The mole's diet is almost entirely animal, including earthworms, white grubs, ants, beetles and other subterranean insects. A mole will eat almost its own weight in food daily and in the process tunnel up to 15 feet per hour. The tunnels moles dig as they search for food can harm a young plant's root system. These tunnels are seldom reused by the mole, so a large network of the raised tunnels dug by one or two moles can ruin a lawn's appearance over time. More harmful voles sometimes move into mole tunnels and proceed to further damage plants.
Moles are active all year round.
Any young seedlings or transplants are especially vulnerable. All moles are classified as wild, nongame animals under North Carolina laws. No hunting or trapping seasons are set up for these animals, and they are subject to all applicable state laws and regulations. This means you can not kill a mole without requesting and receiving a permit from the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. Moles can be difficult to eradicate.