ProPest provides mole control in Oxford and across Oxfordshire for gardens, lawns and managed grounds. We assess fresh molehills, tunnelling and the impact on the area before recommending whether professional mole trapping is appropriate. Several molehills do not necessarily mean several moles.
The mole found in Britain is the European mole, Talpa europaea. It spends most of its life underground, using strong forelimbs to create tunnels and pushing excavated soil to the surface as molehills.
Moles feed on earthworms and other soil-dwelling invertebrates, rather than eating plant roots. Tunnelling can nevertheless disturb roots and the surface of a lawn. They are territorial, and activity in a small garden may be caused by one animal.
For independent information about the species, see the RHS guide to moles.
Moles need loose, moist soil and a steady supply of food.
They are active year-round and do not hibernate. Moles remain mostly underground, and their presence is usually indicated by the molehills and ridged tunnels they leave behind.
Moles are insectivores, primarily feeding on earthworms, grubs, and various soil insects. They have a high metabolic rate and consume a large amount of food relative to their size.
Moles are not directly dangerous to humans as they tend to avoid contact. However, their digging can cause significant damage to lawns, gardens, and agricultural land. Molehills and ridges can ruin the aesthetic of a lawn and create tripping hazards.
The most obvious sign of a mole infestation is the presence of molehills – piles of soil brought to the surface as moles dig their tunnels. You might also notice raised ridges across your lawn, indicating the presence of mole tunnels just below the surface. Areas of your lawn may feel unusually soft or spongy due to the extensive tunnelling underground.
Moles are part of the wider garden environment. Where activity can be tolerated, levelling disturbed soil and keeping surfaces usable may be sufficient. Where damage is affecting the use of a lawn or managed ground, an inspection can help determine the next step.
A deterrent may shift activity rather than resolve it. ProPest assesses active runs and the extent of disturbance before recommending control, rather than relying on a general promise that a scent or device will keep moles away.
Our mole service starts with an assessment of the affected ground and signs of current activity. We discuss the impact on the garden or grounds and whether a trapping programme is appropriate.
Where control is agreed, the work targets suitable active runs. Follow-up checks allow the technician to review activity and the progress of the programme. Tell us about children, pets, regular garden use and any restrictions on access before work starts.
New molehills can appear elsewhere or after a period without activity, so the agreed programme and monitoring arrangements should be clear before booking. Treatment cannot guarantee that another mole will never enter the area.
This is part of Integrated Pest Management: assess the problem, choose a proportionate response and review the result. ProPest also covers Abingdon, Didcot, Kidlington, Witney, Bicester and Thame.
Find local mole-control information for your town, or browse all Oxfordshire areas covered. We assess the evidence and property before recommending suitable control and prevention measures.
Read about our Integrated Pest Management approach to inspection, prevention and follow-up.