill is formed, there is very little chance that the mole will still be in it. He leaps on it with huge enthusiasm and dogged determination before the paws start and the soil goes flying all of which is interspersed with occasional snorts and sniffing (just in case it is still there you understand).

i’ll just have another go

If I set my feelings for him aside, and was honest about it, I can’t say that Max is what you’d call much use as terrier. He chases hares & deer when we are out walking, he scuttles off after the squirrels in the park and sees off the pigeons from the garden bird feeder but he’s never caught anything (on the rare occasions he has caught a rabbit it is generally because they are unfortunate enough to have mixxy, poor things).

it’s still in there

His failings are completely disproportionate to the enthusiasm and commitment he applies to digging when it is the task in hand and by that measure, he should be a phenomenal success.

Never mind, he keeps trying regardless of the small fact that he will NEVER catch them.

Congenital nevi: moles that are present at birth

Dysplastic nevi or atypical moles: are larger-than-average moles that have an irregular shape and might have the following characteristics: uneven coloring, sometimes dark brown centers and lighter, jagged edges, reddish border or small black dots around their edge

Cause of a mole: Melanin is produced in cells called melanocytes located in the two upper layers of the skin. Moles are produces when melanocytes don’t distribute evenly and grow in clusters.

 Removal methods for moles: Two popular methods are excision followed by stitches and excision with cauterization. The first method involves cutting off the mole and resealing the wound with stitches. The second method, a tool burns away the mole, cauterizing, or sealing, the wound as the mole is removed. Both methods are outpatient procedures.

When to see a doctor: Moles should be checked out by a dermatologist on a regular basis or whenever the doctor recommends. If the moles changes in size or color or you begin to feel a sensation in the mole immediately seek a dermatologist’s opinion.

My experience with mole removal: My doctor gave me an option to have the mole removed by “surgery” which involved excision followed by stitches. He said it would leave less of a scar but that I would have to set up an appointment. I think it’s a simple procedure for them but due to being more careful trying to avoid a scar and stitching it requires more time. I said screw that and opted for the fast food method. He removed three moles, same day appointment, 5-7 minutes procedure for each one.

I had three moles removed and all were cauterized. I was given a shot in the moles to numb the area. The needle was extremely short and thin. There was an acute burning sensation but the pain didn’t spread. It was just in the spot that the needle penetrated.

It wasn’t really painful either, more like an intense bite from an insect, for those that have experienced that sensation before. So, the doctor burns off the mole and you don’t feel a thing. You do smell it, a burning odor. A band aid is placed over the area. I was left with a round circle of a medium shade of brown where the mole use to be.

The spots faded but over the years but not completely. But I never used any fading cream. I use to have a mole on my back but that has been removed. The mark on my back was actually bigger than the mole and was raised above the skin, a keloid. The doctor told me it might happen. I used a solid stick of coco butter and the spot got lighter and smaller.

Moles, Warts & Skin Tags Removal

All product & service details and prices are on the website. You will see it before you buy. Some products/service available for free trial. If you want to try it before decide to buy it. Maybe you spend a little money to find a great success. We sincerely hope that this will help you achieve you want with Moles, Warts & Skin Tags Removal.

Tag: How Moles, Warts & Skin Tags Removal, Guide Moles, Warts & Skin Tags Removal, Moles, Warts & Skin Tags Removal Review,

I created an exemplar for my S1′s Fanelli/mental health unit. It focused on the idea of taking something bad and turning it into a good thing. Quite a hard concept for S1 pupils to digest, though I think it opened up the ideas for them to be able to conceive their own work. We discussed looks and how their lives were much more focused on image and status through social profiles and networking. We also discussed how bad moments can linger and stay with us, but if you create an artwork about it, it can sometimes help deal with the situation.

My example was focused on my obsession with being too moley. I explained that I hated my skin for being too moley, but that I also love the cosmos. I explained that one day I was looking at my moles and hating them, then spotted that some of them looked exactly like the Big Dipper and other constellations. When I discovered this, I wasn’t upset about my moles anymore.

Art can be an outlet to help us deal with tragic, stressful or embarrassing times in our life. It can help us see the beauty in all moments and things by addressing them with skill and visual beauty.

