About Moles

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT:

The Mighty Mole!

Moles are fascinating creatures, and while they live almost their entire lives underground, most people have never actually seen one. Even so, we know when a mole has moved into our yard by the damage to the lawn and landscaping. Here in the Pacific Northwest, we mainly deal with three kinds of moles.

A close up of a mole laying in the dirt.

In/out Mole Control

For new or returning clients with an active mole problem, this is the perfect starting point! In this system we do three simple things. We get in. We get the mole problem controlled. We get you into the next stage or pull out, depending on each circumstance.

MOLE CONTROL
A close up of a mole laying in the dirt.

Maintenance Service

We make sure to lay out our first time service price and system in the most transparent way possible. We also give a strong estimate upfront, meaning you know what max amount you may have to pay will be (however, it could be cheaper!). Come visit the "How we charge" page to learn more or contact our office to find out what to expect the easy way.

WHAT WE CHARGE
A close up of a mole laying in the dirt.

Mole Systems & How They Work

Are you interested in how our system works on a visit basis, the way we invoice, or what options we have for long term services? Then check out our "How does it work" section and get the full rundown on what to expect from our service from start to finish!

HOW OUR SERVICES WORK

Service Areas

Not sure if we service your area? Check our service maps and see. If you don't see your city listed but your area looks covered or if you're just not sure, give the office a call, we'll be happy to look it up for you!

SERVICE AREAS

Frequently Asked Questions

Want to learn more about what we do? Nick, owner and founder of Mole Masters, has been in this business for over 30 years. He knows everything there is to know about moles--and then some! We compiled a list of our most frequently asked, weird, common, or memorable questions and the answers might surprise you!

FAQ

All About Moles!

Moles are fascinating creatures and have a lot more to them than meets the eye (especially since they're underground and you usually can't see them). Take a look at this section if you're interested in learning more about the destructive tunnellers we call moles!

LEARN MORE

In/out Mole Control

For new or returning clients with an active mole problem, this is the perfect starting point! In this system we do three simple things. We get in. We get the mole problem controlled. We get you into the next stage or pull out, depending on each circumstance.

MOLE CONTROL

Maintenance Service

We make sure to lay out our first time service price and system in the most transparent way possible. We also give a strong estimate upfront, meaning you know what max amount you may have to pay will be (however, it could be cheaper!). Come visit the "How we charge" page to learn more or contact our office to find out what to expect the easy way.

WHAT WE CHARGE

Where To Start?

A black and white silhouette of a frog on a white background.

The Basics

The basics of moles and what they're all about. If you're not sure where to start, then this is the section for you!

A black and white silhouette of a frog on a white background.

More to Know

More about what kinds of moles we have in the Pacific Northwest and the type of territories they cover.

A black and white silhouette of a frog on a white background.

The Nitty Gritty

Get the deep dirt on moles! Find out how many you might have, what damage they do, and how to prevent them.

Let's Start Off With...

The Basics

You might already know some of the mole basics and you might not. No worries, we're going to go over the important, basic stuff to know now and cover more in the next section.

How Do I Know if I Have a Mole?

The first signs are the obvious dirt piles, called molehills, that pop up in your lawn. These piles of dirt will look like little volcanic eruptions and can be anywhere from a couple inches to a foot in height! The first thing you'll want to do is check if the mounds are fresh. If the mounds are eroded, have growing plants, or are collapsing in on themselves, then it's likely that they're older. Sometimes moles can be present even without molehills! You'll know if this is the case because of the ground. If the ground has a squishy or uneven feel to it, this is caused by active tunnels that get pushed up a few days after being tamped down.

What Does a Mole Even Look Like?

Here in the Pacific Northwest, we only have a few different kinds of moles, all ranging between four and nine inches in length. However, these mole types all share some characteristics:

  • They have tubular bodies and velvety soft fur that’s either gray, brown, or black.
  • Their front paws are much larger than their back ones and are held at an outward angle. This allows for powerful movement through otherwise tough terrain.
  • They have fleshy noses that grant them exceptional smelling abilities, but small eyes that grant very little to no sight (Pacific Northwest moles do seem to have limited sight, however).

What Do Moles Eat?

Moles are insectivores, meaning they primarily eat earthworms, grubs, and other insect larvae. Many people think moles eat plants, but this isn't true. Moles do not eat bulbs, roots, or grains. However, their tunnel systems can damage plant roots. Many small rodents, including herbivores, will take advantage of mole tunnels to feed on the roots.

More About Moles (& Their Territories)

What Types of Moles Are There?

There are quite a few variations of moles throughout the world, but in the Pacific Northwest we're dealing with a basic three. These are the Townsend mole, Pacific mole, and shrew mole, all of which have their own unique characteristics and habitat preferences.

Townsend Mole

Also known as the ‘big bad boy’ of the mole world, the Townsend mole is the largest in North America. It lives along the west coast, primarily in the northwest, and can average between seven and nine inches in length! The Townsend mole’s fur tends to be dark brown and dull black, but in rare cases you might see an albino Townsend mole with white or gray fur.


