 |
| The Common Mole - Image from National Geographic |
The reality is, if you have a population of moles in your landscape, you need them. A mole requires welcoming, moist soil, which provide it with shelter as well as a steady diet of invertebrates to fuel its racing metabolism. No invertebrates in your soil? No moles.
As a mole breaststrokes through its dark and moist world, it pushes the soil out of its way and down the sides of its body, forming both runways and tunnels from which to feed. Nearly blind, a common mole cruises just below the surface of the soil, at the root level of many plants, and uses its highly developed senses of smell, touch, and hearing, as well as sensitivity to vibrations, to locate food. As a mole burrows, it leaves behind the telltale signs of his presence – a mounding wake of loose, crumbling, soil. A mole may only travel his mounded runway once before moving on to a better feeding ground of insects.
The permanent tunnels of moles are used year-round and are located about a foot under ground. Those tunnels often lead to burrows, lined with grass, which in the spring can be home to three to six young. A mound of soil at the surface, or molehill, is characteristic of a mole’s burrow.
If you enjoy this website, you might like my magazine, Gardening Life. Thank you for stopping by to spend time in my garden. If you liked the article, please take a moment to let me know. I will be delighted if you would suggest Gardens Inspired to your friends, follow me or subscribe to my Blog.
Leave a legacy, but garden like you’ll live forever!
-Debra
Did you like this post? Please recommend it to other readers by selecting the g+1 box, below.
Cute little creatures. Don't think we have them in Ireland.
ReplyDeleteBridget
Ireland, then, is indeed fortunate, Bridget! Thank you for dropping in! -Debra
DeleteFound one little Mole trapped in our window well a few years back. Thankfully, we have never seen another. Your post has some interesting facts about these not so popular little creatures.
ReplyDeleteThese moles are tearing up my yard and neighbors on each side of me !!!! I have tried simple tasks to out them . Everyday more hills !!!! I don"t really appreciate them !!!!
ReplyDeleteYou and your neighbors must be serving quite a buffet of grubs. I am sorry; and know from personal experience how frustrating moles can be. Perhaps there are enough moles in the area now that the food supply will soon run out!
DeleteAt last someone who talks sense about a harmless, useful little creature.I have Moles,Voles,Frogs,Toads,Slow worms,Bees Butterflies and Birds in my thriving garden. They provide me with free pest control and are a delight to see.I used to have Hedgehogs but have not seen any for years ,probably due to other people using poisonous slug pellets.
ReplyDelete