Moles and Mole Control - Part 7 of 11 - Mole Damage

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The mole pushes soil it expels from the burrow out onto the surface vertically through its tunnel: in doing so the atypical mole mound shape that resembles a volcano is formed. The damage the mole causes to plant life is in most cases incidental and unintentional as most moles are not vegetarians. The mole can cause a great deal of inadvertent damage to plant life while surface foraging because of its large home range. The ridge caused by the mole in its surface tunneling can often become extremely noticeable in a lawn when the grass raised by the ridge dies and leaves what appears to be a brown stripe or collection of stripes.

The mole also has been known to undermine sections of foundation or wall in the construction of its nesting chamber. These types of voids can cause foundation fractures and wall failure.

Acknowledgment:

• Henderson, F. Robert., 1994. Moles: Prevention and control of wildlife damage. Extension Specialist — Animal Damage Control. Kansas State University
  
  
• University of Michigan Museum of Zoology - Animal Diversity Web
  

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Moles and Mole Control - Part 6 of 11 - Mole Facts

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• The mole is often confused with the gopher and the vole due to habitat overlap and similar eating habits — Control methods differ for these three species; many people misidentify their target and often use improper techniques in their abatement efforts.
  
• Moles are not rodents, they are insectivores, and related to shrews and bats.
  
• Moles do not hibernate.
  
• Mole mounds are shaped like a volcano and can reach heights of up to two feet tall.
  
• Moles can dig up to 18 feet of surface tunnels per hour.
  
• Moles youngsters have less than a 50% chance of surviving long enough to reproduce.
  
• Moles can travel through their existing tunnels at 80 feet/minute.
  
• The female mole will have its litter of 2 to 7 young in March or early April
  
• The hairy-tailed mole will leave its burrow and travel on the surface at night in search of food.
  
• The "tentacles" on the nose of the star-nosed mole might be the most sensitive sensory organ of any mammal. The star-nosed mole uses these "tentacles" to constantly monitor its surroundings.
  
• The star-nosed mole is extremely active throughout the winter. It has been known to form tunnels through snow and even swim under the ice of frozen ponds.
  
• The shrew mole only sleeps 8 minutes at a time and will stay awake for a maximum of 18 minutes before falling asleep again.
  
• The Shrew mole is very social and can often be found traveling in a group of up to 11 others.
  
• When a shrew mole is scared it will hide for up to a minute, then re-emerge and continue to search for food.
  

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Moles and Mole Control - Part 5 of 11 - What Moles Eat

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The only mole that is believed to eat underground plant matter is the Townsend’s mole; all other types are believed to be strict insectivores. Any damage done to plant life would most likely be incidental rather than deliberate or intentional: any plants or bulbs “unseated” during the travel of the mole appear to have been done so by accident. Visitors to the mole burrow are typically the cause of damage to plant life found in the proximity of the mole domain. These visitors may include: voles, mice, gophers, and shrews, among many others.

The mole will mainly eat insects, grubs, and worms found in its tunnels or while foraging and typically will consume up 1.5 times its bodyweight each day (the shrew mole may consume this same amount of food in 12 hours and can starve to death rapidly). This large amount of energy is required for the mole to sustain itself in its rigorous digging in search of more food or a mate. Because of these large food requirements, the density of moles per acre is far fewer than that of other burrowing animals (the male mole may cover up to 20 times the area the male gopher may cover).

Acknowledgment:

• Henderson, F. Robert., 1994. Moles: Prevention and control of wildlife damage. Extension Specialist — Animal Damage Control. Kansas State University
  
  
• University of Michigan Museum of Zoology - Animal Diversity Web
  

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Moles and Mole Control - Part 4 of 11 - Where Moles Live

This article may be viewed in its entirety on our website Vole control, Mole control, Gopher control: Crittergetteronline Home. Select your desired link from the "Critter Confused" navigation box on the left.

Moles exist in a wide range of living conditions: they are found in geographical elevations ranging from lowland costal areas, to mountains in excess of 8,200 feet amidst a wide array of soil types and climate conditions.

The home range of the average male mole is extremely large due to the great amount of food a mole must consume to survive. As a result the mole must create a vast labyrinth of feeding tunnels covering a large area, many of which will be very shallow, create a ridge pattern on the surface, and may never be used again. Occasionally the mole will backfill these tunnels with soil brought up from below rather than pushing this soil all the way to the surface. Some species specifics are as follows:

• Eastern mole — Prefers moist, sandy soil conditions; not typically found in areas where the soil may have a large rock or gravel content. The eastern mole habitually creates two types of tunnels: the main burrow will be deep, containing burrows, and tunnels leading to feeding areas, and feeding tunnels that are shallow, very extensive, and may never be used again. The nesting chamber is usually filled with grasses and leaves and often will be found under tree roots, buildings, or a boulder. The eastern mole has been found to share its tunnels with other eastern moles.
  
