Mole Pest Control in Essex
Moles are small, elusive mammals that can cause big problems when they tunnel through lawns, gardens, farmland, and sports grounds. Their burrowing creates molehills, ridges, and unstable ground, leading to property damage and safety hazards. At Red Pencil Pest Control, we provide professional and humane mole control solutions across Essex, in line with the BPCA Code of Best Practice.
THE BIG 3 QUESTIONS
Moles and Why Do We Need to Control Them?
The European mole (Talpa europaea) lives almost entirely underground, using its powerful front paws to dig complex burrow systems. They have very poor eyesight but an excellent sense of touch and vibration.
Why control is necessary:
- Property damage: Molehills and raised ridges spoil lawns, gardens, golf courses, and sports fields.
- Agricultural risk: Tunnels disturb roots, hinder crop growth, and expose stones that can damage mowing and harvesting machinery.
- Safety concerns: Uneven ground can cause trips, falls, and livestock injuries.
- Rapid activity: A single mole can dig up to 4 metres of tunnel per hour and create six new molehills in just 24 hours.
Although moles don’t spread disease to humans, their impact on land and property makes professional management essential.
How to Identify a MOLE Infestation
Moles are rarely seen above ground, but their presence is easy to spot:
- Fresh molehills: Mounds of loose, damp soil appearing overnight.
- Raised ridges: Lines of disturbed ground across lawns or fields.
- Root disturbance: Damaged young plants or hindered crop growth.
- Machinery risks: Stones pushed to the surface by tunnelling.
- Uneven ground: Hazards for walking, playing, or grazing animals.
Remember: the largest molehill isn’t always the newest, and many molehills don’t necessarily mean many moles.
How We Treat a MOLE Infestation
At Red Pencil Pest Control, we follow BPCA-approved methods to ensure humane, legal, and effective mole control:
- Survey & Risk Assessment: Identify active tunnels and assess risks to people, pets, and property.
- Professional Control Methods:
- Tunnel trapping – proven, mechanical traps placed in active runs.
- Shooting – occasionally used in rural settings where appropriate.
- Animal Welfare Compliance: All work is carried out under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and Wild Mammals Protection Act 1996 to avoid unnecessary suffering.
- Monitoring & Reporting: Regular checks of traps, removal of equipment, and detailed reports provided to clients.
DIY mole deterrents (like flooding tunnels, castor oil, or vibrating devices) have little to no effect. Professional pest control is the only reliable solution.