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Mole Traps
Mole Facts
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Mole Facts As mole trapping experts, we know how frustrating trapping and eliminating moles can be. Our Mole Facts pages are designed to give you the information you need to get rid of your mole problem. Mole Questions
Mole Damage
Mole Traits
Mole Habitat
Mole Reproduction
Mole Species
How do I know if I have moles and not some other pest? The best way to determine what type of pest you have is by the damage you see. Moles: If you have a mole, you will see mounds of dirt and/or surface tunnels: Dirt mounds (look like piles or "puffs" of dirt shaped like a volcano) Surface tunnels (look like the veins on the back of your hand). Not all moles will have both surface tunnels and dirt mounds. If you see one or the other (or both), you have a mole. Pocket Gophers: Damage done by pocket gophers is similar to moles, but there is a major difference. Dirt mounds are crescent-shaped (like a "C") with a "dirt plug" on one side of the mound If the damage seems to be that of a pocket gopher, we recommend viewing the University of California's website on this topic. Ground Squirrels: The key identifier for these rodents is an exposed tunnel entrance with discarded dirt surrounding the entrance of the tunnel. You can see right into a ground squirrel burrow, unlike that of moles or pocket gophers. Read more about ground squirrels at the University of California website on this topic. Voles: While voles can create damage to trees, shrubs, bulbs and perennials consuming roots, and eating bark from the base of small trees; they typically “piggy back” on the damage done by moles. Voles (often incorrectly referred to as “meadow mice”) tend to travel in mole tunnels and often are the cause of damage to roots, bulbs, and tubers within. If you suspect that you have a pest other than moles, we do NOT recommend using our product. It is not intended for use with any other pest.
When is the best time of year to trap moles? Moles can be trapped in almost any season and most weather conditions. There is no specific time when they are easier to catch. Moles dig in the same way at any time of the year, but they do tend to be more active during the spring, summer and fall. When moles are more active, they use their runs more frequently and thus have a greater exposure to a set trap.
Why do moles create tunnels and hills? Moles create tunnels for two purposes, traveling and feeding. Traveling tunnels are pathways between feeding areas and the den. Feeding areas are usually marked by clusters of hills and shallow tunnels. Their purpose is allow the mole to hunt for its main diet, worms. The mounds or "mole hills" are excess dirt that has been mined away by the mole to create these tunnels.
Can the size of the mole be determined by the size of their mole hills? No, the only indication the size of the pile will give is whether the soil is easy for moles to dig through or not. If the soil is easy to dig through, you will probably have smaller mole hills, but mole hills will be more frequent. If the soil is difficult, the mole hills will be larger and less frequent.
If moles are carnivorous, why are my plants dying? Moles often scrape away dirt from the root system of plants in search of grubs and worms. In doing this, moles scrape away the plants' source of nourishment and the plant dies. Many times, voles will also travel in mole tunnels and will eat roots and bulbs along the way.
Are moles eating my plants? Moles are almost entirely carnivorous; however, it is true that moles can indirectly kill plants. They do this in two ways: The tunnels created by moles will often be used by other small animals. Voles, in particular, will travel in these tunnels and eat away at roots and tubers. A good location for grubs and worms is among the roots of a hedge, flower, or other type of plant. The mole will scrape the dirt away from the roots in search of food, thereby removing the plants’ source of nourishment.
Do moles live with other moles? Moles generally do not get along with one another. In fact, they will often fight to the death if another mole infringes upon their territory (obviously this is not true during mating season). We have had mixed experiences on this matter. In many cases, we have found one mole doing a significant amount of damage. Upon trapping it, the activity dies down and there is no more activity. In other situations, we have caught up to 12 moles in a 10-foot square area within 3 weeks. Having researched this matter further, we agree with the observations made by Donald and Lillian Stokes in their book, Animal Tracking and Behavior 1986: "Moles are believed to remain solitary as adults and avoid contact with other moles. However, there are at least two exceptions. One occurs in the spring, when the males start to move around and leave their range in search of females. They may move about for several weeks, even after all the females in an area have mated. The other exception is that occasionally some tunnels are used by several moles; these tunnels are, in a sense, like highways. This communal use suggests that the social system of moles is more complex than we think."
Are moles nocturnal? This misconception is usually the result of people looking out their window in the morning and seeing fresh mole hills. In fact, moles are not necessarily more or less active at any time during the day or night. Current research suggests that moles sleep and work in 4-hour shifts. They are more active during quiet periods, such as early morning or late in the evening. When they feel vibrations in the ground, as created from people or pets walking, they will be more likely to cease their digging.
Are moles blind? Moles have extremely tiny eyes that are basically a thin membrane behind their snout. These "eyes" allow them only to sense light and little else.
How much do moles eat? Most lab and field tests will show that while moles do have a voracious appetite, they only eat up to 70 – 100% of their body weight each day.
Can cats or dogs catch moles? Yes, on occasion, a crafty cat or dog can catch a surfaced mole. It is very rare and typically happens to only the mole pups.
How many moles do I have in my yard? Most mole problems consist of one or two moles doing a considerable amount of damage. A good indication of how many moles you may have is to clear all the hills away with a rake. You can then determine how many areas are active concurrently by observing where the new mole hills are being created. If you have two different areas of fresh mole activity in one night, there is a possibility you have more than one mole. If you have only one area active at a time, you may have only one mole. There is no concrete way of determining exactly how many moles there are until moles are trapped and there is no more activity.
How do moles choose where they will dig? Moles will often seek new territory during the spring and early summer when the baby moles (“pups”) are searching for their own territory. As well, heavy machinery and extensive excavation (as is often the case with heavy construction), can displace moles and cause them to find a new domain.
Do moles go into houses? Moles rarely surface, and almost never travel above ground. It is then highly unusual for a mole to scurry around in a house since such a journey would be particularly perilous for an animal that is not equipped to travel on open flat surfaces. The exception would be for those homeowners with a shallow or no house foundation. In such situations, moles can be heard scratching underneath the shallow floor as they navigate in their tunnels.
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