• Hairy-tailed mole — Prefers light, well-drained soil. The hairy-tailed mole tends to be most active creating tunnels and mounds during the day; however, in its further search for food, it will leave its burrow and travel on the surface at night. These moles live solitarily during the winter, and the female will bear her young solitarily as well; but come spring, male hairy-tailed moles will socialize with other males and once the female bears her young, they will all share the same burrow.
  
• Star-nosed mole — Prefers moist soil with poor drainage, often habituating marshes, peat lands, and the banks of streams, lakes, and ponds. The star-nosed mole rarely digs tunnels shallow enough to be noticeable. Although most moles are prolific swimmers, only the star-nosed mole will venture into the water in search of food. It will construct its nest above the waters surface under some sort of protective object; however, the nest opening as well as many others of the star-nosed mole tunnels will open underwater. The star-nosed mole is also a social mole; often it can be found sharing its burrow with a number of its children and relatives. These moles will also use the surface for additional foraging.
  
• Broad-footed mole — Prefers moist soil. The broad-footed mole is active year round with especially vigorous behavior after the rain. Its nest will be constructed of leaves and grasses and is usually found greater than 1 foot deep into the ground. The broad-footed mole is extremely territorial; it will fiercely defend and patrol its burrow system and reside solitarily except when mating.
  
• Townsend’s mole — Prefers deep loamy soils found in moist lowland areas. The Townsend’s mole, like the eastern mole, usually creates two types of tunnels: the main burrow will be deep, containing burrows, and tunnels leading to feeding areas, and feeding tunnels that are shallow, very extensive, and may never be used again. The Townsend’s mole builds the largest nesting cavity of any North American mole. The female Townsend’s mole will construct the cavity in an elevated, protected area with many exit tunnels and line it with dry vegetation that she will change often. Often, this nesting chamber can be found by watching for a particularly large mound or several smaller mounds grouped closely together. These moles will also use the surface for additional foraging and travel.
  
• Coast mole — Prefers light, moist soil, but can also be found in sand or gravel. The coast mole is often confused with the Townsend’s mole due to their nearly identical living behavior and overlapping habitat. The nesting chamber of the coast mole is less elaborate as that of the Townsend’s mole, and typically found lined with coarse grass. The coast mole is almost never found on the surface.
  
• Shrew mole — Prefers light, easy to dig soil, containing a large amount of plant matter. The shrew mole, like many other moles, creates two types of tunnels: the primary, for travel and forage, being very shallow, often directly below loose leaves and brush. Secondary tunnels are less frequent, less that 12-inches in depth, and are used for sleeping. The shrew mole usually does not create "mole mounds" and its tunnel entrances are typically open. The female shrew mole builds its nest above ground; these nests can often be found in the low branches of shrubs.
  

Acknowledgment:

• Henderson, F. Robert., 1994. Moles: Prevention and control of wildlife damage. Extension Specialist — Animal Damage Control. Kansas State University
  
  
• University of Michigan Museum of Zoology - Animal Diversity Web
  

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Moles and Mole Control - Part 3 of 11 - Mole Geography

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• Eastern mole — found from southeastern Wyoming, South Dakota, and central Texas east to Michigan, Massachusetts, and New England, south to the tip of Florida, and north to Ontario.
  
• Hairy-tailed mole — found in the northeastern United States and southeastern Canada.
  
• Star-nosed mole — also found in the northeastern United States and southeastern Canada.
  
• Broad-footed mole — resides in southern Oregon and the entire coastal region of California except the Baja peninsula.
  
• Townsend’s mole — found in the furthest northwest corner on the United States and southwest Canada.
  
• Coast mole — also found in the furthest northwest corner on the United States and southwest Canada.
  
• Shrew mole — another species found on the west coast from Santa Cruz county (California) to southern British Columbia.
  

Acknowledgment:

• Henderson, F. Robert., 1994. Moles: Prevention and control of wildlife damage. Extension Specialist — Animal Damage Control. Kansas State University
  
  
• University of Michigan Museum of Zoology - Animal Diversity Web
  

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Moles and Mole Control - Part 2 of 11 - ID your Mole

This article may be viewed in its entirety on our website Vole control, Mole control, Gopher control: Crittergetteronline Home. Select your desired link from the "Critter Confused" navigation box on the left.

