How many moles are in my garden? A guide to understanding moles and their tunnel systems

Have you spotted molehills in your garden? Perhaps you’ve even managed to catch a mole, only to see more mounds appear. If so, you’re probably wondering just how many moles share a single tunnel system. You’ve read online and in books that moles are solitary creatures, but is that really the whole story?

It’s confusing when the piles of dirt keep growing despite you having caught one mole. With your lawn taking a beating, you know you need to act fast. But are there more of them lurking in those subterranean tunnels?

How many moles actually share the same network of tunnels? Answering this question is key to understanding their behavior and implementing effective strategies to manage them.

This article aims to give you a complete answer by exploring the social and territorial life of moles and the intricate structure of their tunnels. We’ll also debunk common myths about flooding or gassing mole tunnels before we wrap up with some of the best practices for dealing with these fascinating creatures.

1.The social life and territory of moles

The simple answer to “how many moles per tunnel system?” is that it’s usually just one. However, there are exceptions depending on the environment.

That solitary behavior is a fundamental characteristic of moles, and if you read about it in a book, the book was telling you the truth.

• Solitary and Territorial: The European mole (Talpa europaea) is a highly unsociable animal. They are solitary and fiercely territorial, even fighting with other moles to defend their space from intruders.
• Individual Territories: Each mole has its own hunting grounds, a well-defined territory that can range from 600 to 900 square meters. This large area provides them with enough food to hunt daily and store reserves. A mole definitely doesn’t want other moles on its turf, but as we’ll see, it’s not always so clear-cut.
• Main Tunnels: Main tunnels, on the other hand, can be used by multiple moles. This is the crucial detail. These main tunnels can connect several different mole networks. So, if there’s a main tunnel in your garden, it might mean there are as many moles as there are networks linked to it. These deeper, permanent pathways act as a kind of highway, connecting different territories and occasionally being used by more than one mole.

2.Figuring out how many moles you have

Real-World Example: Trapping by QuickTaupe

Near Lille in northern France, a garden under 1000m² was suddenly covered in molehills. We stepped in and caught 5 moles in just a 70m² area, and we knew there were more still to be caught. We’ll be checking the remaining traps at the end of the week.

Catching 5 moles in such a small space proves that moles do, in fact, share their main tunnels.

We saw a similar situation at the Château de Bondue, where we trapped 3 moles from a cluster of just 3 molehills under a single fir tree. The tunnel there was clearly being shared by all three.

Estimating the number of moles

When you’re trying to figure out how many moles are in a tunnel system, it’s important to know that the number doesn’t just depend on the size of your garden. You can’t assume that if you have a 600m² garden, you only have one mole. It’s more complicated than that.

Does the number of molehills tell you how many moles are in your garden? Not at all. One mole can dig hundreds of molehills on its own, but you could also have 50 molehills with 8 moles living beneath them.

To truly understand how many moles you have, you need to consider the food source. If your garden is rich in earthworms, moles won’t need many tunnels. In this case, you could have a lot of moles with only a few molehills.

Conversely, in a garden that lacks food, moles will need to dig many more tunnels to find food, resulting in a lot more molehills.

The best way to know for sure is to set traps and catch them. As long as they’re living underground, you can’t just guess their number like you’re following a recipe.

We’ve developed a small tool on our site to help you estimate the number of moles in your garden. But remember, it’s just an estimate—you could have many more, which is why it’s so important to act quickly.

3.The structure and layout of mole tunnels

To get a clear picture of how many moles you have, you need to understand the complex design of these underground networks. A mole tunnel diagram reveals a well-defined system with different types of tunnels for specific purposes.

Types of Tunnels:

• Main Tunnels: These are semi-permanent and are typically less than 15 cm deep, though they can go down to 50 cm. They serve as travel and drainage routes and are used by multiple moles.
• Hunting Tunnels: These are temporary, shallow tunnels (just a few centimeters deep) used by a single mole to forage for food. They are constantly being dug and renewed.
• Surface Tunnels: These tunnels aren’t reused and are generally created by male moles in search of females.

Here’s a photo example of a tunnel that goes 50 centimeters deep.

Network Length: A single network can be up to 100 to 200 meters long. This impressive length is a testament to the mole’s tireless activity and its constant search for food.

