Molehills
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Under a molehill (also Scherhaufen ) or a molehill one understands the excavated earth of the mole .
The earth that accumulates when digging is pushed by the mole with its head or trunk, depending on the nature of the soil, every 50–100 cm to the surface of the earth, creating the typical, approximately 25 cm high piles of earth. The molehills are generally not above the tunnels, but to the side above, because the earth is pushed up at an angle. The mole thus lives up to its name, which is derived from the ( Old High German ) "molte" for "earth". The mole could also be called “earth thrower”.
The hills with their loose structure also provide vital ventilation for the underground passages. Since the mole breathes a lot and lives only on animal food, it produces a lot of carbon dioxide , which it has to dispose of through the molehills in order not to suffocate within a short time. Therefore, when humans flatten the piles, it is only a signal for the mole to quickly throw up new piles.
Many molehills indicate healthy soil. Not only is the mole a vermin exterminator; with its passages and pipes it also contributes significantly to loosening and draining the soil.
Molehills are a good base for new plants. Especially in meadows and pastureland, plants can gain a foothold on molehills that would not have a chance on a closed vegetation cover.
In winter it can happen that the mole builds a "mole castle" - a huge molehill - surrounded by a ring-shaped ventilation system under which it digs its nest. A mole will only place its nest above ground in a so-called "swamp castle" in particularly wet weather and without any alternative.
Moles may not be shot, only driven away. The mole's sensitive nose can be disturbed with elderberry or garlic broth drizzled on the mounds. The sensitive ears with knocking on wooden stakes that are stuck in the piles of earth.
There are some farmer rules that associate molehills with winter:
- If the mole throws in January, winter even lasts until May.
- If the mole throws its mound again, winter lasts until May.
- If the moles scratch themselves deeply, it will be a hard winter.
- If the molehills are high in the garden, a harsh winter can be expected.
"Mole's Castle",
almost 40 cm high,
behind it 'normal' hills
'Normal' hills,
in the background
the "Mole's Castle"
literature
- Günter R. Witte : The mole. Talpa europaea (= The new Brehm library. Vol. 637). Westarp Sciences, Magdeburg 1997, ISBN 3-89432-870-3
- Jim Parkhurst: Managing Wildlife Damage: Moles . Virginia Cooperative Extension, 1999
