The battle between moles and homeowners has gone on for hundreds of years. They are persistent little critters that live below the dirt, and create a plethora of problems for homes and landscapes. You can tell you have a mole infestation on your property when you regularly spot small volcano-shaped dirt mounds or vein-like surface tunnels in your yard or gardens. This is a sure-sign that yard moles are present. Although yard moles are pesky lawn nuisances that we wish would just go away, there are a few interesting facts to learn about them in the process. Continue reading to learn some of these facts, and how to get rid of yard moles.
The Animal Called the Mole
Moles are small mammals that are shaped like a long cylinders. They have soft, dark, velvety fur, and their eyes and ears are incredibly small. They have powerful forepaws and an extra thumb they use to dig their way through the ground and create tunnels to feed and breed in. There are even other classifications of mole species, like the star-nosed mole, golden moles, and marsupial moles.
The mole’s diet mostly consists of earthworms and other types of invertebrates found in soil. They also eat nuts. These food sources have ample amounts of nutrients and protein to keep a mole digging all day long. One fun fact is that a mole’s saliva contains a toxin that paralyzes its prey. This lets them store their food while still alive, as to keep it fresh and nutritious. Before eating a worm, moles use their paws to squeeze out the dirt inside its gut!
February through May is the prime breeding season for moles, so homeowners can expect a mole problem to pop up in the summer. Gestation periods typically last around forty days, rendering two to five pups at a time. Male moles will tunnel through other mole tunnels, releasing a high-pitched squeal, in order to find a “mole-mate”. Males are called boars and females are called sows. Just like pigs!A group of moles is referred to as a labor.
Another interesting fact about moles is that they can breathe higher levels of carbon dioxide compared to other mammals. This is because their blood cells contain a special hemoglobin protein that lets them survive in low-oxygen environments. This makes them perfect subterranean creatures.
If you have a mole problem, and need animal mole removal, be sure to call a professional wildlife rescue company for safe and humane animal control. There is never a reason to harm or kill any nuisance animal, no matter how much of a bother they are. Licensed wildlife removal contractors retain the proper resources, equipment, and training to safely and humanely remove moles and relocate them to a faraway habitat.
Wildlife Animal Removal of Indianapolis
Call Wildlife Animal Removal at 317-257-2290 for professional animal mole removal in Indianapolis, Indiana. We are DNR licensed and insured animal control specialists with decades of experience in the wildlife rescue and control industry. We offer free estimates, animal proofing, emergency services, and much more. Call 317-257-2290 and speak directly with a licensed and knowledgeable Indianapolis wildlife removal and control contractor today.