Mole trapping & pest control, call the mole man Hereford & Mid Wales
the mole man
mole trapping, hereford
Due to our recent wet and mild winters, the mole population has exploded across Herefordshire, South Shropshire and Mid Wales. With the average life span of a European common mole (or, 'Garden Mole') being around four years, and having very few natural predators, there are now estimated to be more than 35 million moles in the UK according to the British Mole Catchers Register, of which Surepest are long-time members.
The damage and financial loss caused by even a very limited number of Garden Moles can be considerable. Lawns, orchards, paddocks, sports fields, golf courses, vegetable plots & farmland are all vulnerable to their excavations.
call pestline! 07837 793 963
A single mole can excavate up to 100 metres a day given the right soil conditions. . . hence the need for the tried, tested and traditional mole trapping techniques applied by 'the Mole Man' from Surepest in Hereford. Surepest NEVER use chemical control for moles.
BONUS: Discover more about common molesThe common or garden mole is 15 to 20cm long, with grey to black velvety fur, a cylindrical body and very powerful, shovel-like, front limbs. . . allowing them to burrow up to 100 metres every night!
Moles live most of their lives underground where they exist on a diet of earthworms and other soil invertebrates. Consider; Moles are known to eat every four hours, day and night, with a single 80g mole consuming about 50g of worms a day, to the detriment of the soil!
The principle signs of a mole infestation are raised ridges and mounds of loose, excavated earth (commonly known as molehills). Apart from making turf look unsightly and difficult to mow, this burrowing can also lead to subsidence, especially on lighter soils, and can cause considerable damage to lawns and playing surfaces. Although moles do not feed directly on turf grasses, their activities undermine the root system of the plants.
Notoriously difficult to catch, moles are well protected in their complex underground tunnels because, despite their eyesight being poor, moles are extraordinarily sensitive to smell and vibration. Once moles detect a potential threat, they retreat at remarkable speed to the safety of their deepest runs.
Moles dig two types of tunnel, both around 4cm or 5cm in diameter and several hundred metres long. . . those immediately beneath the surface are dug by males looking for females during the breeding season (February to June), with deeper tunnels up to 20cm beneath the surface used for breeding and feeding. The unsightly molehills on the surface are their means of disposing of excavated soil.
Nest sites are marked by large molehills, where females produce litters of three to five young. Apart from the breeding season, moles lead solitary lives. . . but one animal can be responsible for visible activity over a surprisingly large area. Plus, vacant tunnel systems are often re-colonised by another mole from an adjacent area!
Life cycle: The moles' main breeding season is from February to June, each female rearing about 4 young in an underground nest. The young moles leave the nest after a few months and go on to establish their own tunnel systems.
Moles thrive in a variety of situations, but attacks are more likely in sandy, free-draining soils and in turf areas that are poorly maintained or have little use. Activity in gardens is greatest during late winter and early spring, where turf areas provide an ideal source for moles in the form of earthworms; creating a direct link between worm populations and the amount of mole activity.
For information: Surepest in Hereford use trapping as a preferred means of capture. Surepest do NOT use any form of chemical control in either domestic or commercial settings and The Pest Man is a member of the Guild of British Mole Catchers.
CLICK OR TAP HERE TO CLOSE THIS INFO
treatment options
New tunnels can appear at any time of the year, but trapping is most effective in late winter and early spring (or after wet weather), when moles are particularly active.
If you have any questions, call Cliff Howard on the pest line number below for an informal chat. . . and his professional advice.
call pest line! 07837 793 963
likely fees & charges
Initial visit and trap laying (in a domestic setting): £60
Plus; £15 per mole, whilst traps remain in the ground.
For large area control, see the AGRICULTURAL PESTS page.
The recent increase in fuel costs means that a surcharge of £10 may be payable for site visits over 15 miles from Hereford.
BONUS: Click to find your location's distanceThe following towns and villages are all less than 20 mile from Hereford and are NOT subject to a fuel surcharge: Ross on Wye, Ledbury, Kingstone, Eardisley, Bromyard, Weobley, Leominster, Hay on Wye, Ewyas Harold and most of the Forest of Dean.
Just slightly beyond the 20 miles, but still well within Surepest's service area are; Tewksbury, Gloucester, Worcester, Newent, Monmouth and most of Mid Wales.
CLICK HERE TO CLOSE THIS INFO
SITE MAP:
FACEBOOK:
