Mole Facts

UNIVERSITY LINKS

We have included these links so that you can share the following information with your friends, family, and neighbors with confidence.

Ohio State University http://ohioline.osu.edu/w-fact/0011.html
University of Minnesota http://www1.umn.edu type in moles.

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APPEARANCE

There are seven species of moles in North America. We have two in Minnesota, the star nosed and the eastern mole. In our area we will be dealing with the eastern mole. Their fur is short, silky, and silvery-gray to grayish-brown. The tiny, degenerate eyes are concealed in the fur and are covered by fused eyelids. External ears are absent. An adult’s total length is between 5 to 8 in. with a weight of 3 1/5 to 5 oz.

FAQs ABOUT MOLES

WHEN DO THEY BREED? The eastern mole breeds in early spring and has an average of 3 to 4 young once a year. Young moles stand less than a 50% chance of surviving long enough to reproduce.
CAN ONE MOLE DO ALL THIS DAMAGE? Yes. The mole can exert a lateral digging force of up to 32 times their body weight. It can dig surface tunnels at approximately 18 feet an hour. Over the course of an 8-hour period, a mole can produce 144 feet of tunnel. This can add up to hundreds of yards of earth during its short three-year life span.
WHAT KIND OF DIRT DO THEY LIKE? Moles are found in organic soils to hardpan clay.
DOES ANYTHING EAT MOLES? Due to their subterranean habits and musky odor, few animals prey on the mole.
WHEN ARE MOLES ACTIVE? They are active both day and night. And take short rest periods.
DO MOLES HIBERNATE? No. They are active year around.
WHAT DO MOLES EAT? The moles primary food source is the earthworm. Yes, even in sand, although, they will not pass up a nice fat grub or other insect. A mole will consume 45 to 50 pounds of worms and other insects each year. This can be 85% to 100% of their body weight each day.
ARE THE MOLES EATING MY PLANTS? No. However they are destroying the roots of these plants with their large front feet while they are digging for worms and other insects in and around the roots.
WILL MOLES HARM MY LANDSCAPING? Yes, by under mining the earth below and allowing rain run off to create even more damage through wash outs, and settling.
DO CASTOR OIL OR OTHER REMEDIES I HAVE HEARD OF WORK? To put it simply, no. Mole activity may move from one part of the yard to another. This movement is affected by climate and ground moisture, not by sprays or gimmicks. Because the mole's primary food source is the earthworm, moisture plays a key role in their movements. This is why you will see the mole activity rotate to different areas of the yard or even temporarily leave all together to hunt food in another part of their territory. They then show up when you least expect it. This behavior is at the root of most of the misconceptions that make home remedies, pesticides and poisons appear credible. You may believe that every rumor, home remedy or control method is worth trying. They are not. Here are just a few things our customers have already tried:

NOTE: Poisons will work on pocket gophers, but we have found that to achieve a complete clearing you will need to use a trapping plan.

WHY SHOULD I DO ANYTHING ABOUT MY MOLES? AREN’T THEY GOING TO JUST COME RIGHT BACK?  Not necessarily. Moles reproduce at a relatively slow rate, affording many of our customers a season or more without having a recurrence. Weather and the location of outlying territories will affect your chances of a recurrence. Just remember that every property is uniquely different.

THE ONLY WAY TO EFFECTIVELY CONTROL MOLES IS TO TRAP AND PHYSICALLY REMOVE THEM! Successful trapping requires time, patience, knowledge of mole habits and a thorough knowledge of the trapping equipment used.