Mole Control

Moles cause damage to the agricultural silage, spread disease Listeriosis to sheep fed on silage. Molehills are unsightly on amenity and sporting grassland and are particularly unwelcome on expensive golf greens, bowling greens and damage mowing machinery.

Mole Removal and Control Solutions

General Information about Moles

Mole (Talpa europaea)

The Mole is a member of the Insectivore Order. The cylindrical body is 12 – 16cm long from nose to tip of tail and weighs some 110g. An adult Mole will eat about 40-50g of food per day. There is very little external difference between the sexes. The Mole is covered with black velvety hair that can set in any direction. It is well adapted for burrowing with large spade-like forefeet turned permanently outwards for digging. The eyes are very small and hidden among the fur but are well capable of detecting light. There are no external ear flaps. The senses of touch and hearing are well developed, but smell and sight are less important.

The Mole is abundant in mainland Britain but is absent from Ireland and some shore islands. It is found wherever there are suitable soils for tunnelling, but it tends to avoid shallow or stony soil, waterlogged or very acid soil. It is most abundant in permanent grassland and deciduous woodland but can be found in playing fields, parks, cemeteries, golf courses and private gardens.

Moles are solitary in their habits and live almost entirely underground in a tunnel system that may cover an area of 100-1000sq/m, but exact size will depend upon food availability.

Moles feed mainly on earthworms but also various other invertebrates including slugs and insect larvae. Much of the prey is caught when it falls into the tunnel system that acts as a kind of pitfall trap. The Mole patrols the tunnel system almost continuously, with activity periods of 4 and1/2 hours alternating with 3- and 1/2-hours rest. One of the periods of activity is often just after sunrise and another just before sunset.

The mole breeding season lasts from February to June and there is usually one litter a year. After a 4-week gestation period, the young are born blind and without fur. They develop rapidly and leave the nest when they are 5 weeks old.

How Moles Impact Humans and Livestock

Reasons to warrant Mole Control:

The most important type of damage caused by moles is probably in agriculture, where the inclusion of soil from molehills in grass silage can result in spoilt unpalatable silage and is a possible source of the disease Listeriosis in sheep fed on silage.
Molehills may also be unsightly on amenity and sporting grassland and result in unevenness of the surface and deterioration of the sward by providing a seed bed for weeds. Molehills are particularly unwelcome on the expensive turf of golf greens and bowling greens. Molehills can also cause damage to mowing machinery by throwing up stones.
Damages can occur in arable crops and gardens when moles burrow under seedlings and plants, resulting in wilting and death.
Mole tunnelling activity can disturb archaeological strata. Underground security systems can be interrupted or triggered by mole activity.

If you have seen mole hills in your garden or grassland, call 01424 255 882 for help.

Signs to Indicate Mole Activity

Signs of Mole presence

The most obvious sign of the presence of Moles is the appearance of molehills on the surface of the ground. These consist of heaps of loose soil, of varying volume. The main way to check whether moles are still present in an area is to check for new digging on the molehills, if there is no evidence of current digging, it may be necessary to flatten and even heel in the molehills and return a few days later to see if any subsequent activity is shown. Fresh activity indicates the area where control action should be concentrated.

There are 3 types of tunnels: There is no exact definition of the different types of tunnels, which are in any case simply ways of trying to describe what is happening underground. Deep tunnels, which may be more than 25 cm deep, are probably used mainly for shelter or access to cover rather than for feeding. Deep tunnels are in any case not only difficult to find but too deep for easy application of control systems. The second type of tunnel are feeding tunnels whose depth is usually about 5-20cm below the soil surface, the soil from these is pushed out onto the surface as molehills; It is the feeding tunnels which the moles patrol to find the invertebrates which may have fallen into them, and which are therefore the tunnels which are best used for control. Surface tunnels are often just under the surface of the grass roots where the moles are looking for the invertebrates that feed in such areas, here the soil or grass is pushed up to form a ridge on the surface of the ground.

The mole nests for breeding and sleeping are made of dry grass and leaves either in a part of a deep tunnel or in the centre of a large mound of soil known as a fortress, a particularly large mole hill that can sometimes be found in fields.

