Moles

Garden moles are small mammals that live underground where they dig tunnels in search of food. They prefer loose soil which is not too dry or too wet therefore good garden soil attacks them. These little animals are not rodents, but carnivores that rather eat insects than the plants in your garden. This means that when there is only one or two in your garden, they could control ground pests attacking your plants. It also means that if you have an infestation of moles, you might have a ground pests infestation too.

Unfortunately, in the absence of other insects and worms, they eat earthworms which are of great value to your garden. To make matters worse, they have insatiable appetites forcing them to eat 70 – 100% of their body-weight every day thus depleting the soil of earthworms. Moles can have up to seven pups at a time and as each of these pups matures, they will, of course, start digging their own network of tunnels. If you keep in mind that one mole can push six hills in 24 hours, you will realise the potential problem.

Although these surface-dwelling creatures are not known to carry diseases, and can help to keep ground pests at bay, their presence can be a problem.

Why is a Garden Mole Regarded as a Pest?

• Since moles dig up to four meters an hour, their soil hills and ridges spoil lawns, formal gardens, bowling greens, golf greens, flower beds, planted fields, etc.
• Their underground tunnels can create a convenient access route for rodents to the roots of your plants and even trees.
• Many molehills on the lawn cause a lot of soil on grass which can smother the growth.
• They deplete the garden soil of earthworms which are of utmost importance for plant growth.
• Their digging can damage garden irrigation systems.
• The stones they bring up to the surface can cause damage to equipment such as lawn mowers and harvesters.
• Although they do not eat them, they kill plants because they disturb their roots.
• Where they dig, the ground is uneven as a result of ridges and mounds which can cause people as well as livestock to fall and injure themselves.

Factors such as these can be very costly to farmers, gardeners as well as businesses. Pest Control Excellence staff are professionals who know exactly how to help you get rid of your mole problem. Let us remove your molehill, before it becomes a mountain.