The average mole is about the size of a chipmunk, the exception being the shrew mole that is approximately the size of a small mouse. They are found to weigh anywhere from ¼ ounce to 6 ounces. The mole has very small eyes and ears, both of which are hidden in its fur and have limited sensitivity. It is believed the mole can detect the presence or lack of light but that it cannot see. It is also believed that most moles, except the Star-nosed mole that has excellent hearing, may only be able to detect vibrations with its undeveloped ears. As a result of these two sensory "blindness’s", the average mole has highly developed senses of smell and touch. The forefeet of the mole are proportionally very large to the rest of the body; its palms are typically wider than they are long with webbed digits tipped with claws. The hind feet of the mole are small, narrow, and clawed.

North America is home to seven species of mole:

• Eastern mole, Scalopus aquaticus, is the most common American mole. It has thick fur that can vary from silver to black to copper in its coloring and has a short, hairless, rounded tail. The eastern mole will grow to between 4.5-inches and 6.5-inches long and have an average weight of approximately 2.6 ounces.
  
• Hairy-tailed mole, Parascalops breweri, has thick, gray-black to black fur, a long red-tipped snout, and a thick fleshy tail. The hairy-tailed mole does not have webbed toes. It will grow to between 5-inches and 7-inches long and have an average weight of approximately 2.2 ounces.
  
• Star-nosed mole, Condylura cristata, has been so named due to the short, fleshy, highly sensitive tentacles that extend from its hairless nose. This mole has short, coarse, dark brown to black fur and a short tail that will enlarge 3 to 4 times its normal size in the winter. The star-nosed mole will grow to between 6.75-inches and 8-inches long and weight between 1.25 ounces and 2.75 ounces.
  
• Broad-footed mole, Scapanus latimanus. The broad-footed mole is covered from tip of nose to tip of tail with dark brown to silver-gray fur. It will grow to between 5.5-inches and 7.75-inches long and have an average weight of approximately 1.5 ounces.
  
• Townsend’s mole, Scapanus townsendii, the largest mole in North America, is found with short, purple-gray to black fur that will typically have a metallic sheen. The Townsend’s mole will grow to between 7-inches and 9.25-inches long and have an average weight of approximately 4.5 ounces.
  
• Coast mole, Scapanus orarius, is found with soft dark gray fur and a nearly bald tail. The coast mole will grow to between 5.5-inches and 7.5-inches long and weight between 2 ounces and 3.25 ounces.
  
• Shrew mole, Neurotrichus gibbsii, is found with black or blue-black fur and has a wide tail that is typically half the length of the body. The shrew mole is the smallest of the North American genera; it will grow to between 3-inches and 5-inches long and weight between .25 ounces and .5 ounces.
  

The locations where these particular moles live can be found on our Mole Geography page.

Acknowledgment:

• Henderson, F. Robert., 1994. Moles: Prevention and control of wildlife damage. Extension Specialist — Animal Damage Control. Kansas State University
  
  
• University of Michigan Museum of Zoology - Animal Diversity Web
  

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Moles and Mole Control - Part 1 of 11 - The Mole - This series is a repost.... we have recieved lots of questions

This article may be viewed in its entirety on our website Vole control, Mole control, Gopher control: Crittergetteronline Home. Select your desired link from the "Critter Confused" navigation box on the left.

The mole is often confused with the gopher and the vole due to habitat overlap and similar eating habits - Control methods differ for these three species; many people misidentify their target and often use improper techniques in their abatement efforts.

The home range of a single mole is very large in comparison to other burrowing animals such as the gopher or the vole because it must cover a great amount of territory to meet its food requirements of up to 1.5 times its body weight per day. This large food requirement results in far fewer moles per acre than gophers or voles (the male mole may cover up to 20 times the area the male gopher may cover) and result in the creation of a vast labyrinth of feeding tunnels covering a large area, many of which will be very shallow, and create a ridge pattern on the surface. The mounds created by the mole from the creation of these tunnels are typically shaped like a volcano and can reach heights of up to two feet tall.

Moles are insectivores and most damage done by them to plant life is typically incidental rather than intentional (the exception being the Townsend’s mole, which is known to eat plants as well).

Like gophers and voles, moles do not hibernate, and are active throughout the day.

Acknowledgment:

• Henderson, F. Robert., 1994. Moles: Prevention and control of wildlife damage. Extension Specialist — Animal Damage Control. Kansas State University
  
  
• University of Michigan Museum of Zoology - Animal Diversity Web
  

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