Editing Mole (animal) (section)

===Pest status: extermination and humane options===
[[File:Krtek1.jpg|thumb|left|[[Molehill]]s in eastern Bohemia]]
Moles are considered agricultural [[Pest (organism)|pests]] in some countries, while in others, such as [[Germany]], they are a [[protected species]], but may be killed with a [[Hunting license|permit]]. Problems cited as caused by moles include contamination of [[silage]] with soil particles, making it unpalatable to [[livestock]], the covering of pasture with fresh soil reducing its size and yield, damage to agricultural machinery by the exposure of stones, damage to young plants through disturbance of the soil, weed invasion of pasture through exposure of freshly tilled soil, and damage to drainage systems and watercourses. Other species such as [[weasel]]s and [[vole]]s may use mole tunnels to gain access to enclosed areas or plant roots.

Moles burrow and raise [[molehill]]s, killing parts of [[lawns]]. They can undermine plant roots, indirectly causing damage or death. Moles do not eat plant roots.<ref name="extermine">{{cite web
 |title       = How to get rid of moles
 |publisher   = Extermine.com
 |year        = 2004
 |url         = http://www.extermine.com/moles.html
 |url-status  = dead
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20120426031130/http://www.extermine.com/moles.html
 |archive-date = 26 April 2012
 |access-date = 17 July 2011
}}</ref>

[[File:Op scherp staande mollenklem.jpg|thumb|A [[mole trap]]]]
Moles are controlled with traps such as mole-catchers, smoke bombs, and poisons such as [[calcium carbide]], which produces [[acetylene]] gas to drive moles away. [[Strychnine]] was also used for this purpose in the past. The most common method now is Phostoxin or Talunex tablets. They contain [[aluminium phosphide]] and are inserted in the mole tunnels, where they turn into [[phosphine]] gas (not be confused with [[phosgene]] gas). More recently, high-grade [[nitrogen]] gas has proven effective at killing moles, with the added advantage of having no polluting effect to the environment.<ref name="extermine"/>
[[File:Dead moles on display hung on a fence.jpg|thumb|Dead moles traditionally hung on a fence after being caught.]]

Other common defensive measures include cat litter and [[blood meal]], to repel the mole, or smoking its burrow. Devices are also sold to trap the mole in its burrow, when one sees the "mole hill" moving and therefore knows where the animal is, and then stabbing it.

Other humane options are also possible including humane traps that capture the mole alive so it may be transported elsewhere.<ref name="extermine"/> In many contexts including ordinary gardens, the damage caused by moles to lawns is mostly visual, and it is possible instead of extermination to simply remove the earth of the molehills as they appear, leaving their permanent galleries for the moles to continue their existence underground.<ref name="extermine"/> However, when the tunnels are near the surface in soft ground or after heavy rain, they may collapse, leaving (small) unsightly furrows in the lawn.