Moles leave typical mounds of earth on the lawn, which are often perceived as annoying. Ignorant hobby gardeners try everything they can to get rid of the unwanted guest. But not every method is permissible and control is often unnecessary.

As cute as he is, a mole is very unwelcome in the garden

Table of Contents

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  1. the essentials in brief
  2. fight mole
  3. Anti-mole remedy
  4. disturb mole
  5. Vole or mole?
  6. Mole in the garden
  7. useful information
  8. Characteristics
  9. Mole as a Beneficial
  10. mole found
  11. frequently asked Questions

    12. the essentials in brief

    • It is forbidden to kill or catch the mole. Only defamation is allowed.
    • Intensely smelling home remedies or noise pollution have proven to be effective. Regularity is especially important.
    • Moles settle in gardens that offer healthy and species-rich soil. They can be distinguished from voles by their construction.
    • The mammals feed exclusively on insects and act as pest controllers and soil aerators. They are not plant pests.

    Things worth knowing about mole control

    Those who want to get rid of the mole should not use arbitrary methods. The mammal is under protection. It is not absolutely necessary to drive the animal out of the garden. Moles provide exciting nature experiences and take on useful functions.

    Warning: Killing moles is forbidden

    Since 1986, the mole has been one of the specially protected species listed in Appendix 1 of the Federal Species Protection Ordinance. According to the Federal Nature Conservation Act, it is forbidden to injure or kill these specially protected species. Depending on the federal state, fines of different amounts can be imposed for violations of the law. The penalties range from 10,000 euros in Saarland to 65,000 euros in Brandenburg.

    A mole must not be killed!

    May I catch the mole?

    Catching the mammals is also prohibited under penalty of punishment. In special cases, imprisonment can be imposed or the fines can be increased. The nature of the act, whether the moles were harmed intentionally or accidentally, and whether the methods are carried out regularly determine the punishment. Habitual actions to control mammals can result in criminal prosecution. The protection provided by the Federal Nature Conservation Act also applies to young moles. Poisoning is equated with killing and is also forbidden.

    • Use of a live trap requires a special permit
    • Shot trap kills with gas pressure or mechanical shock
    • Poisonous baits are prohibited, as is the introduction of toxic gases into the burrow

    What to do against the mole?

    If you want to fight the mole, you need a special permit from the responsible environmental authority. Instead, you should try to drive the mole away. There are various home remedies that disrupt the animals' sense of smell and hearing. In order for the funds to prove effective, a high degree of meticulousness is necessary. Odorous substances in the heaps are usually not enough to effectively drive away the garden dwellers. The tunnel systems into which they withdraw when disturbed can be several hundred meters long.

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    home remedies

    Introduced directly into the burrows, some natural remedies will drive the mole out of its subterranean burrows. This method can work if the mole is not yet firmly established in the garden and is a casual guest. The more passageways you uncover and fill with the substances, the higher the chances of an effective expulsion.

    product manufacturing application
    vinegar highly concentrated vinegar essence soak old cloths cram into opened mounds and passages
    garlic stale brew Pour the water over the crushed garlic and leave to infuse Pour liquid down the aisles several times
    elder leaves fermented manure Boil the leaves and let the brew ferment Pour the broth regularly into the aisles
    Thuja fresh branches crush branches sprinkle in the open aisles
    beverages Wine and beer leftovers mix cocktail Pour the brew into the burrow more often

    Scare off the mole with butyric acid?

    Butyric acid is advertised in many online stores as an effective means of repelling moles. The products are not always approved, which is why you should exercise caution. Old rags are soaked in the highly concentrated acid and then stuffed into the entrances and exits of the tunnel system. The mole is sensitive to the smell and looks for alternatives. Despite this measure, the mammal finds good places to retreat, especially in large gardens, so that the mounds appear elsewhere.

