Moles are strange creatures that can cause devastating damage to your pristine lawn, especially when they are allowed to burrow out of control. The animals tend to feed on worms and other subsurface creatures. You’ll be left with dimples, holes, dirt mounds, and torn-up grass if they’re not stopped. With effective pest control methods, however, you can eradicate the critters and keep your yard looking great. Perhaps even more importantly, you can continue to impress your irritable in-laws when they next pay a holiday visit.
Appearance
True moles are generally distinguished by their prominent snouts. While many species are dark brown, others can range from black to white to pink. They typically have webbed feet and sharp claws, which they use to dig tunnels through the surrounding dirt. Their claws enable them to make their way through even hard soil. Thus, they can pose significant problems for homeowners. While they are certainly widespread in the state of Georgia, they are also found all over the eastern half of the United States.
Habitat
Moles are solitary creatures and are in love with the underworld. They typically construct a whole network of tunnels and are most comfortable when they are protected on all sides. In areas that have recently received a lot of rain, the tunnels are generally just beneath the ground surface. In dry areas, they can be much more profound. As moles build their tunnels, they usually cause the topsoil to become ridged in some places. In other locations, the topsoil may completely collapse.
Food Sources
Moles are carnivores that hunt insects wherever they can. Though they love earthworms, they will also eat beetles, spiders, flies, wasps, ants, centipedes, and grasshoppers. Plant stalks and seeds are also on the menu. In some cases, they’ll even eat cocoons. Because they are always looking for new hunting grounds, they’ll continue to expand their underground burrows until your yard looks like a war zone.
Damage
Moles can cause damage to several different areas. While lawns will indeed become degraded, the animals can also dig up park areas, flower gardens, and vegetable gardens. If you’ve recently planted some vegetables, you likely won’t appreciate having them ripped from the ground. Immediate action should be taken.
If you’re currently dealing with a wildlife problem, like moles, and unsure how to proceed, you can call ABC Orlando for further assistance. We can assess the severity of the problem and quickly develop an action plan that will keep your yard from being hopelessly wrecked.