Mole Control - Kill Mole - Mole Trapping
Common
Mole Myths
"Moles are rodents"
Moles are actually insectivores, not rodents.
They are from the same family as the anteater.
"Moles are blind"
Moles have extremely tiny eyes that are basically
a thin membrane behind their snout. These "eyes"
allow them only to sense light and little else.
"Moles are territorial and live alone"
This one is partially true. Moles generally do
not get along with one another. In fact, they
will often fight to the death if another mole
infringes upon their territory (obviously this
is not true during mating season).
We have had mixed experiences on this matter.
In many cases, we have found one mole doing a
significant amount of damage. Upon trapping it,
the activity dies down and there is no more activity.
In other situations, we have caught up to 12 moles
in a 10-foot square area within 3 weeks.
Having researched this matter further, we agree
with the observations made by Donald and Lillian
Stokes in their book, Animal Tracking and Behavior
1986:
"Moles are believed to remain solitary
as adults and avoid contact with other moles.
However, there are at least two exceptions.
One occurs in the spring, when the males start
to move around and leave their range in search
of females. They may move about for several
weeks, even after all the females in an area
have mated. The other exception is that occasionally
some tunnels are used by several moles; these
tunnels are, in a sense, like highways. This
communal use suggests that the social system
of moles is more complex than we think."
"Moles eat 2 – 3 times their body
weight per day"
This claim is greatly exaggerated. Most lab and
field tests will show that while moles do have
a voracious appetite, they only eat up to 70 –
100% of their body weight each day.
"Moles are eating my plant bulbs and roots"
Moles are almost entirely carnivorous; however,
it is true that moles can indirectly kill plants.
They do this in two ways:
- The tunnels created by moles will often be
used by other small animals. Voles, in particular,
will travel in these tunnels and eat away at
roots and tubers.
- A good location for grubs and worms is among
the roots of a hedge, flower, or other type
of plant. The mole will scrape the dirt away
from the roots in search of food, thereby removing
the plants’ source of nourishment.
"Moles are nocturnal (active only during
the night)"
This misconception is usually the result of people
looking out their window in the morning and seeing
fresh mole hills. In fact, moles are not necessarily
more or less active at any time during the day
or night. Current research suggests that moles
sleep and work in 4-hour shifts. They are more
active during quiet periods, such as early morning
or late in the evening. When they feel vibrations
in the ground, as created from people or pets
walking, they will be more likely to cease their
digging. |
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Common Myths