Mole Control and Removal Solutions

Prevention of Damage and Control of Moles

Because moles feed on earthworms, killing the worms in an area of turf will make it unattractive to moles. However, the turf will require additional maintenance, e.g. aeration by spiking to replace the beneficial effects of earthworms and keep it in a healthy condition. This method is only practicable on high value, amenity grassland such as golf and bowling greens where, in any case, earthworms are unacceptable because of their casts. Only products approved specifically for use as a lumbricid (earthworm killer) may be used for this purpose.

Various repellent devices are marketed from time to time, which are said to repel Moles, e.g. by interfering with the earth’s magnetic field or producing ultrasound or simply making a noise. In general, little confidence can be placed in their efficacy. Similarly, several traditional remedies varying from burying milk bottles up to their necks (the vibration of wind blowing across the mouth of the bottle is said to repel Moles), to laying prickly vegetation in Mole runs. All these traditional methods are of equally doubtful effectiveness.

Moles can also be controlled by:-

Trapping
Culling
Gassing

For more Information, Call 01424 255 882

Areas We Cover

We are proud to serve a wide range of locations across Sussex and Kent, covering bustling towns, charming villages, and picturesque coastal areas. Whether you’re based in a vibrant city, a peaceful countryside retreat, or a scenic seaside town, we are here to provide our services to you.

Our coverage includes major towns such as Brighton, Eastbourne, Tunbridge Wells, and Hastings, as well as many surrounding villages and rural communities. We understand the unique character of each area and strive to offer reliable, high-quality services tailored to the needs of our local clients.

Below is a breakdown of the key regions we operate in:

Hastings
St. Leonards on Sea
Bexhill On Sea
Battle
Westfield
Crowborough
Whatlington

Cost of Pest Control

The cost of pest control services is a common concern for many homeowners and business owners seeking professional assistance to eliminate pests from their properties. Several factors influence the pricing of pest control, making it difficult to provide an accurate quote online.

How much does pest control cost?

Here are the key factors that contribute to the overall cost of treating a pest infestation:

Size of infestation – The extent and severity of the pest infestation affect the service cost. For instance, treating a large, established bed bug infestation will take more time and resources, resulting in a higher price compared to a small, contained issue that can be resolved quickly.

Type of pest – The specific type of pest infesting your property also impacts the pricing. The cost of eliminating cockroaches will differ from the cost of treating a rodent problem, as different solutions and approaches are required for each pest.

Type of treatment – The treatment method needed for pest elimination correlates with the overall service cost. For example, using insecticide sprays to control moths is different from employing heat treatment. The complexity and method of treatment will be reflected in the pricing. Moreover, the costs for preventative pest control are generally different from those for corrective or reactive treatments.

Number of treatments – Some pests may require multiple treatments for effective control, affecting overall pricing. For example, treating a wasp nest typically costs less than a rat treatment, as eliminating a rat infestation usually necessitates several visits from our professional pest controllers to ensure the pest is completely removed.

Size of property – The dimensions of the property are also a factor in determining pest control costs. Larger properties require more time and effort to effectively treat pest problems, which will influence the overall treatment cost to remove pests.

The size of the property plays a part in the cost of a pest control service. The larger the property the more time is required to successfully treat a pest problem. This will affect the cost of the treatment required to remove the pest.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the signs of a rodent infestation?

Signs of a rodent infestation include damaged or gnawed materials, droppings, and unusual noises, especially at night. Dead or live rodent sightings, runs or tracks.

Do you know if I need a rodent control service?

Controlling rodents is essential for any business, particularly those in food processing, hospitality, and healthcare. The presence of rodents can pose severe health risks and legal implications.

Will I need regular rodent control services?

Regular rodent control is essential, depending on your location, environmental risks, and the type of your business. GSG Pest Control provide tailored pest control solutions and advise you on necessary service schedules based on thorough assessments to keep you legally compliant.

Are rodenticides safe for my customers and staff?

Absolutely! GSG Pest Control uses non-toxic methods and products to control rodents that are safe for both pets and humans while ensuring effective rodent control.

How can I prevent rodents from entering my building?

Enforce good housekeeping practices, seal potential entry points, maintain the integrity of the building maintenance, and manage waste responsibly to keep rodents away. GSG Pest Control provides pest proofing and monitoring solutions to further protect your property.