    Properties of butyric acid:

    • liquid and colorless at room temperature
    • strong unpleasant odor that is perceived in a highly concentrated form by humans and animals
    • Flavor reminiscent of vomit and rancid butter
    • has an irritating effect on the eyes, skin and respiratory tract
    • does not dissolve in the ground

    disturb mole

    Moles don't like noise at all

    Due to its special adaptations, the mole is very sensitive to disturbances. He can sense sounds, vibrations, and smells, which you can use to scare. All methods should be carried out regularly but carefully so that you do not harm the animal.

    noise pollution

    Loud noises scare off the mole. It can help if you drive wooden stakes or metal sticks into the mounds and tap them with a hammer as often as possible. Pay attention to your neighbors, because such knocking attacks can quickly become a noise nuisance.

    Noisy decorative wind turbines in continuous operation can effectively scare away the mole. If the mammal has developed an extensive duct system, you must carry out the measure over a large area. Regular lawn mowing has proven itself as an alternative. The louder the lawnmower, the more disturbed the sensitive animals.

    ventilate aisles

    As soon as new mounds of earth appear, you should trample them flat. Uncover as many passages as possible, because the mammal does not like that either. Moles are considered to be lazy creatures who will retreat when they have to constantly re-open or close their burrows. A children's party in the garden results in heavy trampling, stomping and jumping, which causes extensive damage to the gait system.

    lock out

    The most effective method is to lay a floor mat including a barrier fence. This should go at least 50 centimeters deep into the ground and be as close-knit as possible so that no moles can get through. The floor mat is laid at the same depth across the board. The mole can dig tunnels underneath. However, he no longer comes into the upper layers of soil to pile up the earth into hills.

    Vole or mole?

    Unlike moles, voles are a threat to crop yields. This has to do with their diet. If you compare pictures of voles and moles, you can tell the species apart at first glance. It becomes more difficult if you want to identify the cause of an extensive tunnel system in your garden soil. Look at both the mounds and the passages below.

    mole vole
    food insectivore herbivores
    offspring three to four young once or twice a year four times a year three to five young
    mound free from plant residues soil interspersed with roots and leaves
    tunnel system in deeper soil layers flat under the turf
    shape of the pile of earth rounded, at regular intervals elongated and flat, irregularly spaced

    tips

    Place a carrot in the aisles. If it is eaten, there is a high probability that it is a vole.

    Why does the mole appear in the garden?

    Moles feel comfortable where they find suitable living conditions. If the mammals appear again and again in your garden, this indicates a particularly nutrient-rich soil. The animals are a sign of a healthy habitat in which a natural cycle has been established.

    food

    Moles love grubs

    Moles are predominantly insectivores. They burrow through the soil and roam the subterranean tunnel systems in search of food. Depending on the season and soil conditions, the mammals stay in different soil zones. Occasionally they also come to the surface of the earth to track down insects there. If the mole has settled in your garden, this is a sign of a rich flora of small animals in the soil.

    What moles eat:

    • grubs and mosquito larvae
    • ringworms and earthworms
    • Insects, snails and beetles

    Interesting facts about the mole

    Living underground requires special adaptations. With its physique, the mole is ideally suited to the soil habitat. It spends almost its entire life in the dark because here it and its offspring are protected from predators and weather conditions. Although moles are not blind, they have other, more developed organs of perception.

    Does the mole hibernate?

    Mammals do not hibernate. If they live in cooler regions, they burrow into deeper layers of soil during the cold season. They lay underground food stores, which they feed on in winter. The European mole stores earthworms in its burrow. He bites off the front body segments of the worms. This prevents the invertebrates from escaping but still keeps them alive.

    specializations

    Moles have very strong arm muscles and specialized digging shovels

    Moles have highly specialized forelimbs that are modified into digging tools. Her hands are turned outwards and developed in a shovel shape. They have five fingers with strong claws. Mammals dig through the ground by twisting their upper arms. Moles have very well developed arm muscles. They have a sickle-shaped bone on the forehand, which makes digging even easier for the animals.

    • eyes: are used to perceive light and dark contrasts
    • ears: covered by skin flaps
    • snout: long and pointed with numerous vibrissae to sense earth tremors
    • stature: cylindrical
    • fur: short and woolly without line, for unhindered forward and backward movement

    reproduction

    Between March and April, moles mate below or above the ground. It is not uncommon for the males to have to fight for the right to mate. The female gives birth to her offspring after a four-week gestation period in the underground nest.

