What is a mole?

The mole (Talpa europaea) is a mammal that lives underground and is especially known for its exceptional digging ability.

With its very powerful front legs and elongated body, it moves easily through compact soils and builds a vast network of tunnels.

A mole is not completely blind, but its vision is very limited. It mainly distinguishes light and movement. This is largely compensated for by a highly developed sense of hearing and a very sensitive sense of touch. It can thus move perfectly in the dark.

Moles are solitary animals that strongly defend their territory. They constantly dig new tunnels to search for food and remain active all year round.

How do moles live?

Moles spend most of their lives in a vast network of tunnels. This consists of:

• deep main tunnels, in which the mole moves safely

• shallow hunting tunnels, just below the surface, where it actively searches for food

A mole can dig several dozen meters of tunnels each day and continues to expand and maintain its network. This constant activity leads to visible damage on the surface.

In addition, moles often have a separate cavity in their network: a sort of reserve where they store food. They mainly keep earthworms there. To keep them 'fresh', the mole bites the front part of the worm to immobilize it. The worm often remains alive but can no longer move. Thus, the mole always has food available.

How are molehills formed?

A molehill forms when the mole pushes excess soil to the surface while digging or expanding its tunnels. It evacuates this soil through a vertical shaft, creating a visible mound.

This vertical opening is an important point: it is through here that the mole comes up from the depths. This makes it an ideal spot for a targeted and effective control method.

Why are moles a persistent problem?

Moles do not hibernate. This means they remain active all year round, even in winter. Your garden or meadow is therefore never really 'safe'.

Moreover, moles have a great need for energy. They must eat a lot every day to stay active. In many cases, they consume up to their own weight in food each day, mainly earthworms, larvae, and other small soil organisms.

This is why moles constantly dig new tunnels and molehills often reappear very quickly.

What damage do moles cause?

Even though moles do not eat plants, they can cause significant damage to lawns, gardens, meadows, and pastures.

The most common problems are:

• molehills that damage the lawn and make it less attractive

• roots and young plants disturbed or damaged by the tunnels

• ground subsidence (dangerous in pastures)

• a decrease in hay quality due to soil mixed with grass

Individuals, farmers, gardeners, and horse owners often face these nuisances.

Why do many methods not work?

There are different methods to repel or eliminate moles, such as scented products, vibration devices, sound systems, or traditional traps. Their effectiveness varies greatly, as moles adapt very quickly to their environment.

Many traditional methods are based on repulsion (odors, sounds, or vibrations). In practice, it is often observed that moles:

• get used to the disturbance

• dig a new network of tunnels

• return after a short time

In other words: you waste time and money, while the problem remains the same.