Are you aware that February is Mole Solution Awareness Month? Well, it is. And as a pest control company, we are trying to spread the word. This fascinating mammal is well known as a garden pest, mainly because of their intricate tunnel systems. And though it is commonly believed that they are blind, this is not the case. They can see, though their eyes are tiny, and they can hear, though their ears are not visible. Moles are actually rather cute little creatures, with their little pointed, hairless snouts and large “hands” that they use for digging. In fact, they can be rather comical looking. Just search for “moles” on the internet and see for yourself.

Moles dig, but not just tunnel systems. They also create special rooms along with their tunnels. These serve as bedrooms, kitchens (where they store food), and birthing areas. The tunnels and rooms can be quite extensive and some moles will live in a series of tunnels for generations before moving on. One interesting fact about moles is that they keep their food alive but immobile by biting the heads off of earthworms and storing them for later. According to the Mammal Society, there have been as many as 470 worms found in one mole chamber.

While moles may be cute and rather interesting little creatures, they can cause a whole lot of damage if they aren’t taken care of properly and effectively.

Dangers of moles:

• Moles cause damage to trees, ornamentals, and lawn turf. If you have worked hard at making your property beautiful and spent hard-earned money on your lawn and landscape, it can be downright exasperating having to deal with these yard-destroying pests. Moles can cause chewed areas on trees, damage to plants, dead patches in your lawn, and raised tunneling and piles of dirt all over the place. If you are experiencing these kinds of damages, the best course of action would be to contact a professional pest control company.

• Moles can bite people, and they are able to carry rabies. If you come into contact with a mole that is not skittish and does not try to get away from you, it is likely that it has rabies, so it would be wise to avoid the animal and call for professional help.

• Moles can carry parasites into your yard. Fleas, ticks, mites, lice and other parasites can attach to moles and then be closer to you and your pets. Pets and rodents can then pick them up and bring them into your home.

• Moles multiply. A female mole will give birth to a litter of moles, which will leave the nest after only five or six weeks. Mole offspring are prone to leaving their home tunnel to strike out on their own; so there is potential, if you have a single mole, for that population to grow rather quickly.

While moles may be fascinating little creatures, they are not something you want taking up residence on your property. If you need help with moles, reach out to the wildlife control experts at Schendel Pest Services today.