    This is what the nests look like:

    • Nest chamber is below the feeding alleys
    • padded with grass and foliage
    • when the groundwater level is high, nests lie below the turf
    • recognizable by the strikingly large hills, the so-called castles

    A baby mole is naked after birth and is 35 to 44 millimeters long. The mother nurses her for the next four to six weeks. After about two months, the young animals end their nestling period. It takes about a year for the animals to become sexually mature.

    hunting techniques

    In order to get food, the mole uses its perception. The tunnel system is reminiscent of a widely ramified spider's web. The animal lays in wait in its cauldron in order to be able to perceive noises and vibrations from all directions. As soon as the mole sees insects, earthworms or larvae, it dashes to the source of the noise.

    During its hunting excursions, the tunnel walls are smoothed out by the dense fur. This makes it harder for prey that accidentally got into the tunnel to escape. At night, depending on the availability of food, the mole goes on patrol.

    Characteristics

    The European mole, which has the scientific name Talpa europaea, belongs to the mole family and is subdivided into the order Insectivores. In Central Europe he is the only representative of his family.

    skeleton

    Moles have a very pointed skull

    The cylindrical body of the mole reaches a size between ten and seventeen centimetres. They have a tail that is 2 to 4.5 centimeters long. The skull is pointed and sits on a short neck. Striking are the arms, which are far in front of the chest and right next to the head. They are very short and fully built into the contour of the body. The elbow joint is located in the shoulder area. Between the upper arm and collarbone, moles have a joint-like connection that is unique among mammals.

    denture

    Moles have a full set of 44 teeth. There are three incisors, one canine, four premolars and three molars on each half of the jaw. The teeth show an adaptation to the carnal diet of moles. They have pointed humps and wear sharp-edged melting ridges. The enamel ridges are arranged in a W-shape on the back molars.

    habitat

    The European mole prefers soils in meadows and forests that are not too dry. Mammals can also be found in cultivated land. They occur in the Alps up to an altitude of 2,400 meters. The species inhabits temperate regions in Central and Eastern Europe. She avoids both cool and Mediterranean climates.

    enemies

    The mammal has a number of natural predators, most of which are raptors. Barn owls, common buzzards, tawny owls and kestrel prey on moles during their above-ground mating and foraging activities. Foxes, martens and ermines are also predators. Occasionally, moles are killed by dogs and cats that let out their hunting instincts.

    digression

    Man as the greatest enemy

    The mole can protect itself well against predators living above ground by retreating into its subterranean tunnel system. He is helpless against human intervention. On sports fields and golf courses, the surfaces are equipped with floor mats so that the mole is repelled. Human predations also ensure a high mortality rate in early years. But floods and permanent ground frost also cause problems for the mammal.

    Mole as a Beneficial

    Molehills are great soil!

    Moles perform important tasks in the soil. The heaped mounds of earth look ugly to many hobby gardeners, but they are useful in the garden. You can carefully remove the substrate and mix it with compost and sand. This soil is ideal for flower boxes (€16.99) and planters.

    pest repellent

    The mole has an active metabolism, which is why it needs to consume large amounts of food. Every day, the animal eats an amount of food equal to half its body weight. That's about 50 grams a day. Among them are numerous pests that are undesirable in the garden. Even spiders and mice make it onto his menu. The pronounced loner does not tolerate other moles or other visitors in his corridors outside of the mating season. In this way, the mole proves to be the best protection against voles.

    tunnel system

    The size of a mole's territory depends on the food supply. The more insects live in the ground, the smaller the tunnel system will be. The tunnels are built just below the surface of the earth, with a tunnel system being inhabited by a mole. This consists of a living room and several running and hunting corridors.