This unit and exemplar were extremely successful and helped my pupils not only deal with such a moment themselves, but also let them create a beautiful, skilful piece of art. If you are a teacher, it’s worth purchasing a Fanelli book, some pattern and graph paper and giving it a go yourself.

JEFIC W

Waite

Author: Waite, Michael P., 1960-
Title:     The parable of Digger’s marvelous moleberry patch : in which the Windy Woods campers learn the biblical value of generosity / by Michael Waite ; illustrated by Sheila Lucas.
Published: Colorado Springs, Co. : Chariot Family Publishing, c1996.
Physical Description: 32 p. : ill. ; 21 cm.
Subject:Generosity –Juvenile fiction.
Animals –Juvenile fiction.
Camps –Juvenile fiction.
Conduct of life –Juvenile fiction.
Other Name: Lucas, Sheila.
ISBN:     0781402786

Hai guys! Another post, and another pair of pants from Spirit Store. I featured their Minoko? (I forgot how they are called and too lazy to look it up) in my last post, and in this post I’m sporting their Niora pants. I love these as well, for the same reasons; the wrinkles, a little baggy, and low on the waist! I’ve also had this hair from Lamb ever since it came out, but I found it back in my inventory a few days ago and was like “Um, did I ever even wear this for one second?” so I re-fell in love with it. The horns are from Violent Seduction and as some might know, I adore that store! The headband is part of it, and it has super cute Sakura flowers on it, which are perfect for spring. The weather here is pretty nice, don’t see why everyone’s complaining!

+1:

• Skin: .tsg. Hope :: E tone :: Bust (Skin Fair)
• Headband & horns: Violent Seduction – Sakura Horns
• Hair: !lamb. Crystal Ball (Mesh) – Snickers
• Parted lip: [PXL] OpenMouth PRO TEETH v1.3
• Heart tattoo: [okkbye] Chest Tattoo – <3 (SL Fashion Week)
• Top: {Sugar Heart} Pink Striped Oh La La Tee
• Pants: Spirit Store - Niora rigged mesh pants black
• Shoes: BLK MAX75 Purple Std-Style
• Pose: Imeka~Pose~Lisa~5

I am heading towards the goats shed to do the morning milking, pail in hand, humming contentedly to myself, listening to the birdsong, breathing in the chill frosty air.

My daughter failed to rise with me this morning and is sleeping peacefully, snuggled up in bed under numerous heavy blankets and feather filled eider-downs, with the dogs at her feet.

I greet the goats with a chirpy “Good morning girls”. Then take a scoop of feed to Marigold (my pregnant goat). I then lead Tansy, my milker, to the milking stand that is set inside the warmth of the feed store.

I put her breakfast in the milking stand trough, she climbs willingly up onto it and starts to eat, noisily.

I wash her udders, talk to her soothingly and strip a little milk from each udder into the strip cup.. and then proceed to milk her properly into the pail. I listen to the rhythmic whooshing and frothing sounds of the milk as it hits the bucket. It is almost hypnotizing.

Tansy suddenly stops eating, looks up and stares out of the doorway ….and there, right in front of us, is a barn owl, swooping silently over the veg patch, then settling down to perch on the fence post that is barely ten feet from where I am sitting.

It has it’s back to us and it is seemingly unaware that we are there. I sit stock still hardly daring to breathe..and in seconds, all too soon,  it is gone. Beautiful!

I smile and carry on milking.

Tansy settles back down to the serious job of eating. She finishes her rations in super quick time and becomes fidgety. I calm her with my voice but she is determined to make it known that she wants more food and so she bleats loudly in my ear, then nuzzles and pulls my hair. I cave in and give her another handful.

Eventually milking is completed. I wash her now soft udder and massage a little udder cream into it. I give her the carrot slices that I have been hiding in my pocket and lead her back to the goat shed, where her kids are waiting to finish emptying her udder.

I top up all of the hay-racks and water buckets for the goats. Then quickly feed the hens, quail, geese and duck. All done in super quick time, I take the milk pail back to the kitchen in order to filter and cool the milk as fast as possible, but as I do so I see a small mound of earth move on the riverbank, right next to a clump of snowdrops….

