Do Moles Dig Deeper Tunnels During the Winter?

Moles can dig deeper tunnels during winter, particularly when cold weather causes the upper layers of soil to freeze or become less suitable for feeding. However, they do not automatically move underground to escape the cold. Their tunnelling behaviour is mainly influenced by soil conditions and the location of their food.

The European mole (Talpa europaea), commonly found throughout much of the UK, remains active all year round. Moles do not hibernate during winter, although they may spend more time using established deeper tunnels when conditions near the surface become less favourable.

Why Do Moles Tunnel Deeper in Winter?

Moles feed primarily on earthworms and other soil-dwelling invertebrates. When temperatures fall and the ground begins to freeze, earthworms may move deeper into the soil, where conditions remain more suitable for survival.

Moles can follow these changes in food availability by using deeper sections of their tunnel networks. Deeper tunnels also provide relatively stable temperatures compared with the exposed upper layers of soil.

However, winter tunnelling depth varies depending on the weather. During mild, wet periods, earthworms may remain close to the surface, allowing moles to continue feeding in shallower tunnels.

How Deep Do Mole Tunnels Go?

Mole tunnels vary considerably in depth depending on their purpose. Shallow feeding tunnels may run just a few centimetres beneath the surface, sometimes creating visible ridges across lawns and garden beds.

More permanent tunnels are generally deeper and may extend tens of centimetres underground. These provide routes between feeding areas and access to sheltered nesting chambers.

There is no single depth that moles reach during winter. Soil type, moisture levels, frost and the availability of earthworms all influence how deep they need to dig.

Are Moles Still Active During Winter?

Yes, moles remain active throughout the winter months. Unlike hedgehogs and some other British mammals, they do not enter a prolonged period of hibernation.

Moles have a high energy requirement and need to feed regularly. They continue searching for earthworms and other invertebrates, using existing tunnels and creating new ones when necessary.

Their activity may be less noticeable during cold weather because much of their movement takes place deeper underground. This can give the impression that moles have disappeared, even when they are still living beneath the garden.

Why Do Molehills Appear During Winter?

Finding fresh molehills in winter is not unusual. Molehills form when moles push excavated soil towards the surface while creating or extending underground tunnels.

In fact, molehills can sometimes become particularly noticeable during autumn and winter when soil conditions are moist and easier to excavate. A fresh mound of loose earth may indicate recent digging, although it does not necessarily reveal the exact location of the mole.

The number of molehills also doesn’t indicate how many moles are present. A single mole can create numerous mounds while maintaining its territory.

Do Moles Use the Same Tunnels Throughout the Year?

Moles often maintain networks containing both shallow feeding runs and deeper, more permanent tunnels. Some routes may be used repeatedly, while others are temporary and abandoned once they are no longer useful.

During warmer or wetter conditions, moles may spend more time hunting near the surface. When the ground becomes frozen or unusually dry, they can rely more heavily on deeper routes where earthworms remain available.

This seasonal flexibility allows moles to continue feeding without needing to construct an entirely new tunnel system whenever the weather changes.

For more information about their underground behaviour, read our guide on why moles dig tunnels.

Can Moles Damage Lawns During Winter?

Although moles do not normally feed on grass roots, their tunnelling can disturb lawns, flower beds and landscaped areas. Fresh molehills may cover patches of grass, while shallow tunnels can occasionally lift sections of turf.

Damage can be particularly frustrating during winter when lawns are wet and difficult to maintain. Flattening molehills without addressing ongoing activity may only provide a temporary improvement if the mole continues using the area.

Where mole activity is persistent, identifying active tunnels is an important part of determining the most suitable control approach.

Professional Mole Control

If fresh molehills continue appearing across your lawn or garden, Youngs Pest Control can help assess the activity and identify appropriate control options.

Our family-run business has over 35 years of pest control experience and provides professional mole control services across Greater Manchester, Cheshire and Merseyside.

If you’re experiencing mole activity in your garden during winter, contact Youngs Pest Control on 0161 776 9832 or 07845 815 261 for professional advice.