Are moles really pests?

[smallholdings]

My field is plagued by moles at the moment although they are only popping up in the areas where I don't tramp daily which means my veggie plot is free. Everyone I meet complains about these little critters but they are supplying me with free 'top soil' by the barrow load and more than enough to fill pots and tubs too!
I would welcome some comments.

[Cherami]

Whilst I would never hurt or kill a mole, I do find that they cause a lot of problems in my Polly tunnel. Now they dont come and build there little hills because I have a solar sonic device, but they are still there and make very long and large tunnels under the soil, which causes air to get to roots and mice to have new tunnels without working.
Outside the frogs seem to like living in the holes. we did for some time put piping into each new hill causing air to get into the tunnels and the dont like that but it does look very funny, so we gave up.

[Lesley Jay]

If moles really are a nuisance you can buy 'Mole Bulbs' from www.kenmuir.co.uk Once planted in the garden or field they give off a smell that moles do not like and last over two years. They don't contain pesticides or poison but I would check that they are safe to plant with vegetables and fruit.

http://www.kenmuir.co.uk/details.php?productID=CH010

[green fingers]

Our house backs onto farmland as far as the eye can see. There is a large plot that has been left to go wild and is full of moles. I fully intend to go out with a bucket and collect the topsoil for my garden. We have full access to the whole of this land and and I take full advantage of the bountiful fruits it produces. I even cut Hawthorn branches fo my parrots.

So far we have only had one or two moles in the garden and our cat caught one of those. So they don't bother us much. Fingers crossed.

[smallholdings]

Still on the subject of collecting the top soil, a friend has recently informed me that if i continue i shall eventually fall down the caverns below.
I have yet to find out but 'Greenfingers' beware.

[layla17]

You're friend has the right idea. All of the topsoil has to come from somewhere.