It’s winter time.
Ah, this time of the year has something special for sure. Something about Christmas and the New Year enthusiasm makes this season special.
However, not everything is idyllic.
Like in Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, something hiding in the darkness can also interrupt your happy Christmas, just like Jack and its monsters.
A creature that might already be living with you, and you wouldn’t notice its presence until spring.
We’re talking about…
Moles.
Ah, you’re not scared of moles? Well, probably not scared, but you should be at least concerned about protecting your garden from these little demons during winter.
Out of any joke, you won’t notice the damage they’re causing to your lawn until warm weather comes back.
If you’re wondering why you would need moles protection this winter, we tell you about the damage that moles can cause in your garden if you don’t prevent them on time.
Believe us when we say that these little mammals are the Oogie Boogies of gardens. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.
1. Roads to Hell
You might already know that moles can dig tunnels.
These animals spend most of their lives under the surface, digging tunnels to find food and breed.
What you might not know is that, in winter, they don’t stop their work. They keep digging, even deeper in search of more bearable temperatures.
Because of this, if you have a mole problem, you wouldn’t notice their presence until warmer temperatures return, when moles come up to the surface again. By then, they might have dug under your lawn.
And let us tell you that tunnels are great for moles and also for rodents.
Rats and mice can also use tunnels to move, which can lead them to your garden and to your house.
2. Plant Killers
Another consequence of moles tunneling down in your yard is that they kill your lawn, plants, and even trees.
Moles don’t eat plants, but rather eat worms or other insects.
But when they dig their subterranean pathways, they interrupt root systems and break them, which can immediately cause your grass, flowers, vegetables, and trees to wilt and die.
Moles might not eat greens, but they can kill them for sure.
3. Engineers of Chaos
Another consequence of moles in your garden is that they can destroy irrigation systems.
Their digging can loosen the soil around irrigation pipes, bending and breaking them, and their holes can affect the position of sprinklers in your garden.
The immediate damage of this is that the system won’t be effective, and your lawn will receive water unevenly, watering more some areas and drying others.
Apart from the hidden damage, you will also experience surface damage.
The most noticeable signs of moles’ presence are molehills, from which they can get into the tunnels. These hills are in plain sight.
If you are a dedicated gardener who has spent all this time taking care of your garden, you’ll feel extremely frustrated to see those mountains of earth ruining your landscape above and destroying your property below.
4. The Terror Under Your Feet
Did you think that moles are inoffensive?
Well, technically, they are. They don’t attack humans… directly.
When moles dig, the soil becomes soft and loose, which can make someone fall or twist an ankle if stepping on the right spot.
People also risk falling when stepping on molehills or holes, which is especially worrying at night, or when you have kids or senior residents in the property.
The Ones Terrorizing Your Garden
As you can see, moles are not like the little and funny creatures from Disney animated movies.
When you let moles in, they can destroy your garden both above the ground and also below, damaging your beautiful lawn and plants, breaking irrigation systems, and posing physical threats to every person who steps in your garden.
That’s why preventing moles from coming to your garden during winter is extremely important. As moles dig deeper down the earth during the cold season, they can go unnoticed until spring returns.
If you want to avoid moles during winter, follow these simple tips:
- Avoid providing food by controlling insects and other pests in your garden.
- Do not water too much, for soft earth is easy for moles to dig.
- Set up barriers with rocks and wire mesh.
- Wait until the first frost to set down mulch, as it is a good insulator for plants and for moles as well.
- Call experts in lawn maintenance and pest control to address animals, insects, weeds, and other issues.
Do not let moles turn your garden into a nightmare this winter! Take action to prevent moles and other pests in your garden.