Most people have never seen a mole in person this is because they spend the majority of their time underground. What they do see are the humped "ridges" in their yards, caused by the mole's tunneling efforts. This is a major thorn in the side of people who take pride in their lawns, even though they provide a very valuable service by eating white grubs and aerating the soil.

The species we see here in Illinois is the eastern mole (Scalopus aquaticus). This little mammal ranges from 5 to 8 inches, is blackish-brown to dark silvery-gray in color, has a short bare snout and tail, has no distinguishable eyes or ears, and webbed shovel-like feet, with large heavy claws for digging.
Their primary food source is earthworms, although they also eat white grubs, ground beetles, millipedes, centipedes and other insects, and sometimes even small mice or shrews. When soil is in favorable condition, as after a rain, a mole can tunnel at the rate of 18 feet per hour.
Moles are solitary creatures except during their mating season (January to May) and will kill any other animal that they may encounter in their burrows (even other moles). Because their primary dens and runways are located below the frost line, they do not hibernate in the winter, as many people think, but stay active year-round.

Many people believe that killing the grubs in their yard will stop moles, but this is not the case because their primary food source is earthworms, and grub control pesticides do not affect them. There are many wives-tails regarding mole control including: putting "Juicy fruit gum" in the holes, pouring castor oil in the burrows, using "mole windmills" to scare them off, etc. None of these are viable methods for mole control.
Until recently, the only legitimate means of mole control was a mole trap. We now have new gel-style bait that independent studies have proven to be nearly 85% effective in eliminating moles, when used according to labeled directions. It is a rodenticide in a gel form, which mimics the texture and taste of earthworms and grubs, giving the mole a lethal dose with a single feeding.

Moles rarely but sometimes can be carriers of rabies. Rabies, a virus, progressively paralyzes and can kill any mammal, including humans. Rabies is generally contracted through contact with an infected mole through biting. Though humans should avoid contact with any mole, if a mole seems especially fearless around humans, it could be infected.

Mole activity in your lawn, golf course or fields can mangle water lines, which can lead to expensive flood damage. Mole activity may break cables, which can affect phones or any other utility you receive through underground lines. Moles destroy sprinkler systems by uprooting sprinkler heads and warping underground water lines.

Mole tree damage is a huge concern. Their burrowing can expose tree roots, girdle and clip trees all great ways to kill a tree in your yard or golf course. Moles come in like plagues, affecting small areas where people take good care of their landscape. It’s important to get on top of a mole pest problem before moles hit root systems and kill trees, shrubs and ornamentals.

If moles are in your lawn, golf course or field, a plethora of other harmful animals will also be attracted to your property. Coyotes, badgers and skunks all prey on moles and will enter your yard or golf course and cause their own pest problems in search of moles. Moles can destroy storage retainer ponds and cause flooding.

The intricate mazes of a mole’s den and tunnels will attract other ground-burrowing animals, such as voles, white-footed mice and house mice. These little rodents will use the mole’s habitat as a place to hunt their own food, and they will surely tear up your vegetation, since it is such a main part of their diets.