Question 1

How do I get rid of moles in my garden?

Accepted Answer

The most reliable method is trapping, carried out by someone trained to find the active tunnels. Home remedies such as smoke, sonic devices and smells usually only move the mole a short distance. We set spring traps in the active tunnel system, mark them with small flags, and check them regularly until the activity stops.

Question 2

Are moles a protected species?

Accepted Answer

No, moles are not a protected species in the UK, but they are covered by animal welfare law, so they must be controlled humanely. The poison strychnine, once widely used against moles, has been banned for many years. Trapping by a trained technician is a lawful and effective way to deal with them.

Question 3

How do I know if molehills are fresh?

Accepted Answer

Fresh molehills are crumbly and damp, with loose soil spilling into the grass around them. Older molehills settle, harden and flatten out over time. A line of new hills, or raised ridges running across the lawn, shows the moles are still active and where their tunnels run.

Question 4

When are moles most active?

Accepted Answer

Moles are active all year, but they are often most noticeable in spring, during the breeding season between February and June, and when the ground is soft after rain. They live alone except during breeding, so a lawn full of molehills may be caused by only one or two moles.

Question 5

Can moles damage sports fields and paddocks?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Molehills spoil playing surfaces and golf greens, and the tunnels weaken the ground, creating trip and fall hazards for players, horses and livestock. On farms, soil from molehills can get into silage and spoil it. We provide mole control for sports clubs, golf courses, paddocks and farmland across Berkshire.

Question 6

How many moles are in my garden?

Accepted Answer

Usually fewer than you think. Moles live alone and each one can create a large network of tunnels and many molehills, so even a badly affected lawn may have only one or two. That is why targeted trapping of the active tunnels is often effective in clearing a garden.

Question 7

How do I know if I have moles or something else in my lawn?

Accepted Answer

Moles leave fresh heaps of loose soil, called molehills, often in a line, with no open hole on top. Raised ridges just under the surface are another sign. Open holes, scratched-up patches or chewed plants usually point to something else, such as rabbits, squirrels or birds looking for grubs. We can check and confirm.

Mole control in Reading and Berkshire