Wasps	Rats	Mice	Moles	Cluster Flies	Pigeons

Moles - Fact File

Size: About 11-18cm from nose to tail. Weight around 100 grammes.
Markings: Black smooth velvety hair over most of the body. No visual differences of sexes.
Location: Widespread throughout Britain, but absent from Ireland.
Detection: Sightings of live animals, mole hills, runs/tunnels. Subsidence.

Moles are abundant throughout Britain except for Ireland, and they spend the majority of their lives below ground Their fore limbs are well-adapted for burrowing in earth, being shovel shaped and turned outwards to facilitate earth removal. Moles have poor eyesight their eyes being greatly reduced in size. They are about 15cm in length, have a shiny black short coat with a velvety appearance and a short thin tail.

Biology:

Moles breed from February to June with only one litter of young being the norm. The gestation period is about 4 weeks and the young are born pink skinned, blind and wholly dependent on their mother. The average litter size is 4 but anything from 2 to 7 are born in a specially constructed extra large mound of earth called a "fortress".

The young mature quickly and leave the nest after about 5 weeks. Moles do not hibernate and are extremely active creating and extending a network of tunnels below ground. These tunnels are regularly patrolled in search of earthworms, their main food but insect larvae and slugs also occasionally form part of their diet.

Treatment:

Specialised training on mole control methods should be sought, both to comply with the law and to get the best results from your chosen treatment.

1. Exclusion. This is virtually impossible, but deep burial of wire fencing (> 1 metre) will dissuade some individuals.

2. Spring Traps. Locate the runs using a 'mole-pole' - a stick such a sharpened broom handle that can be pushed into the ground between the mole hills until it 'gives' slightly. Remove a portion of sod and earth to reveal the run. Two types of trap are used, the Scissors or the Duffus, or Barrel trap. Both require skilful setting in the mole run itself.

Removal of 'human' smells by rubbing traps and hands in soil, and exclusion of light into the tunnel from around the set trap are essential. Carefully mark the set traps and check regularly. A very good technique in practiced hands.

Cross Pest Control Ltd do not use or endorse any form of gas or poison treatments to control moles. We as a company prefer and endorse the use of the traditional method of mole-trapping by use of the scissor trap or similar trap fit for purpose for the humane control of moles.

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