Suddenly a tiny black furry head and two huge feet appear in the centre of it.. then promptly they disappear again. A Mole!! That is a first for me, as I have never seen a live mole before, only the apparently undamaged carcasses, that my old cat Rosie used to present to me occasionally.

We have ‘trouble’ with moles here at Riverside. The riverbank is dotted with their hills and the steeply sloped bank is no longer is a smooth swathe of grasses and wild-flowers, but is instead a cratered ankle breaking, obstacle course! But to see a mole, a real live mole, albeit for such a brief moment, is a delight!

Indoors again now, hands washed and time to pour the fresh, frothy milk through a filter into a large milk jug. The lid is put on tightly and the jug is submerged into a deep bowl of icy cold water. The cold tap runs into the bowl and over the jug and overflows into the sink, acting as a make shift cooling system. It works fine.

Once thoroughly chilled, the jug is put in the fridge.1.6 litres of wonderful natural goat’s milk from this morning’s milking!  Thank you Tansy!

I  top up the fire and make a cup of tea. My daughter is still sleeping and the dogs are now  fussing me for a biscuit, which of course they get.

I then sit down at the kitchen table to drink my morning cup of tea. I gaze out of the window at my bird feeder and there sitting on a hanging bird table, right in front of me, is a rat. Fat, brown and furry, with two black glossy bead-like eyes and small almost transparent rounded ears. It’s almost hairless tail is hanging over the edge of the tray. It twitches the tip of it now and then as it stuffs sunflower seeds into it’s mouth. I tap on the window. Nothing…..It simply looks at me. Haha! The cheek of it! Eventually it climbs down and picks up a few fallen seeds from the grass under the feeder and then runs off into next door’s orchard.

Now as much as I would prefer rats not to come here, and I am quite aware of the diseases they can spread, I still have to admire this little chap’s boldness and ingenuity. My bird feeder is metal and he has scaled a single, smooth metal tubular pole to get to the hanging tray at the very top. Quite a feat!

I think it is impossible to get on top of the rat population here. There have always been rats along riverbanks.  It is the perfect habitat for them, and although I do set traps and we do get owls hunting them here, there will always be rats where there is water. It is something I have learned to live with.

But I do not encourage them to come near the cottage or in the animals housing. All animal feed is locked away in metal bins. No food is left out.

But it seems that they have now learned to climb my bird table !  So what to do about that? More traps maybe?

It is now 8:30 am.Time to wake my daughter. I have Tales of the River Bank to tell her …..Ratty and Mole and Owl came to visit today  :-)

Have a great day!

In the spring the population of moles and gophers is at its lowest but will soon blossom into the highest numbers in two short months. I have preached for years that for every one mole we catch in April is worth five moles in May. If you want to know how many critters are on your property the only way to accurately access this is to catch them all. I have caught from 1 to 35+ in one yard in one season. Typically the longer they have been a problem the more there are to deal with and the longer it takes to gain control. Short tailed shrews offer another challenge as some people have all moles some have all shrews and many have both. Most mole traps will not capture short tailed shrews. Damage from shrews is nearly identical to that of moles.

What is control? When I talk control I mean that we have caught every mole on your property and the next time one shows up it is caught shortly thereafter. To know whether we have caught all the moles is from the lack of seeing damage for a period of time, generally two weeks. To LWC, control is NOT having moles reproducing on your property. We cannot keep them off of your property but we can keep them from reproducing there.

I have struggled with pricing for years and tried many different ways to charge for my services. I now charge for doing the job according to the number of trips to your property (mileage) and the size of your property, and for a period of time. I do not charge by the number of moles caught. The different options of service is for 10 days, 45 days, 100 days or for the season. I can give you general prices over the phone but will actually have to see your property to accurately bid the job. I do not come look at properties for free, If i come out I get paid. Neighbors working together can save money and gain better control overall.

Generally a bad infestation requires professional help but in the following years control can be done on your own. LWC has great traps for sale along with professional advice on their use for those willing to trap on their own.