Mole Infestation in House? Or…

Got a “mole infestation in house” problem? Before we get into how to get rid of moles in your house, let’s talk about the signs that led you to think moles are in your home. Are you seeing dark rice-sized droppings? Maybe hearing rustling noises in the walls, or noticing your pets paying attention to some sort of noises they hear in the walls? Have you found tiny tooth marks on food bags, papers, books, or wood? Or, have you encountered a little gathering of food bits tucked inside a bag in a closet?

All good reasons to be concerned and suspicious! But, honestly, we must tell you… moles are not your suspects. Nope. It can’t be those guys, because your home is simply not where a mole wants to hang out. They want and need to be outside… and underground.  And they are not prone to varying from that strong preference. So, the good news is you don’t need to get rid of moles. More on those guys later. To deal with the true suspects, check out “How to Get Rid of Mice,” because those are the critters you’re most likely after. Then, check back here to learn about the hard-working and honorable mole.

What are moles?

Glad you asked, because few people realize what neat animals they are, simply because they live such a quiet, hidden-from-view life. Once you know a little about the mole, if you ever find that you do have one in your yard, you won’t want to know how to get rid of a mole. You’ll count yourself lucky, especially if you’re into plants and gardening. Maybe the best way to introduce you to these creatures is to give you a job description for a mole. They are, in fact, incredibly industrious little animals… so, here you go.

Title: Mole (not Mouse, not Vole, nor any other small mammal… Mole, with an “M”)

Purpose: The purpose of the position of “Mole” is to manage insects, earthworms, and other invertebrates within their sub-terranian domain, improve soil quality, and (eventually) provide a meal for a predator. (See? Nowhere in there does it say their purpose is to cause havoc in your home.)

Duties and Responsibilities: The duties and responsibilities of a “Mole” shall be conducted almost exclusively underground, within chambers and tunnels:

• Consume about half one’s weight each day in insects, earthworms, and other invertebrates.
• Keep invasive species, such as Japanese beetles, in check by scarfing up their grubs in great numbers.
• Create fertile ground for plants through extensive, laborious tunneling, which aerates the soil and keeps it healthy.
• Provide (just once) a needed meal for a hungry predator. (Granted, this final duty is a little ominous, but it is an important contribution to a mole’s community.)

 Qualifications: Here are a few qualifications needed for their less sobering duties:

• Able to lift 20 times one’s body weight, in order to be efficient at tunneling. (Strong front paws and claws are key for this.)
• Able to locate tiny prey items in total darkness. (Due to living in darkness, this is all about having a good nose.)
• Able to find a mate and raise young in—you guessed it—total darkness. (They’re not telling how they do this.)
• Able to avert becoming a predator’s meal before doing some good earthmoving. (Well, for obvious reasons, they can’t reveal their strategies for this either!)

Bottom line… Just because an animal is tiny doesn’t mean they don’t have a big job to do!