Do Moles Hibernate?

With the cold temperatures and frozen ground, you may wonder that although they don’t hibernate, do they remain active during winter? Unfortunately, the short answer to that question is yes. While you might not be able to see the usual tell-tale signs of mole activity in the winter months, they won’t have gone far.

Rather than digging right up to and through the surface, they prefer to dig deeper in the ground where the soil is softer and looser. This way, moles can stay at a moderate temperature and carry on getting their fill of worms and other insects, allowing them to survive the winter and return closer to the surface when the soil thaws again.

In the summer months there are a few tell tale signs that you have moles in your garden such as heaps of soil appearing on your lawn or flowerbeds, also known as Molehills. Their tunnelling can also disturb roots in vegetable and flower plots.

The average lifespan of a garden mole is 3 to 5 years. They are generally very territorial creatures and tend to live alone, so if you do see signs of mole activity in your garden then there is likely to be only one culprit. The exception to this is during mating season (February – April), and the pups are not with their mothers for very long before they are forced to leave.

It is also important to know that vacant tunnel systems are often taken over by another mole from a nearby area.

There are several ways to remove moles from your garden, but it should be carried out by a professional pest controller to ensure it is done in the most humane and effective way.