Moles
If moles are digging up your garden, learn how to deter or get rid of them with tips in our guide.
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Time to act | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Mole hills - piles of fresh, excavated soil - don't fully convey the extent of one mole's underground tunnel system, which can cover a surprisingly large area. If a young plant isn't developing, it could be due to tunnelling beneath it. Seedlings can also suffer badly when their roots are disturbed, or they're left dangling in an empty space. Before mowing a lawn with mole hills, sweep up the soil to avoid smudging it across the grass.
Symptoms
There are two symptoms of moles: mole hills - piles of excavated soil on lawns and around the garden - and underground tunnels, found when digging the soil or making a new planting hole.
Find it on
lawns, borders
Organic
Mole traps are very effective. Insert one in a tunnel, cover it with turf and an upturned bucket to exclude light, and check it daily. Electronic devices are available that emit a buzzing sound to drive moles away, either to the other end of a large garden or to your neighbour's garden!
Chemical
Professional contractors can gas the tunnels, but only if it's 3m away from occupied buildings. And this won't prevent other moles from tunnelling into your garden.
Festive subscription offer
Save 38% on the shop price. Subscribe to BBC Gardeners' World Magazine today for £49.99.
November issue on sale now!
The November issue of BBC Gardeners' World magazine is on sale now, buy online or in stores now.
Plant of the Week: Cornus sanguineau 'Anny's Winter Orange'
This week, save over 20 per cent and buy 1 x 3L pot for just £13.95. Use code GWCORNUS at checkout to apply the discount.
Offer ends 23.59, Sunday 10 November.
Discover Dangerous Plants
From witchcraft to murder mysteries, uncover the power of plants in the new BBC Gardeners' World Magazine podcast series.