Lifestyle
Moles live in tunnels under the ground. The mole frequently seeks out water to drink and his path often runs from the waterside into the land. In meadows, the mole tunnels are often very close to the surface. This is partly determined by the moisture level. The reason for this is that a mole feeds on worms and insect larvae. In dry circumstances, the worms are deeper, due to which the mole digs deeper. In moist circumstances, the worms are close to the surface, as then is the mole.

Moles have a fairly large territory. A backyard of about 150 square meters will have about one or two mole residents. The number of molehills don’t say anything about the number of moles.

Trying to drown the mole by flooding the tunnels often has the opposite effect. The amount of moisture increases the amount of worms, which attracts more moles.

Prevention
The plant Imperial Crown has roots that secrete an odour that repels the mole. The effect is not really significant. The same goes for other control measures, such as fish heads in the ground, sulphur smoke patterns or beer bottle in the tunnels. Research has shown that even the so-called mole repellents, that use ultrasonic sound have almost no effect on moles.

Prevention with traps
Dig a frequently used tunnel open carefully so that it doesn’t collapse. Remove the crumbs from the tunnel. Shove a live trap to both sides of the tunnel, not directly under the hole. Cover the hole in such a way that it doesn’t let in any light, otherwise the mole will notice the changed circumstances and he will no longer use the tunnel, rendering the trap useless.

When placing tunnels, please keep in mind the waterside. In flower gardens, place the traps at the edge of the lawn, where the grass begins, because in the lawn it can cause a lot of damage.

Prevention with pills
Prevention with pills that contain phosphide can only be done by professionals with special training. The gas pills are inserted into the ground with a so-called gun. Enough concentration of the gas must build up in the ground. This can only be done if:

The terrain is not adjacent to a developed area. There is a 10 meter distance requirement; the terrain is not entered for a period of three days; the weather conditions permit. The soil cannot be to wet because that could cause flash fires. The soil can also not be to dry, because it would prevent the gas from building up.