Moles are small mammals that spend most of their lives underground, tunneling through soil in search of food and shelter. While they play a crucial role in maintaining soil health, their tunneling activities can sometimes cause visible lawn damage. This article explores the seven mole species in North America, their behaviors, physical traits, and how to manage mole populations effectively.
Meet the Mole Species of the USA
Seven species of moles occur in North America, each uniquely adapted to specific environments. These moles play vital ecological roles by aerating soil and controlling pest populations.
1. Eastern Mole (Scalopus aquaticus)
- Habitat: Found across the eastern United States, favoring well-drained soil.
- Characteristics: Broad forefeet with webbed toes for digging and velvety fur that minimizes resistance underground.
- Behavior: Can dig up to 150 feet of new tunnels daily, creating surface ridges in lawns.
2. Star-Nosed Mole (Condylura cristata)
- Habitat: Found across the eastern United States, favoring well-drained soil.
- Characteristics: Broad forefeet with webbed toes for digging and velvety fur that minimizes resistance underground.
- Behavior: Can dig up to 150 feet of new tunnels daily, creating surface ridges in lawns.
3. Hairy-Tailed Mole (Parascalops breweri)
- Habitat: Found in the northeastern United States, often in rural areas with rich soil.
- Characteristics: Notable for its short, hairy tail covered with stiff hairs and compact body.
- Behavior: Digs deep tunnels and is most active during early spring.
4. Coast Mole (Scapanus orarius)
- Habitat: Common along the West Coast, particularly in areas with rocky soil.
- Characteristics: Larger than most moles, adapted for extensive tunneling.
- Behavior: Constructs large tunnel systems often found in golf courses and rural lawns.
5. Townsend’s Mole (Scapanus townsendii)
- Habitat: Found in the Pacific Northwest, particularly in moist, lowland areas.
- Characteristics: The largest mole species in North America.
- Behavior: Prefers deeper, permanent tunnels.
6. Broad-Footed Mole (Scapanus latimanus)
- Habitat: Common in California, favoring dry, sandy soil.
- Characteristics: Distinct broad forefeet for digging.
- Behavior: Creates extensive networks of feeding tunnels.
7. American Shrew Mole (Neurotrichus gibbsii)
- Habitat: Found in parts of the Pacific Northwest and British Columbia.
- Characteristics: The smallest mole species, often seen above ground.
- Behavior: Highly active, feeding on a variety of small invertebrates.
Uncovering the Secrets of Mole Tunnels
Moles construct intricate underground tunnels that serve multiple purposes, including feeding, nesting, and navigation. These tunnels are a hallmark of mole activity and often reveal their presence in lawns and gardens.
Types of Mole Tunnels
- Surface Tunnels:
These are visible as raised ridges just beneath the soil, often created while moles search for insects and earthworms. - Deep Tunnels:
Located 6 to 20 inches underground, these permanent tunnels are used for nesting and long-term navigation.
Mole Fact: Moles can dig up to 150 feet of new tunnels daily, demonstrating their remarkable digging capabilities.
Tunneling and Soil
- Moles dig their tunnels in soil rich in organic matter, improving soil aeration and drainage.
- While beneficial for ecosystems, their tunneling can cause dead grass patches above feeding tunnels.
Eastern Mole: The Most Common Backyard Visitor
Eastern moles are the most common species in the USA, making them a focal point for mole management efforts.
Characteristics of Eastern Moles
- Size and Features:
About 5-7 inches in length, with small eyes and concealed ear openings. Their hairless, pointed snout aids in tactile navigation underground. - Diet:
Primarily feeds on insects, earthworms, and grubs, consuming up to their body weight in food daily.
Behavior and Ecology
Eastern moles are active year-round, particularly during dawn and dusk. They frequently construct new tunnels to access fresh feeding grounds.
Mole Fact: Moles may live up to four years in the wild.
What Do Moles Feed On?
Moles play an essential role in pest control by consuming soil-dwelling insects and other organisms.
What Do Moles Eat?
- Insects and Grubs:
Moles are voracious eaters of pest species like Japanese beetles and cranefly larvae. - Earthworms:
A staple of their diet, providing a rich source of protein and nutrients.
Feeding Patterns
Moles rely on their heightened sense of touch to navigate their tunnels and locate prey. Their feeding tunnels often intersect with soil rich in organic matter.
Moles, Voles, and Pocket Gophers: What Are the Differences?
Moles are often confused with voles and pocket gophers, but these animals have distinct differences in behavior, diet, and physical characteristics.
Moles
- Diet: Insectivores, eating insects, earthworms, and grubs.
- Physical Characteristics: Moles have hairless, pointed snouts, broad webbed forefeet with stout claws for digging, and small eyes concealed in fur.
- Behavior: Live underground, creating tunnel systems and feeding tunnels near the surface.
Voles
- Diet: Herbivores, feeding on plant roots, stems, and seeds.
- Physical Characteristics: Rodent-like appearance, small rounded ears, and a short tail.
- Behavior: Create shallow runways above ground, causing damage to plants and gardens.
Pocket Gophers
- Diet: Herbivores, eating roots and tubers.
- Physical Characteristics: Larger than moles, with external cheek pouches for carrying food.
- Behavior: Create deep tunnels, often causing soil mounds on the surface.
Understanding these differences helps homeowners identify the true culprit of yard damage and implement the appropriate control measures.
Managing Mole Populations: Humane and Effective Tips
While moles provide ecological benefits, their tunneling can disrupt lawns and gardens. Effective management involves humane and practical solutions.
Mole Control Methods
- Trapping:
Mole traps placed in active tunnels are a common method for controlling mole populations. - Repellents:
Castor oil-based products deter moles without harming them. - Habitat Modification:
Reduce food sources like grubs using beneficial nematodes or install wire mesh to protect specific areas.
Legal and Practical Considerations
- No permit is required for trapping moles in most states.
- Active mole runs can be identified by pressing down the soil; if the run is active, the soil will spring back.
Protect Your Lawn from Mole Damage
Understanding the species of moles in the USA and their ecological roles helps homeowners make informed decisions about managing mole activity.
For effective and humane mole control, The Mole Hunter offers professional solutions to protect your lawn while preserving the environment.
