British Mole Catchers Register

15/10/2026

DYK? In medieval Christian bestiaries, the mole was often described as spiritually blind, living in perpetual darkness & failing to perceive divine truth....

12/10/2026

One mole can dig up to 200 metres of tunnel in a single day. Impressive, yes. But also a nightmare if it’s under your prize lawn!

The British Mole Catchers Register is a guaranteed source for all your mole problems, large or small.

Visit our website to find your local expert by clicking on the 'Find a MoleCatcher' tab

08/10/2026

Capable of digging up to 20 metres of tunnel in a day—the mole is a remarkable little excavator.

Moles alternate periods of activity and rest throughout each 24-hour cycle, usually with three main active periods. Much of that time is spent searching for food and patrolling their tunnels. Think of them as underground shift workers, although their routine is less precise than a strict four-hours-on, four-hours-off timetable.

Despite the familiar misconception, moles are not blind. Their tiny eyes can detect light and darkness, while touch, vibrations and scent help them find their way through their underground world. Sensitive whiskers around the snout are another useful adaptation to life in the dark.

Earthworms make up most of their diet, supplemented by insect larvae and other small invertebrates. European moles belong to the order Eulipotyphla, alongside shrews and hedgehogs.

Their appetite is impressive. An 80-gram mole may need around 50 grams of earthworms a day—more than half its own body weight. Counting worms is less useful, because a large earthworm provides considerably more food than a small one.

As they excavate or extend their tunnels, moles push loose soil up to the surface, creating those familiar molehills. Beneath each fresh mound is a glimpse of a hidden life spent digging, hunting and keeping that demanding little body fed

08/10/2026

Well done to BMCR members Oakham Pest Control Limited !

🏆 WE WON! 2026 Nextdoor FAVE AWARD 🏆

A huge thank you to everyone who voted for Oakham Pest Control Limited in the 2026 Nextdoor Fave Awards.

We’re incredibly pleased to have been named a Home Services Winner and even more so because this award is based on recommendations and votes from local neighbours and customers.

As a small, local family-run business, every recommendation, review, share and bit of support genuinely makes a difference to us.

Thank you to everyone who has trusted us with their pest control, recommended us to friends and family, or supported the business along the way.

60 Faves and a 2026 winner! 🏆💚

We really appreciate you all.

Oakham Pest Control Ltd
Local. Professional. Trusted.

08/10/2026

5 Fascinating Facts About Moles

1. Exceptional Digging Machines – A mole can dig up to 20 metres of new tunnel per day, using powerful forelimbs that are rotated outward like spades. Their tunnels can span hundreds of metres

2. Velvety Reversible Fur – Mole fur can lie flat in either direction, allowing them to move forwards and backwards in narrow tunnels without getting caught on soil

3. Nearly Blind but Highly Sensitive – While moles are functionally blind, their snouts are covered with Eimer’s organs, specialized touch sensors that help them detect vibrations and tiny prey underground

4. High Metabolism – A mole must eat around 70–100% of its body weight in food daily, mostly earthworms, grubs, and insects. They often keep "worm larders," storing paralyzed worms underground for leaner times

5. Solitary Engineers – Moles are fiercely territorial and live alone, except during mating season. Their extensive tunnels often overlap with human farmland and gardens, making them both admired and despised...

06/10/2026

Sharing on behalf of BMCR member Oakham Pest Control Limited

Thought I’d share a reminder of everything we offer at Oakham Pest Control Limited , as there may be a few services you didn’t know we cover.

We deal with rats, mice, squirrels and moles, along with wasps, hornets, ants, cockroaches, bed bugs, fleas, moths and flies. We also carry out woodworm inspections and treatments.

Our bird work includes solar panel proofing, netting, spiking and Bird Free gel, with a site assessment to work out what’s suitable for the building.

For rodent proofing, we can seal suitable entry points and fit mesh, air-brick protection, downpipe guards and drain non-return valves where appropriate. We also offer targeted CCTV drain inspections to investigate how rats may be getting in.

We provide ongoing commercial pest management, including regular inspections, rodent control, monitoring, digital reports and recommendations. We can also support audited sites, install insect monitors and use digital monitoring to log rodent activity around the clock.

