There are many pests that can invade your yard and damage your landscaping and lawn, but none do the job as perfectly as the mole.
There are many pests that can invade your yard and damage your landscaping and lawn, but none do the job as perfectly as the mole. Moles are insectivores, choosing to feed on mostly insects. They are commonly confused with rodents like mice and voles. Moles are generally around 6-8 inches long; they have soft brown to dark gray fur and long snouts that protrude about an inch. The most distinguishing feature of moles, however, is their oversized front feet that have paddle-shaped hands and large, sharp claws.
You are not likely to actually see moles since they spend most of their time underground only rarely making an above-ground appearance, but you are very likely going to notice the damages they leave in their wake. Annuals, lawns, and gardens are most often the victim of a mole infestation; but these are not their targets.
What Do Moles Eat?:
The damages done are not because moles are feeding on the grass and plants, but rather mole damages occur as they dig and forage for food. Their favorite meal includes earthworms, grubs, snails, spiders, small animals, and other insects. Because moles require a lot of food for energy, they eat more than their one-pound body weight in food each day. Moles will also consume around 60%-100% of their body weight in earthworms, grubs and insects every single day.
The most likely sign that you will notice when moles have infested are the mole mounds they create while tunneling under your lawn or garden to create nesting burrows and pathways to lead them to food sources. The mounds are only a few inches high, but this is a poor indicator of the actual damage below the surface. Even though the tunnels are created beneath the ground, over time, they will become visible above ground appearing as raised lines in your lawn. The tunnels that they use for feeding are often zigzagging and more shallow than the ones they dig to travel through. These tunnels damage the roots of the grass and plants above which eventually causes them to die. Feeding tunnels are used until the food source in that tunnel is exhausted, and then new tunnels will be created. The damages often become severe in a short amount of time.
If you are noticing the signs that moles leave behind, don’t wait for damages to become severe before you take a stand. Contact the pest professionals here at Rottler Pest & Lawn Solutions at the very first sign. Our wildlife control experts have the tools, technology, and training to humanely deal with a mole infestation, giving you back the control over your lawn and your garden. To learn more about our mole control service or any of our other industry-leading pest control solutions for your home or business, contact us today.
