Overview
What To Look For
Mole activity in your yard will cause unsightly and annoying ridges and secondary damage to plants and turf, so it is important to know what signs to look for when inspecting for moles and mole damage.
Mole Damage Appearance
Mole damage occurs when moles move through their tunnels to feed. Here is what mole damage looks like:
- Raised ridges on the surface of your soil, which can include upheaved soil, is the hallmark of mole damage.
- Molehills can be present as well, from when the moles dig very deep and a lot of dirt is displaced. Sometimes this gets confused with pocket gopher mounds. Pocket gophers do not cause raised ridges.
- Since the moles are digging under the soil, they can cause roots of grass and other plants, as well as flower and plant bulbs, to become disturbed. Some may become displaced, but others may die. This is in indirect form of damage; primary damage is the raised ridges.
Gopher Mounds vs Mole Mounds
When & Where Mole Damage Can Occur
Moles are present and feed throughout the year, so damage can occur at any time.
It might seem like there is an army of moles ruining your lawn, but moles are generally solitary creatures, although several may be active in the same area.
Moles move to where their food source is most abundant. This means they may be present in your yard for a few weeks and move on, but come back at a different time of year, as the food available changes throughout the seasons. This makes their behavior and presence somewhat unpredictable.Moles may prefer certain types of soil over others, like moist, sandy, or loamy, but if your lawn is full of potential food, less than ideal soil will likely not deter a mole.