Moles are insectivorous mammals that spend most of their lives below the surface, creating the noticeable ridges and mounds that disrupt lawns. They are drawn to residential yards primarily because these areas offer readily available food and favorable soil conditions for continuous tunneling. Understanding these attractions is the most effective way to manage their presence and mitigate the damage caused by their extensive tunnel networks. Since a mole’s existence is dedicated to foraging, the quality of the underground environment is the primary factor determining where they settle.
The Predominant Dietary Draw
The single greatest attraction for any mole is a dense population of subterranean invertebrates, which serve as their primary food source. Earthworms are the staple of a mole’s diet, often comprising the majority of its daily caloric intake. An average mole requires a substantial amount of food, needing to consume between 70% and 100% of its own body weight every day to sustain its high-energy lifestyle.
Due to this high metabolism, moles are almost constantly excavating and patrolling their tunnel systems to hunt. While earthworms are preferred, moles also readily consume other invertebrates like insect larvae, including beetle grubs, centipedes, and snails. Contrary to a common misconception, moles are insectivores and rarely eat plant roots or bulbs, though their tunneling can certainly damage them.
Moles have a unique adaptation: their saliva contains a toxin that can paralyze earthworms, allowing them to store their prey alive in underground chambers for later consumption. This ability to create a fresh food pantry incentivizes them to stay in areas with high invertebrate density.
Preferred Soil and Habitat Conditions
Beyond the food supply, moles are strongly attracted to specific physical properties of the soil that facilitate their constant digging. They prefer loose, loamy, and moist soil, which is significantly easier to tunnel through than heavy clay or dry, compacted dirt. This preference is why manicured lawns, which often have deep, well-tended topsoil and consistent moisture, become prime locations.
The moisture level of the soil is another factor that influences mole activity and habitat choice. Soil that is moderately moist is ideal because it supports a flourishing population of earthworms and other invertebrates, which tend to stay closer to the surface in those conditions. During dry periods, moles will dig deeper to follow their food sources, which retreat further underground.
Areas with protective ground cover, such as dense grass, mulch, or shaded garden beds, also appeal to moles. This cover helps keep the soil cooler and maintains the moderate moisture levels they favor, creating an optimal environment for their prey.
Constant Foraging and Territorial Needs
A mole’s attraction is reinforced by its need to establish and defend an expansive territory to ensure a continuous food supply. Moles are solitary creatures, only interacting during the mating season, and they aggressively defend their complex burrow systems from rivals. This territorial behavior means that once a mole establishes itself, it is unlikely to leave unless the food source is entirely depleted.
Their underground territory consists of a network of tunnels, including deep, permanent runways and shallower surface foraging tunnels. The shallower tunnels are the ones that create the visible ridges in your lawn as the mole “swims” through the soil in its search for food. A single mole’s home range can cover a considerable area, sometimes up to 2.7 acres, depending on the availability of food.
The need for constant foraging drives their activity throughout the day and night, as they do not hibernate and must hunt year-round. This continuous excavation and patrolling of their established territory ensures that any new invertebrates that enter the soil are quickly detected and consumed.