Moles are common subterranean mammals that can become a nuisance for homeowners due to their extensive tunneling activity. While many believe these creatures become inactive or hibernate during colder months, moles remain active year-round, continuing to impact lawns and gardens. This article explores how moles adapt to winter conditions, how to identify their presence, and strategies for managing them when temperatures drop.
How Moles Stay Active in Winter
Contrary to a common misconception, moles do not hibernate when winter arrives. They maintain activity throughout the colder months, continuously digging and foraging for food. Moles have a high metabolic rate and require a constant food supply, which prevents them from entering a deep, energy-conserving torpor.
As surface soil freezes, moles adapt by tunneling deeper underground, below the frost line. This allows them to access a more stable environment where temperatures remain consistent and the soil stays workable. Their diet consists of invertebrates like earthworms, grubs, and other insects, which also move to deeper soil layers to escape the cold. Moles may also create chambers to store live prey for later consumption, ensuring a continuous food source.
Identifying Winter Mole Activity
Even with colder temperatures and snow, moles leave discernible signs of their presence. Fresh molehills, conical piles of displaced soil, can still appear on the surface, sometimes pushing up through snow. These mounds indicate active excavation below. While surface tunneling might be less obvious than in warmer seasons, raised ridges or pathways across the lawn can still indicate shallow feeding tunnels.
Damage to lawns and plant roots can signal ongoing mole activity. Moles disrupt root systems as they tunnel, which may lead to patches of yellowed or dead grass. This damage, although less apparent under snow, becomes more noticeable as snow melts in early spring, revealing the extent of their winter work. Their persistent tunneling can also affect concrete patios and walkways as groundwater fills and freezes in the tunnels.
Dealing with Moles in Cold Weather
Managing moles in winter requires specific approaches, as their behavior shifts to deeper underground activity. Trapping remains an effective method for mole control year-round, including winter. Traps should be placed in active tunnels, particularly those leading to deeper, permanent systems below the frost line. While effective, trapping may require more patience in winter due to less surface activity and potentially harder ground for trap placement.
Exclusion techniques can also protect specific garden areas. Installing physical barriers, such as hardware cloth liners, around vulnerable plants or within flowerbeds can deter moles. Managing moisture levels in the lawn by limiting excessive watering can make the soil less attractive for moles and their food sources. If mole activity persists, consulting a professional pest control service can provide targeted solutions and ongoing management.