If you’ve noticed numerous yard moles in Port Angeles, WA, you’re not alone. This charming city on the Olympic Peninsula, gateway to Olympic National Park, seems to have more than its fair share of these unsightly molehills. The answer lies in a perfect storm of environmental factors that make this area a mole paradise.
Port Angeles sits in the rain shadow of the Olympic Mountains, receiving about 25 inches of annual precipitation—much less than Seattle’s 38 inches. This drier climate, combined with the region’s fertile, well-drained soils, creates ideal conditions for yard and lawn in Port Angeles, WA. The Townsend’s mole (Scapanus townsendii), common in western Washington, thrives in moist yet loose, sandy loam soils found across Clallam County. These soils allow easy tunneling, leading to the classic volcano-shaped molehills as moles push excess dirt to the surface.
Remember, yard moles in Port Angeles, WA are insectivores, feasting on earthworms, grubs, and other soil-dwelling critters. The Olympic Peninsula’s rich, organic soils teem with these prey items, especially in well-watered lawns and gardens. Port Angeles residents take pride in their green spaces, often irrigating to maintain lush yards amid the drier conditions. This inadvertently attracts moles, who follow the food source. At Angeles Pest Control, a local pest control service notes, yard and lawn mole activity is rampant in Sequim and Port Angeles due to these favorable local soil and climate conditions.
Yard Moles in Port Angeles, WA
Don’t confuse molehills with pocket gopher mounds, though both occur on the peninsula. Molehills are symmetrical and conical, while gopher mounds are fan-shaped and often plugged. The Mazama pocket gopher is present in parts of Clallam County, but moles dominate lawn complaints in urban areas like Port Angeles.
While moles aerate soil and control pests like slugs, their tunneling can damage roots and create tripping hazards. Many locals turn to professional mole removal services specializing in trapping— the most effective method in Washington, where certain traps are regulated.
Port Angeles’ stunning landscapes, from waterfront views to mountain backdrops, contribute to the issue indirectly.
Abundant greenery and proximity to natural habitats mean moles have plenty of territory to expand into residential areas.
In summary, the abundance of yard and lawn moles in Port Angeles stems from ideal soil types, ample food, moderate climate, and human-maintained lawns. If you’re dealing with a mole infestation, consider humane trapping or barriers. Understanding these factors helps coexist with nature in this beautiful corner of Washington.
For more information on yard moles and mole pest control in Port Angeles, WA contact:
Sequim Mole Patrol
70 Ware Ct
Sequim Wa 98382
360-775-0214
https://www.sequimmolecontrol.com