With the help of Valor Pest Solutions, no matter the season, you can count on a pest-free home. But, if you’ve never used professional pest control, odds are, some pests—like moles—are still busy disrupting your property despite the cold. 

So, what happens to moles during the winter? Do they hibernate for some of the cold months? Do they remain active? When the winter chill sets in, where do they go? 

Mole Behavior and Activity

Moles spend most of their lives underground. They are well-known for their extensive tunneling abilities. Those tunnels serve as their homes, hunting grounds, and escape routes from predators. Their tunnels can often be a nuisance, as they break up and damage your yard. Understanding their behavior is crucial for effective mole control. Here are some key facts about mole behavior and activity:

• Menu: Insects make up the bulk of moles’ food supply. These pests feed on a variety of bugs, including earthworms, grubs, and lawn insects. They also eat small vertebrates, such as mice and snakes, and occasionally consume plant material.
• Body type: Moles have a unique, cylindrical body shape that allows them to move quickly through tight spaces. Their slender, pointed snouts and short, sparsely haired tails make them well-suited for burrowing.
• Behaviors: Moles are expert diggers, using their powerful front legs and long claws to dig complex networks of tunnels and chambers. They can move up to 18 feet of soil in a single hour, creating mole mounds and tunnels that can be up to 12 inches deep.
• Activity: Moles are active throughout the year. They are most active at night but can also be seen during the day, especially in areas with loose soil. This constant activity can lead to noticeable mole damage in your yard as they search for food and create new tunnels.

What Do Moles Do in the Winter?

Unlike many animals that enter a state of hibernation during winter, moles are not hibernators. Here’s what happens to moles during the cold season:

• Year-Round Activity: Moles remain active throughout the winter because their underground tunnels offer a stable environment. 
• Deeper Burrowing: When the ground above starts to freeze, moles may dig deeper to find warmer, unfrozen soil. 
• Reduced Surface Activity: Although they’re active all year, you might notice less mole activity on the surface of your yard during winter. The colder weather can mean fewer insects and worms near the surface, prompting moles to hunt in the deeper, warmer layers of soil.

Moles have evolved to thrive underground, even in winter. Their unique burrowing habits allow them to maintain body heat. Despite the above-ground temperature, their network of tunnels minimizes their exposure to cold. They’re also able to conserve energy by slowing down their activities in the winter.

Mole Problems: Why Keeping Moles Around (Even in Winter) is a Bad Idea

Moles create molehills, also known as mole mounds, as they dig tunnels. These mounds can be up to 2 feet in diameter and 6 inches high and are often surrounded by a ring of loose soil. Mole hills are a clear sign that moles have turned your yard into their home.

Because of their tunneling habit, moles can cause significant damage to lawns, gardens, and landscaping, especially if their tunnels and mounds are ignored. They can disrupt root systems, causing plants to die, and they can turn well-planned flowerbeds into a muddy mess. Mole behavior may change with the seasons, but their tunneling abilities remain a nuisance year-round.

Preventing Nature’s Underground Engineers: Tips for Mole Control

Since moles are active year-round, proactive measures are the way to go when it comes to eliminating moles. Controlling moles isn’t an easy feat, as these pests are particularly resilient and hard to catch, but these preventative measures can save you from dealing with extensive mole damage:

• Maintain healthy soil by controlling lawn insects and decreasing their food supply.
• Contact the experts at Valor Pest Solutions for effective mole control.

Don’t assume the moles have left if you notice fewer surface tunnels; they’re likely just burrowing deeper. 

Why You Want Professional Mole Control

At Valor Pest Solutions, we understand the importance of balancing wildlife appreciation with effective property management. If you’re dealing with mole issues or simply want to learn more about these creatures, feel free to reach out to us. We’re always happy to share our expertise and help you create a better environment.