Other services include electric fly killer supply and servicing, replacement glueboards and disinfection following pest contamination.

We carry out domestic and commercial pest surveys, proofing surveys and give practical advice on hygiene, potential pest shelter and preventing access. Free commercial pest service reviews are available too.

We’re a local, family-run business working with homes, businesses, schools and hospitality venues across Rutland and the surrounding areas. Whatever the job, we’ll explain what we’ve found and what we recommend doing next.

Give us a call or drop us a message if there’s anything you’d like to discuss.

07821 142221
oakham pest control

05/10/2026

Established in 2006, the British Mole Catchers Register is an official online directory of professional mole catchers across the UK.

It serves as a resource for individuals, landowners, and businesses looking for reliable and ethical mole control services.

Members of the register are typically experienced professionals who follow traditional and humane methods to manage mole populations, particularly using traps rather than chemicals or poisons.

01/10/2026

The phrase "making a mountain out of a molehill" was first recorded in 1548. Before it was called a mole, this little creature was known as an “earth-thrower”—and its hill had one of the strangest names in the English language!

The familiar expression “making a mountain out of a molehill,” meaning to exaggerate a small problem, was first recorded in 1548. It appeared in Nicholas Udall’s English translation of the writings of Erasmus:

“Make an Elephant of a flye, and a mountaine of a mollehill.”

The idea was already an ancient one. Greek and Roman writers used similar expressions about turning a fly into an elephant, but the wonderfully alliterative mountain and molehill version appears to have been an English development.

The word “mole” has an equally fascinating history. In parts of early Britain, the animal was known as a “wand,” later becoming “want” in regional dialects. A molehill could therefore be called a “wantitump”—with “tump” meaning a small mound or hill.

Another medieval name was “mouldwarp,” formed from words meaning earth and throw. In other words, the mole was literally an “earth-thrower”—a wonderfully accurate description of an animal capable of creating numerous molehills while excavating its underground tunnels.

The shorter form “molle” appeared during the Middle Ages, possibly developing from mouldwarp or from the word mould, meaning earth. “Molehill” followed during the 15th century.

Names such as want, wantitump and mouldwarp survived in rural dialects long after “mole” became standard English. In parts of Dorset, Devon and elsewhere in the West Country, “want” could still be heard centuries later.

So the next time someone makes a mountain out of a molehill, remember that they might once have been accused of making a mountain out of a wantitump!

01/10/2026

Moles are fascinating creatures - they’ve been part of our ecosystem for centuries, and we’ve got a healthy respect for them. But when their activities start affecting livelihoods, public safety, or cherished green spaces, it’s time to step in.

As professionals who are trained in traditional mole catching skills, BMCR members always aim for humane, effective control methods. Trapping remains the most reliable method here in the UK – when done properly by trained professionals. We also advise on preventative measures, such as soil management and landscaping techniques that can deter moles from settling in the first place.

Find out more about moles and what the BMCR does at https://www.britishmolecatchers.co.uk/

29/09/2026

How to Spot Mole Activity in the UK

Not sure if you’ve got a mole problem? Here are some tell-tale signs to look out for:

Fresh Molehills
These are the most obvious clue. Molehills are small mounds of loose soil, usually cone-shaped, pushed up as the mole clears earth from its tunnels. They often appear overnight and can pop up in clusters or lines.

Raised Ridges or Tunnels
In softer soils or lawns, you might notice raised ridges where the mole is tunnelling just below the surface. These “runways” can cause the ground to feel spongy or uneven underfoot.

Disrupted Grass or Plants
Moles can dislodge plant roots and turf as they tunnel. You may see plants wilting or your lawn starting to lift in places, especially if tunnels run near the surface.

Unusual Activity Patterns
Moles are active year-round, but they're particularly busy in early spring and autumn. If you start seeing new mounds during these times, it's likely mole activity – especially after a period of rain, when the soil is easier for them to dig.

Lack of Surface Droppings or Gnaw Marks
Unlike rats or rabbits, moles don’t leave droppings above ground or chew on things. If you’re seeing disturbance but no other signs of animal activity, moles might be your culprit.