The mole is one of the earth’s most misunderstood creatures. Their faces may look unsettling when they accidentally pop up from their burrows, but they are 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 their subterranean life. They create extensive tunnel systems underneath the soil and feast on insects, grubs, and earthworms. Some of their tunnels extend through entire bushes or alongside garden rows, protecting them from predators.
Contrary to popular belief, moles aren’t rodents. They have small and sharp incisors, canines, premolar, and molar teeth like other mammals, perfect for penetrating an unlucky insect’s exoskeleton.
Moles are mostly peaceful creatures. If you try to handle or corner one, it might attack with a little nibble. However, mole bites are rare.
Can Moles Bite Pets?
Your pets are more likely to encounter a mole than you will. When confronted by a dog or cat, a mole’s preference will be to scurry underground before a skirmish begins.
Just as moles could bite if a human provokes them, they could do the same for a pet. But a mole’s teeth are designed to chew on insects rather than defend itself. Your pet would probably kill a mole before it has a 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 typically aren’t serious, you should treat them seriously if they occur.
Because moles live in the dirt, they carry bacteria. However, their fine fur and soft skin lets them dig ergonomically and help keep them clean. Although there are no known transferable diseases between moles and humans, moles sometimes carry fleas and ticks and can spread germs through third-party hitchhikers. This is especially true if you live in a heavily forested area, where Lyme disease is a risk.
If a mole bites 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 antisocial animals. Simply being close to a human can cause the animal to feel attacked. The best way to stop a mole bite from happening: leave the mole alone.
Will Moles Eat My Garden?
Moles damage gardens by digging through yards in search of food. They don’t usually venture to the surface to gnaw on plants, but they will eat through any roots that get in the way of their tunnels. This creates ground-level weak spots and, sometimes, sinkage.
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, there is some benefit to having them around. They eat termites and garden pests and can help control the insect population. They also aerate the soil, which can help plant growth and nutrient absorption.
How To Control Moles Humanely
If you’re dealing with a troublesome mole, there are a few humane methods to discourage its digging near your garden. They include:
- 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 spread fragrant coffee grounds 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: Subterranean 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Moles
In the rare case that a mole bites you, 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.
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.
It’s best not to handle a mole. They’re solitary animals that don’t like humans. They may bite in self-defense, so it’s best to leave them alone.
Moles like areas with plenty of insect prey, like grubs and earthworms. Well-drained, loose soil is also ideal for tunneling. Strong scents often deter moles, and many mole repellents have a strong odor.
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 the soil. You may also notice damaged or dying patches of grass and plant roots getting exposed because of a mole’s burrowing.