    • Females create a tunnel network covering an area of 2,000 square meters
    • Males dig tunnels of about 6,000 square meters
    • a corridor system can be up to 200 meters long

    In 20 minutes, the mammals can move up to six kilograms of earth. They loosen up the substrate and ensure that the layers of soil are mixed. The garden soil is thoroughly aerated and the underground passages act as a drainage system. Only in the vegetable patch is it undesirable to dig directly under the surface of the earth, as this can expose the root area of crops.

    tips

    Preferably use nettle or garlic manure to fertilize your beds. This makes this area unpopular with moles.

    mole found

    It is forbidden to catch moles. You are only allowed to take the animals with you if they obviously need help. This is the case with injured and severely debilitated animals.If in doubt, you should contact a rescue center, NABU or LBV before making a decision.

    Moles should only be taken if they are obviously in need of help.

    baby found?

    If a baby mole is not in its burrow, something is wrong

    It is extremely unlikely that you will see a helpless baby mole. A baby mole is completely hairless and relies on the mother's care. They only leave their underground nest after three to eight weeks. At this point, the young mole is already completely hairy and can survive on its own. Action is only required if the mole is visibly ill or weakened.

    recognize signs of illness

    Check the animal for possible parasites such as fly eggs or maggots. These should be completely collected with tweezers. Refrain from using spot ons. The animal also needs help if it is emaciated or dehydrated. In dehydrated animals, the nape fold remains after stretching and does not return to its original position.

    First aid

    Hypothermic hatchlings need to be warmed up because their cold body is not able to digest. Place the animal in a box that you have equipped with towels and a hot water bottle or cherry pit pillow. Red light lamps are not suitable because the small body also dries out. Then give the mole some honey or dextrose water to give it strength. Dehydrated animals get a few drops of an electrolyte solution on the lip every ten minutes.

    Preparation of the electrolyte solution:

    • 0.5 tsp salt
    • 3 teaspoons glucose
    • 5 dl boiled water

    feeding

    When the young animals have gained strength, they can be temporarily placed in a box with unfertilized soil and grass. Darken the box and ensure high humidity. Offer the animal insects that are initially served dead or mashed. Later you can feed live bee maggots, isopods, house crickets or earthworms. Due to the high metabolism, the animals need a lot of food. The amount should be half your body weight per day.

    expose

    Find a suitable place to release in a deciduous or mixed forest. Meadows, pastures and gardens are optimal. Aqueous soil or overly acidic substrates are just as unsuitable as stony subsoil. You can give the mole a jump start by digging a small hole in the substrate and putting the mole in.

    frequently asked Questions

    How can the mole survive underground?

    Physiologically, the earth dweller is perfectly adapted to life in the substrate. Mole blood has a very high hemoglobin content. The mammals can bind larger amounts of oxygen in the blood, so they don't have to constantly crawl to the earth's surface. To ensure that there is still enough air, moles create ventilation openings.

    What does a mole eat?

    The mammals belong to the group of insectivores and disdain plant food. They feed mainly on adult beetles and dipterans as well as their larvae and earthworms. Spiders are also preyed upon. Smaller vertebrates such as mice and lizards are only eaten in exceptional cases.

    What time does the mole dig?

    As a subterranean mammal, the mole does not have a distinct rhythm that depends on the time of day. Its activity is divided into sleep and wake phases. The waking phases usually extend over the morning, afternoon and midnight. During these phases, the mole is active for about four to five hours. It roams its tunnels in search of food and expands its tunnel system when necessary.

    How old does the mole get?

    The European mole reaches a maximum age of three to four and a maximum of five years. In most cases, the animals do not get older than one year. Three to four year old animals are rarely found. The highest mortality rate is among young that leave the nest at two months of age.

    How deep does a mole dig?

    Moles usually build their tunnel system just below the surface of the earth but not too close to the turf. Most of the burrow is no deeper than four to eight inches below the main root region. In winter they retreat to deeper layers of the earth and live up to one meter deep in the earth.

    How does a mole dig?

    The mammals have shovel-shaped forelimbs, with their strong claws the substrate is removed. In this way, they can cover 30 centimeters per minute and develop an extensive gait system. The excess material is pushed up with the head and trunk, creating mounds on the earth's surface.

Category:

Animals in the garden