Moles are small, subterranean mammals known for their extensive tunneling activities. While they play a role in the ecosystem, their presence in lawns and gardens can lead to noticeable damage. Understanding their behavior and implementing effective control measures is essential for maintaining healthy outdoor spaces.
Understanding Moles
Moles are insectivores, primarily feeding on earthworms, grubs, and other soil-dwelling insects. They are solitary creatures, spending most of their lives underground, creating intricate tunnel systems in search of food. These tunnels can extend up to 100 feet per day, disrupting the soil structure and affecting plant health.
Signs of Mole Activity
If you’ve noticed strange mounds of soil or your once-smooth lawn suddenly feels bumpy and uneven, then you might be dealing with a mole problem. These elusive creatures spend most of their time underground, making them difficult to spot directly. However, they leave behind a number of clear signs that can help homeowners identify their presence early—before damage becomes extensive.
Here are the most common signs of mole activity in a backyard:
1. Raised Surface Tunnels (Runways)
Moles create shallow tunnels just beneath the surface of the soil as they search for food. These look like raised, winding ridges snaking through your yard. If you step on these ridges, the ground may feel soft or collapse underfoot.
2. Molehills
Unlike the smaller, volcano-shaped mounds created by other animals, molehills are larger and more circular. They’re made when moles push loose dirt to the surface while digging their deeper tunnels. These piles can appear overnight and are usually found near the start of a new tunnel system.
3. Damaged Plant Roots
Though moles don’t eat plants, their tunneling can dislodge or sever roots. This damage can cause plants, flowers, or even sections of grass to wilt, yellow, or die unexpectedly—especially if they were previously healthy.
4. Uneven or Sinking Lawn
Frequent mole activity below the surface can lead to an uneven lawn. Over time, your yard may develop soft spots, collapsed areas, or “sunken” patches where tunnels have weakened the ground structure.
5. Increased Insect Activity
Since moles feed on insects like grubs and earthworms, an uptick in these soil-dwelling critters could attract moles to your yard. Conversely, a sudden drop in grub numbers might be a sign that moles have already begun feeding in the area.
6. Noise or Movement from Underground
While rare, some homeowners report hearing scratching or rustling beneath the soil, especially in quiet areas like gardens or patios near tunnels.
Impact on Lawns and Gardens
While moles might seem like harmless, solitary creatures, their underground lifestyle can wreak havoc on well-maintained lawns and carefully cultivated gardens. These small mammals are constantly digging in search of food, creating networks of tunnels and molehills that can compromise the health and appearance of your outdoor spaces.
Here are some of the most common ways moles can negatively impact your lawn and garden:
1. Turf Damage
Moles burrow just beneath the surface of the ground, creating raised ridges or runways that crisscross your lawn. These shallow tunnels disrupt the root system of your grass, causing it to brown, wilt, or die altogether. Over time, your yard can begin to look patchy, uneven, and unhealthy.
2. Unsightly Molehills
As moles dig their deeper tunnels, they push the excavated soil to the surface, creating round, volcano-shaped mounds. These molehills not only ruin the aesthetic of a manicured lawn but can also make mowing and walking more difficult. Frequent mole activity can result in dozens of mounds scattered across your property.
3. Root System Disruption
Although moles do not eat plants, their digging can disturb the roots of flowers, shrubs, and vegetables. In gardens, this can lead to stunted growth, wilting, or even the death of your favorite plants. This is particularly damaging in flower beds or vegetable gardens where root systems are shallow and delicate.
4. Erosion and Soil Instability
Extensive tunneling can weaken the soil structure, making areas of your yard more susceptible to erosion. This is especially problematic after heavy rainfall, when water may rush through mole tunnels and wash away topsoil. Over time, this can lead to uneven ground and drainage problems.
5. Indirect Pest Issues
Moles feed on soil-dwelling insects like grubs, beetles, and worms. While this can be beneficial in small doses, a large mole population may indicate an abundance of these pests, which can also harm your lawn and garden. Furthermore, mole tunnels may be used by other, more destructive pests like voles, which do feed on plant material and roots.
Benefits of Moles
While moles are often viewed as pests due to the visible damage they cause to lawns and gardens, it’s important to understand that these subterranean mammals also offer some surprising benefits to the ecosystem. In small numbers, moles can play a helpful role in maintaining healthy soil and managing insect populations. By looking at the full picture, homeowners can make more informed decisions about how to handle a mole problem.
1. Natural Pest Control
Moles feed primarily on insects and other invertebrates found in the soil. Their diet includes pests such as grubs, beetles, ants, termites, and larvae—many of which can be harmful to your plants and turf. By consuming these pests, moles help reduce infestations and prevent damage to root systems, foliage, and flower beds.
2. Soil Aeration
As moles dig through the ground in search of food, their tunneling helps to naturally aerate the soil. This process allows oxygen, water, and nutrients to reach deeper into the ground, which then can promote healthier root growth for grass and garden plants. Aerated soil is less compacted and better equipped to support plant life.
3. Nutrient Distribution
Moles bring subsoil to the surface while digging their tunnels and molehills. This can redistribute minerals and nutrients throughout the soil profile, which then benefits plant health and improves soil structure. Over time, this mixing can lead to more fertile and productive garden beds.
4. Support for Biodiversity
Because moles feed on insects and contribute to soil health, they indirectly support a more diverse and balanced ecosystem. Healthy soil encourages earthworms, microorganisms, and other beneficial species to thrive, all of which contribute to the long-term sustainability of your garden.
5. Indicator of Healthy Soil
Believe it or not, the presence of moles may actually indicate that your lawn or garden has rich, healthy soil. Moles are drawn to areas with abundant food sources—especially earthworms and insects—so their appearance could be a sign that your yard is full of organic activity.
Finding the Right Balance
While the benefits of moles are real, their tendency to overstay their welcome can lead to significant lawn and garden damage. If you’re only seeing minimal mole activity and your yard remains largely unaffected, it may be worth allowing them to stay. However, if their tunneling becomes destructive or starts to spread, professional intervention is likely needed to preserve your landscape.
At Covenant Wildlife, we focus on humane wildlife management that respects the role of each creature in the ecosystem. If moles are becoming a problem on your property, we’ll help you find a solution that balances environmental health with lawn and garden protection.
Managing Mole Populations
To protect your lawn and garden:
- Reduce food sources: Treat lawns for grubs and insects.
- Use repellents: Castor oil-based products can deter moles.
- Install barriers: Underground fences can prevent moles from entering specific areas.
- Seek professional help: If mole activity is extensive, consider consulting wildlife control experts.
Implementing an integrated pest management approach that combines these strategies can be more effective than relying on a single method.
Professional Mole Control Services
At Covenant Wildlife, we specialize in humane and effective mole control solutions. Our experienced team can assess the extent of mole activity, identify the most effective control methods, and implement a tailored plan to protect your lawn and garden. If you’re dealing with moles in your yard, then contact us today to schedule an inspection.