Townsend Mole's Habitat

The most common mole for Pacific Northwest homeowners to see in their lawns, Townsend mole prefers moist or well-kept areas. The kinds of areas that attract Townsend moles are:

  • Well-manicured / watered lawns
  • Green belts
  • Golf courses
  • Moist fields / pastures
  • Streams / creeks
  • Wetlands
  • Other similar locations

Pacific Mole

The Pacific Mole is often referred to as the coastal mole because of its natural habitat being in the northwest coastal region. This mole tends to be a little smaller than the Townsend mole, but is very similar in appearance (but all moles look pretty similar, to be fair). Usually, they only tend to get between six and seven inches in total length. Similar to the Townsend mole, they tend to have brown to dull black fur.


Pacific Mole's Habitat

Unlike the Townsend mole, the Pacific mole has a love for much drier areas. You'll normally find Pacific moles in:

  • Forests or heavily-wooded areas
  • Dry fields / pastures (usually larger)
  • Dry tops of cliffs or hillsides (usually with a creek / stream below or nearby)

Shrew Mole

Out of the three types of mole in the Pacific Northwest, the shrew mole is the hardest to catch. The smallest of northwest moles, the shrew mole can range between three and four inches in length.. These are the smallest moles in America and only seem to be found very rarely outside of the Pacific Northwest. They’re called shrew moles due to their similarity in appearance to shrews (not to be confused with mole shrews, which are shrews named for their similarity in appearance to moles). Their forepaws aren’t as large as their northwest counterparts so their mole hills are a lot smaller and sometimes even unnoticeable. They like to come above ground more often as well, and because of this shrew moles are often confused with voles or “weird, tailless mice” when seen.


Townsend Mole's Habitat

The shrew mole's habitat, much like the mole itself, is very different from that of its counterparts. They prefer softer soils with decent moisture. Places you'll find the shrew mole include:

  • Rainforests (usually, the soil is softer, deeper, and moist)
  • Moist brush, vegetation, or weed-covered areas
  • Mulchy and garden-like areas

Now it's time to get down to the...

Nitty Gritty

So, you know the basics about moles. You know about the kinds of moles you might have in your lawn. What do you do about it? Here, we'll cover the damage moles can do, things to avoid, and how to deal with them in the best way!

  • How many moles do I have?

    This is a hard question to answer accurately. Some sources will tell you to expect one mole per acre, but that's not quite right. The reality of it is that there are a LOT of factors, but a trained eye's look over the property can give you a strong idea. Here are the questions we ask ourselves when assessing a property:


    1. How much activity do you have? Is it in one area, or in several smaller spots? If left untreated, or if a particularly active mole moves in, molehills can pop up quickly. Fortunately, they'll usually be in one area per mole. If mole activity is popping up on opposite sides of a larger yard, or looks to be coming in from different directions, it's likely different moles.
    2. How's your lawn? Is it lush, green, well-cared for, with softer soil? If so, then you probably have a good feeding ground for moles and your lawn could be luring them in.
    3. What's around you? Living next to mole breeding grounds can be quite common in the Pacific Northwest. If you live next to a green belt, a forest, a stream, or a wetland, you're likely dealing with invasive moles. Unfortunately, that means you’ll be dealing with moles on your property a lot more often.
  • What kind of damage can moles do?

    Many people think that mole damage is purely aesthetic, or at the very least, only cause minimal damage to your property. Those people could not be more wrong. Moles can affect every part of your property and they cause a ton of damage that most people don't even think about!


    1. Watch out for your plants. While moles don't go after plants or their roots as a food source, their tunnels can still be damaging. Their tunnels expose the roots which not only dries them out, but it also attracts herbivorous rodents looking for a meal!
    2. Tunnels DON'T go away...and yes, it’s the worst. Even worse than molehills. Not only are the tunnels used by future moles, but they lead to lumpy lawns. Even after the moles are gone, the tunnels remain a burden that harbor other pests like mice, rats, voles, spiders, and even snakes!
    3. Worried about mole activity affecting foundations and structures? Unfortunately, this is a valid concern to have. Normally, mole damage to above-ground structures is minimal, but excessive mole activity can actually hurt fence foundations, driveways, and even buildings!
  • How do I stop moles?

    We've tried everything out there (and keep trying the new stuff as it shows up)! So far we've only found one actual tried and true solution; underground devices stop moles in their tracks. Effective mole exterminators like Mole Masters use these underground devices, although that's not all there is to know about moles...


    1. Poisons are lies! There are many types of pests that poisons can help with, like insects, spiders, rats, or mice, but moles aren't one of them. Moles have an incredibly keen sense of smell, and can usually avoid poisons without issue unless potentially dangerously excessive amounts are applied. More often than not, the poisons are only effective when they taint the local ecosystem, making the mole’s food source undesirable. Keep in mind that this impacts other animals. Birds, rodents, pets, and even people can potentially be exposed to tainted worms, bugs, or grubs (and other things affected by the poison). If at all possible, it's wise to avoid poisons when dealing with moles.
    2. Live traps are cruel. For those considering live traps, don't. In above ground animals, these are understandable and viable options. For moles, they're monstrous. If you can even catch one in a live trap, it’ll only starve to death due to the mole’s high metabolism.
    3. Well, what am I supposed to use? Simple! Use the old-fashioned devices found in most hardware and garden stores. They're tried, true, tested over years in the field, and they don't have the negative effects of its competition. If you're not comfortable setting a device like these, then there's probably a company like ours nearby that can do it for you!