Moles, small furry creatures found in many gardens, can be a pest for gardeners due to their ability to create unsightly hills in the soil and damage plant roots. Understanding their life cycle and habits is essential to dealing with them effectively. Moles have a unique life cycle that includes a gestation period, growth and development of young, juvenile stage, and adulthood. They have peculiar habits, including a diet mainly consisting of earthworms and other soil insects, are solitary animals that dig up to 100 feet of tunnels a day, and can cause significant damage to lawns and garden beds. Gardeners can deal with moles by using mole traps, poison baits, plant repellents, or vibrating stakes.
Understanding the Life Cycle and Habits of the Mole Creature in Your Garden
Moles are small, furry creatures that are found in many gardens. They are a common pest for gardeners because they can create unsightly hills in the soil and damage roots of plants. To effectively deal with moles in your garden, you need to understand their life cycle and habits. In this article, we will provide you with the necessary information to identify and deal with moles in your garden.
Mole’s Life Cycle
Moles are known for their peculiar habits and lifestyle. They are typically active throughout the year, but their activity is most pronounced in the warm seasons with well-maintained soil. Moles prefer to live and feed underground, which makes it difficult to observe their habits.
Moles have a unique life cycle, and to understand their behavior, it is critical to understand their life stages. Below are some of the stages in the life cycle of moles:
– The first stage in a mole’s life cycle is the gestation period. Female moles give birth to their young during March and May. The litter size varies, but it is usually between 2 to 7 pups.
– The second stage is the growth and development of young moles. The young are born naked and blind but develop fur and sight within a few weeks.
– The third stage is the juvenile stage, which begins at around eight weeks of age. During this stage, young moles begin to leave their mother’s nest and start searching for territories to forage on.
– The fourth and final stage is the adulthood stage. Adult moles create an intricate tunnel system underground, which they use for feeding, sheltering, and reproducing.
Mole’s Habits
Moles have peculiar habits and lifestyles that make them different from other animals. Understanding these habits is essential to deal with these creatures in your garden. Here are some of the habits of moles:
– Mole’s diet consists mainly of earthworms, beetles, and other soil insects. Therefore, they dig their tunnels to locate their favorite foods.
– Moles are solitary animals that prefer to live alone. They do not tolerate the presence of other moles in their territory.
– Moles are more active in the morning and evening hours, but they can also be active throughout the day.
– Moles can dig up to 100 feet of tunnels in a day. Therefore, if you notice a lot of soil movement, it is most probably due to moles.
– Many gardeners mistake mole damage for other pests, such as gophers. Mole damage is typically indicated by mounds of soil with tunnels running beneath.
– Moles are known for the unusual way they move in the soil. They have oversized front paws with sharp nails, which they use to dig a network of tunnels underground.
– Moles can cause significant damage to lawns and garden beds by uprooting tree and plant roots.
Dealing with Moles in Your Garden
Now that you understand the mole’s lifecycle and habits, you can take steps to control or eliminate them from your garden. Here are some of the methods you can use to control moles in your garden:
– Mole traps: These are specially designed to capture moles as they move through their tunnels. You can use different types of traps, such as the scissor-jaw or the choker loop model.
– Poison baits: These contain a lethal poison that kills the mole when eaten. However, using poison baits can be hazardous to other wildlife and pets, so use them with caution.
– Plant repellents: Some plants such as daffodils, castor beans, and mole plant can repel moles away from your garden.
– Vibrating stakes: These are gadgets that release a vibration to simulate the movements of moles. The vibration can deter moles, and they will move away from your garden.
FAQs
Q: Are moles dangerous?
A: No, moles are not dangerous to humans or pets. They are underground animals that mainly feed on soil insects.
Q: Can moles damage my garden?
A: Yes, moles can uproot tree and plant roots, create unsightly hills in the soil, and push small rocks to the surface.
Q: How can I prevent moles from invading my garden?
A: Planting repellent plants, removing soil insects from your garden, and removing feces and mounds of soil can help deter moles from your garden.
In conclusion, moles are small furry creatures that are found in many gardens. They are a common pest for gardeners because of their destructive habits. To deal with moles effectively, you need to understand their lifecycle, habits, and how to control or eliminate them from your garden. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can protect your garden from the destructive effects of moles.
