Opinions differ on moles. For some they are pests, for others they are useful animals that are of great importance for the ecosystem of a garden.
Mole as a pest
Most people are only familiar with the animals because of the mounds of earth that they throw up at regular intervals in an otherwise well-tended lawn. These proverbial molehills have different functions in the life of animals. You serve them
- as sleeping places
- as nests for their young
- as storage or Pantries
- as exit points of a corridor system
- as an air supply for the underground passages
Moles do not throw these hills up to annoy the lawn owner, but because it is simply in their nature and part of their way of life.
Note: Since moles are staunch loners, multiple mounds in the lawn are not evidence of multiple animals. Rather, only one of the underground excavation specialists is likely to settle in the meadow, who simply uses the mound for different purposes
used.The hills and the mole passages below are of course annoying anyway. A sensible and well-tended lawn is out of the question with them. There is also a lot of work involved for the garden owner. Holes in the ground have to be closed again and then sown again with grass seeds. This is of course annoying and also costs money. So it's no wonder that so many garden owners see uninvited guests in moles and mistake them for pests. He finds the animals extremely annoying and sees no benefit in them for himself or his garden.
Mole as a nuisance
If you are honest, you have to admit that moles sometimes disturb our aesthetic feeling with their mound, but otherwise they do no harm.
Note: An animal or Generally an organism that does no harm, but is perceived by people as enormously annoying, is referred to as a so-called annoyance.
It is certainly not wrong to classify moles in the general category of pests - if only because their behavior can piss you off like an animal. To this
In this way it can also be explained why garden owners often spend a lot of time and money to sustainably fight or prevent this annoyance. to expel from your own garden. We'd better leave it open that this is often a wasted effort. As is so often the case, however, pests can also be viewed very differently. You just have to change your perspective a little and then you immediately realize that moles are incredibly useful animals that every garden can benefit from.
Mole as a beneficial insect
You can also see it that way. Talpa europaea, the Latin name for the mole, is first and foremost a clear indication that the ecosystem of a garden is healthy and in balance. In the vast majority of cases, the animals only settle in places where the living and feeding conditions are right for them. It is well known that moles do not eat plants, but primarily feed on
- Earthworms
- Snails
- Caterpillars
- various larvae
- Gnaws
Having these animals in the ground is an unmistakable sign that the ecosystem there is in order. So it can be seen as positive news outright. Incidentally, moles do not pose a real threat to the earthworm population in the garden. Because:
- Earthworms usually multiply very quickly
- Moles only ever eat part of the brood
- they do not jeopardize their continued existence out of self-interest
Control of voles
With moles that have no interest in the vegetables grown
have, you can also fight voles, which are very good for vegetables and fruits such as- celery
- Carrots
- Strawberries
- Onions
interested. Voles also pose a threat to the roots of flowers and trees that should not be underestimated. Roses in particular can suffer considerably from them. Talpa europaea can prevent a vole infestation in the garden and thus considerable damage since before Especially young voles belong to the prey animals of the moles and they like to eat them will.
Useful helpers for gardening
However, moles not only keep insects and voles in balance, they also prove to be very useful garden dwellers in another respect. They help to ensure that loose soil is always available. With their shovel-like front paws, they not only dig their tunnels, they literally sift through the earth with them. Just by doing this digging you have a kind of guarantee for a loose soil, in which the plants can also enjoy. You can also save yourself the use of heavy equipment, since work like
- scarify
- ventilate
- rake
- dig up
are no longer necessary, but are handled by Talpa europaea. This is especially a great advantage because the animals repeat this work every year.
It is therefore wise to see not only the bad sides of moles, but also their good ones.
Tip: Look for the peaceful coexistence with the garden mole and benefit from its positive properties.