The humble mole is one of the most misunderstood creatures out there. Sure, their faces may look unsettling when they accidentally pop up from their burrows, but the truth is moles are incredibly solitary creatures that rarely interact with humans. If you’re wondering about whether moles bite or pose a direct threat to you and your home, read on to learn more.
Our guides on mole traps and mole poisons can help you evict troublesome moles.
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Do Moles Bite People?
Moles have powerful front claws and streamlined bodies that make them perfectly suited for a subterranean lifestyle. They create extensive tunnel systems underneath the soil to find insects, grubs, and earthworms to snack on. Some extend through entire bushes or alongside garden rows, which let them protect themselves from predators.
Contrary to popular belief, moles aren’t rodents. They have small and sharp incisors, canines, premolar, and molar teeth just like other mammals. None are particularly large or menacing. Instead, they’re more equipped to penetrate an unlucky insect’s exoskeleton.
Moles are mostly peaceful creatures. If you try to handle one improperly or corner it with no escape route, it could attack with a little nibble. However, given their solitary lifestyle, mole bites are quite rare in practice.
Can Moles Bite Pets?
Your pets will likely encounter more moles than you will. If a dog starts barking and chasing after a mole, or if a curious cat accidentally disturbs a mole tunnel, it’ll usually scurry back underground to avoid confrontation.
Just as moles could bite if a human provokes them, they could also do the same for a pet. However, a mole’s teeth are designed to chew on insects rather than defend itself. Your pet would probably kill a mole before it has the chance to bite back.
To minimize the chance of a mole encounter, keep your pets supervised when they’re outdoors, and train dogs not to dig around areas where you know moles have built tunnels.
Are Mole Bites Dangerous?
Even though mole bites aren’t generally serious, you should still take them seriously as if it were any other wild animal.
It’s common to assume that since moles dwell in dirt, they might carry around a slew of bacteria. However, their soft, velvety skin and fine fur lets them dig ergonomically and helps keep them clean.
There are no known transferable diseases between moles and humans, but they can sometimes carry fleas or ticks that do spread our way. This is especially true if you live in a heavily forested area, where Lyme disease is a risk.
If a mole does bite you, clean the wound thoroughly with soap and water. Apply an antiseptic and cover the area with a clean bandage to prevent infections. If you develop concerning symptoms after the bite, seek medical attention.
Moles are some of the most antisocial animals, and so by simply being close enough to a human to bite, this animal might feel attacked. The best way to stop a mole attack from happening: leave the mole alone.
Will Moles Eat My Garden?
Moles can damage gardens by digging through your yard in search of food. They probably won’t venture out to the surface to gnaw on your plants, but they will eat through any roots that get in the way of their tunnels. This can create weak spots in the ground and perhaps even sinkage above ground.
The most visible sign of mole activity is the raised ridges and mounds of soil they create coming up through your lawn. With a mole’s subterranean lifestyle, these are usually accidental, and you can fill them back up and reseed the areas as necessary.
While moles can be annoying sometimes, there is some benefit to having them around. They eat termites and garden pests, and can help control the population of beneficial insects. They also aerate the soil, which can help plant growth and nutrient absorption.
How to Control Moles Humanely
While moles can be annoying sometimes, there is some benefit to having them around. They eat termites and garden pests, and can help control the population of beneficial insects. They also help aerate the soil, which aids plant growth and nutrient absorption.
However, if you’re dealing with a troublesome mole, there are a few humane methods to discourage its digging near your garden. They include the following:
- Castor oil-based repellents: Castor oil upsets a mole’s stomach, but doesn’t kill it.
- Strongly-scented items: Moles don’t like strong smells. You can plant flowers like daffodils and marigolds to deter moles, or use fragrant foods like ground coffee or garlic.
- Do some hardscaping: Use gravel or rocks in strategic locations around your flowerbeds to make a barrier moles find hard to penetrate.
- Install an underground fence: Underground fencing and mesh can stop moles from entering a specific area.
If you’re dealing with constant mole holes in your yard and DIY methods are unsuccessful, contact a pest control service that can help develop a more aggressive strategy against the moles.
Frequently Asked Questions About Moles
What happens if a mole bites you?
In the very rare case a mole does bite, you’ll likely just have some small puncture wounds and minor bleeding. Properly clean the bite, apply antibiotic ointment, and watch for any signs of infection, though this is highly unlikely from a mole bite.
Are yard moles dangerous?
No, yard moles are not dangerous creatures. They avoid confrontation with humans and pets, and their tiny size and weak jaws make them harmless aside from damaging lawn and plant roots while burrowing.
Can I pick up a mole?
It’s best not to. Moles are solitary animals that don’t appreciate being handled. They may try to bite in self-defense, so it’s best to leave them alone.
What attracts and repels moles?
Moles are attracted to areas with plenty of their insect prey, like grubs and earthworms. Well-drained, loose soil is also ideal for tunneling. Repellents often contain strong scents that deter moles, though some cause stomach upset.
What are the signs of a mole infestation?
The primary signs of moles in your yard are the presence of raised tunnel ridges across the lawn and piles of loose dirt where moles have pushed up soil. You may also notice damaged or drying patches of grass and plant roots getting exposed due to their burrowing activities.