{"id":3011,"date":"2021-09-03T09:00:59","date_gmt":"2021-09-03T08:00:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gardenbenches.com\/blog\/?p=3011"},"modified":"2024-08-15T14:14:58","modified_gmt":"2024-08-15T13:14:58","slug":"how-to-get-rid-of-moles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gardenbenches.com\/blog\/how-to-get-rid-of-moles\/","title":{"rendered":"Moles Digging Up Your Garden? Here\u2019s How To Get Rid Of Them"},"content":{"rendered":"

It happens sometimes \u2013 you notice what a gorgeous day it is, venture out into the warm sunshine to work on your treasured garden and eagerly grab your spade, all ready to get stuck in \u2013 only to find that something else has started the digging for you. And they\u2019ve left all their mess behind for you to clean up. Moles are widely considered pests among gardeners and farmers, and though every new mound of soil might spark a bit of rage, there are many ways to free your garden of these little streamlined animals.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

According to the British mole catchers register, there are around 35 \u2013 40 million moles in the U.K<\/span>[i]<\/span><\/a>\u00a0– and sometimes it can feel like every single one is living in your garden! Although they may be a nuisance when you\u2019re trying to make your garden look nice, moles are easy to deter with little effort and zero harm to them or your lawn. So, to help you rid your garden of these critters, we\u2019ve put together some advice to help you get rid of moles for good.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The law on moles<\/span><\/h2>\n

If the cons outweigh the pros in this situation and you still want to get rid of moles, there are certain laws that you have to follow to do so safely.<\/span><\/p>\n

Moles are protected under the\u00a0<\/span>Wild Mammals Protection Act<\/span><\/a>\u00a0of 1996, which declares that any person who \u2018mutilates, kicks, beats, nails or otherwise impales, stabs, burns, stones, crushes, drowns, drags or asphyxiates any wild mammal with intent to inflict unnecessary suffering shall be guilty of an offence.\u2019\u00a0<\/span>[ii]<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If a mole is caught or trapped, it is protected by the\u00a0<\/span>Animal Welfare Act<\/span><\/a>\u00a0of 2006, making \u2018causing unnecessary suffering to an animal, mutilation and poisoning an animal\u2019 an offence.<\/span>[iii]<\/span><\/a>\u00a0Up until 2006, moles could legally be killed using strychnine poison, however, as of 2021, there are no legal chemical repellents that you can use against moles.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Not following these laws can result in a fine of up to \u00a35,000 (potentially even unlimited) or a jail sentence of up to 6 months.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Signs of moles in the garden<\/span><\/h2>\n

Chances are, you already suspect moles are in your garden if you\u2019re here however, there are some certain signs that can help you distinguish a mole infestation. Contrary to popular belief, moles do not hibernate and will remain active throughout the winter months (they can dig as deep as 40 feet below the Earth<\/span>[iv]<\/span><\/a>\u00a0to keep their tunnels well protected from the frost) so these signs could be visible at any time of the year.\u00a0<\/span>Moles tend to be most active between October and April, so you are likely to see more clues around this time.<\/span><\/p>\n