Wetteren (24brussels) – RFC Wetteren football club is facing urgent challenges as mole infestations threaten its fields, damaging two grass pitches. Club chairman Geert Pelsemacker has sought professional assistance after volunteers struggled to manage the situation. The presence of moles, drawn by irrigation and the abundance of earthworms, compromises player safety.
The training grounds of RFC Wetteren in East Flanders, Belgium, have been overrun by moles for weeks. The club, which boasts four pitches—one artificial turf and three grass fields used for training and youth matches—has seen two of the grass pitches severely affected by molehills. These mounds hinder the groundskeepers’ ability to maintain the fields efficiently.
RFC Wetteren’s Strategy to Address the Mole Infestation
The molehills pose significant safety risks for young players, increasing the likelihood of trips and injuries such as twisted ankles. Chairman Geert Pelsemacker noted that the moles have easily infiltrated the fields, leading to a proliferation of molehills.
The club now faces the challenge of protecting its pitches while ensuring safe play areas for its athletes. This situation has become a serious concern affecting the club’s training routines and youth activities.
Thus far, RFC Wetteren has attempted to manage the mole problem independently. For several weeks, two volunteers have been monitoring the fields daily, clearing molehills and filling in holes to keep the pitches usable.
However, Pelsemacker stated that the situation is worsening, and the club requires additional assistance. They have enlisted the help of a professional mole-catching device aimed at preventing further mound formation and driving the moles away. The club hopes to resolve the issue by the end of this week.
“The spray water attracts worms, and moles are attracted to it.”
Chairman Geert Pelsemacker
The sudden spike in mole activity has left officials puzzled. They speculate that the increased watering activity during warmer weather, aimed at promoting grass growth, may be attracting earthworms, which in turn lure the moles onto the fields. As evidenced by last year’s experience of a nearby football club that dealt with a severe mole infestation, the consequences can be disruptive. Those fields also became uneven and unsafe, leading to delays in training and matches, ultimately necessitating the intervention of professional pest control experts.