Molehills: These characteristic mounds of dirt are where moles push out excess soil. They also help to ventilate the tunnel system and drain moisture. The term “mole tunnel diagram” can also refer to the pattern of these mounds.

4.How moles dig their tunnels

A mole’s ability to create such complex tunnels is all thanks to its physical adaptations and digging techniques.

Physical Adaptations: A mole’s front paws are short and broad with powerful claws, making them perfect for digging. Their cylindrical body and dense, silky fur also help them move easily through tight tunnels.

• Digging Speed: Thanks to these features, a mole can dig up to 20 meters of tunnels per day, at a speed of 10 to 15 meters per hour in average soil. This incredible performance highlights the immense energy they pour into building and maintaining their underground home. Their physical attributes and efficient digging techniques are the true answer to how a mole digs its tunnel.
• Aeration and Drainage: By creating a network of tunnels, moles also help to aerate and drain the soil, which can improve its overall quality.

5.How to find a mole’s main tunnels

To effectively deal with a mole problem, you need to be able to locate and find the main tunnels.

Surface Clues:

• Molehill Alignment: Molehills are usually spaced out and dome-shaped. Their alignment can trace the path of the main tunnels.
• “Earth Sausages”: Long ridges of soil on the surface are a sign of recent activity and could indicate a tunnel being built.

Finding the Main Tunnel:

• Probing: Use a metal rod or a stiff stick to probe the ground between molehills to locate the tunnels. The rod will sink more easily when it hits an empty space.
• Observation: Look for tunnels that are quickly refilled after being opened. These are typically the main tunnels, which the mole uses frequently. Knowing how to find a mole’s main tunnel is a crucial skill.

6.Consequences and managing mole tunnels

The presence of moles and their tunnels can have both positive and negative effects on your garden.

Why Moles Dig:

• Hunting: The primary reason moles dig tunnels is to hunt for food. Their diet consists mainly of earthworms, insect larvae, and other small invertebrates.
• Pantry: Tunnels also act as traps and storage areas for prey, allowing the mole to build up food reserves for leaner times.

Consequences for the Garden:

• Nuisance: The mounds of dirt (molehills) are often considered unsightly and can make mowing the lawn difficult.

• How to Get Rid of Moles:
  Trapping: This is the most effective technique and is used by professional mole catchers. “Cauet” style traps are known for their effectiveness.
  Solutions to Avoid: Chemical poisons and dangerous objects like rosebush stems or barbed wire.

7.Flooding or gassing mole tunnels: myths vs. reality

People often talk about flooding or gassing mole tunnels, but their effectiveness is highly questionable.

• Flooding Tunnels:
  Largely Ineffective: It takes a massive amount of water and a very flat garden for the water to spread through the entire network. Moles are excellent swimmers and can hold their breath for several minutes, so this solution is completely useless.
  Gassing Tunnels:
  Largely Ineffective: The smoke may not reach every tunnel, especially the deeper ones. A mole will simply block off a tunnel as soon as it senses a threat.
  Risks: The products used to gas tunnels can be toxic to the environment and to pets.

8.Moles: surface tunnels and tunnel depth

The depth of a mole tunnel is a key characteristic to consider. Hunting tunnels are typically close to the surface, while main tunnels are deeper. The depth of the tunnels varies depending on their purpose.

9.Mole tunnel or vole tunnel?

It’s important to distinguish between a mole tunnel and one dug by a vole (Arvicola terrestris). Although both animals live underground, their tunnels have different features. Volehills are flatter and less uniform than molehills. It’s crucial to be able to tell the difference between a mole tunnel and a vole tunnel.

10.Conclusion

To sum up, while a single mole usually occupies one tunnel system, exceptions do exist. The complex structure of their tunnels, their digging methods, and the effects they have on our gardens are all important factors to consider for effective and humane management.

Understanding the social structure of moles is essential for choosing the right approach. Traditional trapping, the preferred method of professionals, remains the most effective way to control mole populations.

Feel free to share your own experiences or contact a professional mole catcher for expert advice. Together, we can find lasting solutions that allow us to coexist with these fascinating animals while keeping our gardens beautiful.

Knowing how many moles you have will ultimately help you decide if and when you need to act.