Seeing More Moles in Winter? Here’s Why North Carolina Lawns Suffer

Why Eastern Moles Are More Active in North Carolina During Winter

Many North Carolina homeowners are surprised to see increased mole activity during the winter months. Fresh tunnels, raised ridges, and lawn damage often appear just when people expect wildlife to slow down. However, for the eastern mole (Scalopus aquaticus), winter can actually be one of the most active seasons of the year. The primary reasons are simple: damp soil conditions and improved access to food sources.

Eastern Moles Do Not Hibernate

One of the most common misconceptions about moles is that they hibernate in winter. According to the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, eastern moles remain active year-round. Unlike animals that store fat and enter dormancy, moles have extremely high metabolisms and must eat frequently to survive. They rely on a constant supply of food and cannot go long periods without feeding.

Because of this, moles continue tunneling in all seasons, including winter—especially in North Carolina, where winters are relatively mild and the ground rarely freezes deeply.

Damp Winter Soil Creates Ideal Digging Conditions

Winter weather in North Carolina typically brings increased rainfall and reduced evaporation, resulting in consistently moist soil. This is a key factor in winter mole activity. Moist soil is softer and easier for moles to dig through, allowing them to expand tunnel systems with less energy.

In contrast, summer heat often dries and hardens the soil, particularly in clay-heavy regions like the Piedmont. When the soil becomes compacted, moles may dig deeper or reduce surface tunneling, making their presence less noticeable. Winter conditions reverse this trend, pushing mole activity closer to the surface.

Food Sources Become More Available

Food availability is the most important driver of mole behavior. Eastern moles primarily feed on earthworms, grubs, insect larvae, and other soil-dwelling invertebrates. According to NC State Extension, earthworms are more active in moist soil and often move closer to the surface when conditions are favorable.

During winter, damp soil and stable underground temperatures allow prey species to remain accessible. Because food is more evenly distributed near the surface, moles create more shallow tunnels—resulting in the visible mole runs homeowners notice across lawns.

Winter Makes Mole Damage More Visible

Winter lawn conditions also make mole activity easier to spot. Turf growth slows dramatically, so tunnels and ridges don’t recover as quickly as they do in spring or summer. Additionally, irrigation systems are often turned off, maintaining soil moisture levels that encourage mole movement.

This combination leads homeowners to believe mole activity has suddenly increased, when in reality, existing moles are simply more visible and active near the surface.

What This Means for Homeowners

Understanding that eastern moles do not hibernate—and are actually well adapted to winter conditions—helps explain why lawn damage often worsens this time of year. Left untreated, mole tunneling can damage root systems, weaken turf, and create uneven, hazardous walking surfaces.

The NCWRC emphasizes that effective mole control depends on understanding seasonal behavior. Winter’s predictable tunneling patterns and active feeding behavior often make it an ideal time for targeted, professional mole management.

Eastern moles are responding naturally to damp soil and abundant food. Unfortunately for homeowners, those same conditions make winter one of the most challenging seasons for mole damage in North Carolina.

Need Help With Mole Damage? Call the Professionals

If mole activity is damaging your lawn this winter, Piedmont Wildlife Control can help. Our team specializes in professional mole control solutions designed specifically for North Carolina soil conditions and seasonal wildlife behavior. We understand that moles do not hibernate and that winter activity requires a targeted, strategic approach—not guesswork.

We do not poison your lawn with insecticides or rodenticides. Piedmont Wildlife Control uses proven methods to reduce mole populations, minimize lawn damage, and restore your property safely and effectively. Whether you’re dealing with ongoing tunneling or sudden winter outbreaks, our experienced wildlife control professionals can assess the situation and resolve the issue.

To schedule an inspection or learn more about our mole control services contact us at (336) 915-7373. Protect your lawn and stop mole damage before it gets worse!