• Moles are insectivores.  They are not rodents.  They will consume grubs and insects, but get the vast majority of their dietary needs from earthworms.
• Moles have incredibly high metabolisms.  This means they have an insatiable appetite and are always on the lookout for food.  In fact, they consume 80-100% of their body weight every day.
• Moles use/create tunnel systems as the means to locate food.  They can move rapidly through existing tunnel systems, but can also create up to 100 feet of new tunnels per day—causing extensive lawn and landscape damage.
• Moles do not hibernate and are active year-round.
• Moles are antisocial and extremely territorial with regards to their own tunnel systems.  The one exception is for reproduction.  Moles typically breed in late winter/early spring.  After the young are weaned—7-12 weeks after breeding—you are likely to see the highest levels of activity.  This is in late spring.
• Moles live their lives underground, almost never coming to the surface.  Expected life span for a mole is approximately 2-3 years.
• Moles will reoccupy a vacant tunnel system if food is abundant. 

 

TYPES OF TUNNEL SYSTEMS

 Primary Run

Generally long and relatively straight tunnels that can be frequented by a mole as many as three times per day

 Exploratory Run

Generally spiderweb-like in shape, and are often abandoned after digging   These are used to find new feeding areas.

 Deep Tunnels

Found up to three feet underground.  They can also comprise a mole’s living areas, food storage and latrine areas.