About Moles and useful facts.
Much mystery surrounds moles. Because these fascinating and hard working little creatures lead their existence below ground, most people know little about their way of life.
Often, the first anybody is aware of a mole present is because of their notorious mole hills. On a well cared for lawn it can induce panic, often followed by manic attempts to rid the garden of the little pest. Some people become so obsessed that they will try every old wives tale (and there are many) to remove the mole. If the first thing you have done in the morning is look out of the window to inspect the lawn for new mole hills you will know what I mean.
Most people eventually seek the help of a professional. And usually wish they had done so a long time ago!! I meet many wonderful and often very grateful people whilst trapping for moles. One thing they almost all have in common is a barrage of questions about the little creatures ruining their garden. Some of the more common questions are answered in FAQ’s below.
FAQ's
What are mole hills for?
To dig a tunnel the mole needs to remove the soil from beneath ground. To do this he will push the displaced soil up vertical tunnels to ground level and deposit the soil. This is repeated again and again and a mole hill is formed. As the tunnel expands he will dig up to ground again and another mole hill is formed.
Why do they dig tunnels?
Moles create a tunnel network to live and feed in.
What do they eat?
It finds food by running along its tunnels and eating any earthworms, insects and molluscs which have fallen from the walls. If there is a plentiful supply of food, moles will bite the heads off worms and store them for consumption later.
Moles are blind aren’t they?
Contrary to popular belief moles are not totally blind. Their eyes are small and completely hidden in their fur to give the appearance of being blind but it can still differentiate between light and dark.
How big are they?
Many people are surprised just how small moles are. Typically 5.5 to 6 inches and around 100g. Because of the extent of the damage they can create I have heard people say they expected something the size of a badger!!
Are they solitary?
Moles are mostly solitary and will defend their own territories aggressively. They will however share the main runs under hedges and fences and their territories will often overlap.
How often do they breed?
Moles breed once a year around March to May and produce a litter of 2-7 but usually 3-4. The young are fully mature and ready to leave the nest at about 35 days. They travel overland searching for territories of their own.
Do moles hibernate?
Moles do not hibernate but work throughout the year.
Are moles nocturnal?
Moles work on a sleeping/working pattern of approx 4 hours. I.e. 4 hours working/feeding followed by 4 hours rest.
How old do they live?
Moles live on average 2 to 5 years.