Do Moles Remain Active During The Winter?
Yes. Bet you weren't expecting an answer so quickly. Most of the time, when we have a question, we run to the internet and have to skim down through a long article to get to our answer. Well, no skimming here. Moles can remain active all winter long. They don't hibernate. But, that isn't the whole story. If you want the whole story, you're going to have to keep reading.
When there is a foot of snow on the ground (or ten) it is hard to imagine moles being active. Not only is that snow freezing cold, the ground is freezing cold too, and often hard as a rock for a foot or more. How on earth are moles able to dig through the frozen ground and scurry around in the snow? And if they are able to dig their way to the surface, what foods are they going to eat? All the vegetation is gone. These are good questions.
As the soil freezes, moles stop making surface tunnels and dig deeper into the ground. In the middle of winter, they will be below the frost line eating bugs aplenty. But they don't stay deep in the ground. They will begin to tunnel closer and closer to the surface as the soil gets easier to dig through and the temperatures become more bearable. Sometimes, this happens even before the snow has completely melted.
One of the biggest problems moles cause is dead grass patches. As moles tunnel under a lawn they disrupt the root system of turfgrass and create patches that start out yellow and eventually turn light tan. If they do this damage in the summer, these tunnels usually give them away. Moles prefer to burrow right at the surface, pushing topsoil and grass up as they go along. They also make mole hills in random locations. These are hard to miss on a beautiful summer day, but during the spring in Maine, these surface tunnels can be hidden by snow. They can also go unnoticed because we don't spend as much time outside in the early spring as we do in late spring and summer. So there will be less opportunity to catch the problem early.
Here are a few ways you can avoid finding mole damage after the snow vanishes:
- Keep your lawn as dry as possible. While it is definitely important to water your turfgrass, over watering can create conditions that invite moles into your yard.
- Mole problems often start as a grub problem. If you take measures to quickly address grub issues when they appear, it will go a long way to preventing a mole infestation in your yard.
- Get ongoing pest control from a trustworthy pest control company. When you have an educated professional apply appropriate treatments throughout the year, they're going to see the evidence of invading moles and deal with the issue quickly.
Here are a few ways that do not work to stop moles:
- While moles are omnivores, they prefer earthworms, grubs, and bugs. Protecting your garden and flowerbeds will not deter moles from coming into your yard.
- When mole hills appear in your yard, you're not likely to have any success trying to flood those tunnels with your garden hose. Moles will quickly and easily escape to build even more tunnels in your yard.
- Purchasing mole baits or attempting to apply other pest control methods seldom works. Mole infestations are a complicated pest control problem. When not handled properly, it can not only lead to continued infestation, it can result in increased infestation.
As we head into winter, remember that every season of the year is a good time to begin ongoing pest service. Bugs and wildlife can be active all year long. Proper treatments from an educated and experienced pest control technician, in the proper seasons, makes a big difference for your yard, and for your home.
While moles are mostly a lawn pest, other bugs and wildlife can present much more of a threat. When you have ongoing pest service protecting your lawn from moles, you'll be protecting yourself, your family, and your pets from diseases and harmful bacteria. You'll be protecting your home and your belongings from damage. And you'll be proactively preventing unwanted bites and stings.
To learn more, or to establish service for your Southern Maine home, reach out to Big Blue Bug Solutions today.
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