Moles have black fur with a pink snout and large front paws which are perfect for digging. Even though there are estimated to be around 40 million moles in the UK, the likelihood is that you will probably never see one above ground.
They are sub-terranean mammals who spend their time burrowing tunnel networks in the soil. However, although elusive, they do leave signs that they’re active on your property – most notably the famous mole hills which are comprised of the excavated soil from their tunnels.
If you do see mole hills in your garden, don’t worry. They tend to be territorial and solitary so it’s likely that any activity will be the efforts of a single mole. Their diets are made up of grubs and earthworms, which will be the predominant reason they are active in a particular area. They do not feed on vegetation, so any damage they cause to plants via burrowing will be incidental to their hunting activities. They can dig 2 sets of burrows, one just below the surface which can cause ground to become unstable and a further network deeper down which can be used for nesting or storing food.
Moles are active year-round, however they prefer moist soil, as this is where the earthworms tend to be, so you’re more likely to see their presence during wetter months between October and April. In drier months, they will look to seek out wetter areas of garden such as where hoses are used to water plants.
Signs
Mole Hills
These are created from the moles throwing up excess soil from their tunnelling activities. They can burrow up to 200m per day so they can pop up quickly and in large numbers.
Reduced growth and/or dead plants
Their tunnelling can affect seedlings in soil as well as root growth and structure which, in turn, can affect the growth of plants.
It may be harder to spot mole hills in areas of shrubbery (compared to grassy areas) as it will be predominantly made up of churned soil anyway, but reduced plant health and growth can be a sign that moles are dwelling beneath.
Dead patches of grass
As above, as moles tunnel underground, they damage roots of plants. If there are unexplained patches of dead grass on your land, it could be a sign that moles have burrowed underneath.
Unstable ground
Where they’ve tunnelled underground can cause the topsoil to become unstable. This is especially so where they’ve tunnelled near to the surface in search of food, leaving it unable to support any extra weight (such as a human’s footstep).
Problems
Moles aren’t really a direct risk to human health so any plans to eradicate them should be weighed against the benefits they can bring to land, such as aerating soil, hunting bugs and drainage.
However, that is not to say that they are not a nuisance. As above, they can create a collection of mole hills that are unsightly in gardens and can be particular problems on land such as golf courses.
Their tunnels can also make the ground unstable which can be a particular problem in areas such as paddocks. It’s not always easy to see where the ground has become unstable, although areas between mole hills will be the most likely to be affected.
As mentioned above, their burrowing can disrupt the roots of plants which can hinder their growth or even kill them. When they burrow, they can also throw up hard objects such as rocks which can damage valuable machinery including lawnmowers.
Why Are They in My Garden?
The reasons why moles have invaded your property are usually pretty simple. As their main food source is earthworms or grubs, they will likely be there because there are plenty of these lurking in your soil. Whilst there is a sufficient source of food available, they’re unlikely to leave on their own accord.
Other factors can include an absence of any disturbance for the moles, such as annoying noises or smells they don’t like, as well as loose, moist soil that is easy for them to dig through. This soil is likely to be like this during wetter months or on lawns that are regularly watered.
Solutions
Aside from the above, moles don’t pose much risk to humans. In light of this, any decision to control them should be balanced against the benefits of natural biodiversity they bring. It’s also common for moles to migrate and use vacant tunnels, meaning if you can get rid of one, another may just take its place.
However, if you feel their presence has become too disruptive, the only reason they will leave your land naturally is when their food source runs out. Given they feed on grubs and earthworms, this will normally be outside of your control, so there are various options available to get rid of them.
We will focus on trapping and repelling them as we provide a range of products to address this.
Mole Traps
There are three main types of mole trap available; tunnel, scissor and claw which are all spring loaded. They are placed inside of active tunnels and are activated when the mole travels through and hits the trigger plate.
Once placed, the top of the claw and scissor traps stick out of the ground which makes them easy to locate. Tunnel traps are completely submerged in the soil which can make them a better option if pets or other animals frequent the area.
Making sure you set them in tunnels that are used consistently by the moles increases effectiveness. You can find active runways by poking holes in the top of soil near mole hills and if the soil gives way easily, you’ve located a tunnel. Once located, leave the hole alone. If the holes are repaired a few days later, this indicates the mole is active in that tunnel and is a suitable location for the trap.
By setting traps in the spring, you can target pregnant female moles which can prevent larger infestation problems later down the line.
Another important point is that you must use a high-quality trap with high-quality components including springs to ensure it is a quick, humane kill. You should also follow the manufacturer’s instructions on the packaging of the trap. Moles are clever and can easily detect disturbances in their tunnels so will avoid traps that aren’t set correctly or placed properly.
It's also important to check the traps regularly as moles can push soil onto the trap, triggering it without catching the mole. It will need resetting if this occurs.
Each of our mole traps come with their specific instructions on their product pages. Below are some general tips that apply to each of them:
Look for signs of mole activity, as per the above. Look for mole hills to begin with, then prod around edge of the mole hill until the you find an area where the ground is loose and falls through easily. This will indicate where the tunnel is.
Cut out an area of tunnel the size of the trap you’re using.
Remove any loose soil in the tunnel and place the trap inside.
Cover the sides and top of the tunnel around the trap so no light can get in through holes.
Always mark the locations where you have set the traps.
Rub soil over the top of the trap to remove your scent and never wash the trap once a mole has been caught.
Check traps at least once a day and remove any dead moles.
Mole Repellers
As moles have incredibly bad eyesight, they rely heavily on their sense of hearing and touch to get around. Ultrasonic mole repellers work by emitting annoying noises and vibrations underground (which are inaudible to humans). As they have such an acute sense of hearing, these noises can be extremely effective in deterring them, without the need to kill them.
Aside from removing the need to kill them, these can also offer a further advantage. Moles have been known to migrate and use tunnels that have been abandoned by previous moles. The problem with trapping is that, although you can remove the mole that is currently present, another could just come and take its place. Mole Repellers, on the other hand, are placed in the ground and last indefinitely, providing ongoing protection from new unwanted guests visiting.
Legal Considerations
Moles are protected from cruelty under the Wild Mammals (Protection) Act 1996, which makes it an offence for any person to mutilate, kick, beat, nail or otherwise impale, stab, burn, stone, crush, drown, drag or asphyxiate any wild mammal with intent to inflict unnecessary suffering.
They are also protected under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 (which states that a person in control of an animal must ensure any interaction is humane). According to the BPCA, this means moles must be controlled in a way that causes the least amount of suffering as possible.
The RSPCA also note that under the Spring Traps (Approval) Order 2012, anyone using traps must take steps to prevent injury or death to any species other than the one it was intended for.
It is important that you familiarise yourself with the laws pertaining to trapping moles before setting traps. Further information can be found via the RSPCA, BPCA and Government websites.
Conclusion
Moles are not particularly dangerous to humans, however they can be a real nuisance. They’re natural activities of burrowing underground can cause unsightly mole hills, structural damage to land and inhibit the development of plants.
They will be particularly attracted to areas where there are plenty of grubs and earthworms to feed on as well as ground which is easier to burrow.
Although a nuisance, they do, bring natural benefits to gardens such as improving soil health and drainage, therefore any decisions to get rid of them should be considered in light of their benefits.
There are humane ways to deal with them, such as using Repellers, however trapping is also an option which, if done properly, can be an effective, humane solution.
We supply a range of high-quality Repellers and traps which can be used time and time again.
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