Mole

Moles are rarely seen as these blackish-brown mammals live mostly underground. They dig out a system of tunnels and chambers, and dispose of the excavated soil by throwing up molehills. Apart from the spring breeding season, moles lead largely solitary lives, so all the activity in a small garden could be due to a single animal. Moles feed on earthworms and other soil-dwelling creatures which fall into their tunnels. Moles constantly patrol their tunnels looking for these trapped invertebrates. Moles high metabolic rate means they have to eat at least every four hours. We do not advise live traps for moles because of their need to eat very frequently.

How to Prevent Entry

There are plenty of so-called mole deterrents on the market but I have not heard of any that really work over the long-term.

Physically there is nothing available to prevent moles accessing your land so you either work around and tolerate your existing mole population or trap any moles as they re-invade your land.

Given that a resident mole will never allow another mole into its territory, you could perhaps live with the mole you already have. By far the majority of mole hill damage will be done as the mole moves in and excavates it's network of tunnels. If you collect these excavations and use them for a garden top dressing or as part of a potting compost the excavations will gradually reduce in numbers as the mole gat the network established. There will always be the odd excavation but they should be managable.

If you really don't want to tolerate the mole, then see our section on control.