Surprising to some, maybe, but moles are not rodents. They are part of a group of mammals known as insectivores. The general characteristics of the mole, and more specifically the eastern mole, are a pointed snout, very large and rounded front feet with stout claws, and a short, bare tail. They grow to approximately 5-8 inches long with short, velvety fur which is grayish in color. Because of their subterranean lifestyle, eyes and ears are small and concealed by fur. Moles feed primarily on earthworms, ants, beetle grubs, and other arthropods living in the ground. A small portion of their diet does consist of various seed and vegetable matter, but they are not known to eat bulbs or roots of gardening plants.

As those who have experienced moles first-hand know, these pests cause havoc with their burrowing. Moles are active throughout the year. They create elaborate underground tunnels called runways which run at shallow and deep levels. The subsurface runways are where mounds and ridges show above ground. These are typically used for feeding and can be produced at a rate of 100 ft. per day. The deep runways are located up to a foot below the surface. These are main thoroughfares for the mole as it travels to and from the surface. The number of mounds or surface ridges is no indication of the number of moles within a specific plot of land. Typically, one acre of land will support a maximum of three moles at one time. If the property is adjacent to fields or forested land, more moles may be present and transiting your property.

There are numerous methods for attempting to control moles. The most effective is trapping when done properly over the tunnels. Moles abandon tunnels regularly so it can be difficult to determine active tunnels sometimes. The two most common traps are the harpoon and scissor-jaw. The harpoon trap sits on the surface of a ridge. The scissor-jaw trap is inserted into tunnels. Other control methods are insecticides (to kill the moles’ food), fumigation of tunnels, and baits.