Local mole information

Mole control in Washington

Learn what to look for around your property, explore your city, and ask about an inspection or a quote.

Moles in Washington: what to know

Around Washington

Conditions vary across the state. Choose your city below, then describe what’s happening around your home or business.

What to note

Where you see moles, how long it has been going on, and anything you’ve already tried are the most useful details to mention.

A useful next step

Ask about an inspection, what treatment would involve, and whether follow-up visits are included. You don’t need to identify the problem yourself before getting in touch.

Local research

Moles in Washington: what the public record shows

Before you compare quotes, it helps to know which moles actually live in Washington, when they are busiest, and what the state figures look like. Everything below links to the agency or university page it came from.

3: Townsend's, Pacific (coast), shrew-mole

Mole species

Townsend's is the largest North American mole at 8-9 inches.

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

1 adult per 6 acres up to more than 5 per acre

Density

Molehills 6-24 inches across and 2-8 inches high.

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

Traditional body-gripping mole traps are illegal (Initiative 713; RCW 77.15.192, 77.15.194; WAC 220-417-040), no emergency exceptions

Trap law

Control relies on non-body-gripping traps, flooding, shoveling and habitat change.

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

Mole species recorded in Washington

Townsend's mole (Scapanus townsendii) — Largest North American mole (8-9 inches); lawns west of the Cascades.
Coast (Pacific) mole (Scapanus orarius) — Drier, brushier habitats including interior sagebrush.
Shrew mole (Neurotrichus gibbsii) — Smallest North American mole; does not make molehills.

When moles are busiest in Washington

Wet season west of the Cascades.

Moles are unclassified; owners may trap or kill them on their property when causing damage, within the trap law.

Rules that apply in Washington

WDFW Living with wildlife: Moles

For context, nationally

7 — Mole species in North America. Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management
Up to 150 feet — New tunnel per day. Virginia Cooperative Extension (Virginia Tech)

Sources: Living with wildlife: Moles; Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management; Virginia Cooperative Extension (Virginia Tech). Figures are quoted as the source prints them. How we check our sources

Explore Washington cities

Auburn

Marine West Coast · suburban setting

Mole control in Washington

Moles in Washington: what to know

Around Washington

What to note

A useful next step

Moles in Washington: what the public record shows

Mole species recorded in Washington

When moles are busiest in Washington

Rules that apply in Washington

For context, nationally

Explore Washington cities

Auburn

Bellevue

Bellingham

Everett

Federal Way

Kennewick

Kent

Kirkland

Olympia

Redmond

Renton

Richland

Seattle

Spokane

Spokane Valley

Tacoma

Vancouver

Yakima

Walla Walla

Ask about mole control in Washington