Voles vs. Moles: How to Tell the Difference and Protect Your Lawn

While easy to confuse moles and voles, knowing the difference is crucial for effective pest control. Whether it’s the hidden tunnels of a mole or the gnawed roots from a vole, each pest presents unique challenges. In this article, we’ll help you tell the difference between moles and voles and provide actionable tips, including how to get rid of moles in the yard fast, to protect your lawn from these common invaders.

Ready to dive in? Let’s explore the world of moles and voles and how you can get rid of them effectively.

Moles vs. Voles: Understanding the Differences

When it comes to lawn pests, the terms “mole” and “vole” are often used interchangeably, but these two creatures are quite different. Understanding the difference between moles and voles is essential for effective pest control. Both can cause significant damage to your lawn, but they do so in different ways. Let’s dive into the distinct characteristics of each to help you identify and manage these pests effectively.

What Is a Mole?

Characteristics of Moles

Moles are small, burrowing mammals known for their distinctive tunneling behavior. These pests are typically 6-7 inches long and have velvety fur, tiny eyes, and large, paddle-like front paws designed for digging. Unlike other rodents, moles have pointed snouts and almost invisible eyes and ears, adapted for their subterranean lifestyle.

Mole Tunnels and Lawn Damage

Moles are solitary animals, and their primary activity is digging intricate tunnel systems just beneath the surface of your lawn. These tunnels are often visible as raised ridges or mounds of soil, commonly referred to as molehills. Moles dig these tunnels in search of food, mainly earthworms and grubs. While their digging can help aerate the soil, it also causes significant lawn damage, disrupting root systems and leaving unsightly mounds.

Signs of a Mole Infestation

If you notice a series of raised tunnels running across your lawn, it’s a clear sign that moles have made themselves at home. The damage to your lawn is primarily cosmetic but can be extensive if left unchecked. Moles are carnivores, so they won’t eat your plants, but their tunnels can still uproot and damage them.

What Is a Vole?

Characteristics of Voles

Voles, often mistaken for mice, are small, stocky rodents with short tails and rounded ears. They are usually 4-6 inches long, with brown or black fur and a grey underside. Unlike moles, voles have visible eyes and ears and are active on the surface, particularly in areas with dense vegetation.

Vole Damage to Lawns and Gardens

Voles are herbivores, meaning they primarily feed on plants. They create shallow burrow systems and surface runways, which are narrow, worn paths typically found in grassy areas. Voles can cause extensive damage to your lawn and garden by gnawing on the bark of trees and shrubs, eating plant roots, and damaging the root systems of grasses.

Identifying a Vole Problem

Vole damage is most evident in the form of surface runways and gnawed bark around the base of trees and shrubs. Unlike moles, voles do not create mounds of soil, but their feeding habits can kill plants and damage your lawn’s overall health.

Mole vs. Vole: How to Tell the Difference

Physical Appearance and Behavior

The most apparent difference between a mole and a vole is their physical appearance. Moles are built for digging, with their large front paws and pointed snouts, while voles resemble mice with their rounded ears and short tails. Moles live underground and are seldom seen, whereas voles are more likely to be spotted scurrying across the lawn.

Damage Patterns

• Mole Damage: Look for raised ridges and mounds of soil. Moles dig deep tunnels and may uproot plants as they search for insects.
• Vole Damage: Surface runways and chewed plants are the main indicators. Voles feed on roots, bark, and seeds, leading to dead patches of grass and damaged shrubs.

Moles Are Carnivores, Voles Are Herbivores

Understanding their diets is crucial in identifying the pest. Moles feed primarily on insects and worms, making them more likely to be found in lawns with healthy soil teeming with grubs. Voles, on the other hand, are herbivores that feed on plants and are more likely to cause damage to your garden’s vegetation.

Prevention and Professional Assistance

How to Prevent Moles and Voles from Invading Your Lawn

Preventing these pests begins with making your lawn less inviting. Here are some steps you can take:

• Reduce Food Sources: For moles, controlling grub populations can make your lawn less attractive. For voles, keeping your lawn trimmed and removing dense ground cover can discourage them from settling in.
• Barrier Methods: Installing underground barriers can help prevent moles from burrowing into specific areas, while mesh or wire fencing can keep voles away from gardens.
• Regular Monitoring: Check your lawn frequently for signs of mole or vole activity, especially during the early spring and fall when these pests are most active.

When to Call a Professional

If you’ve tried prevention methods and still see signs of mole or vole damage, it might be time to seek professional help. Moles and voles can be challenging to control on your own, especially if the infestation is extensive. A professional pest control service, like The Mole Hunter, can provide effective solutions tailored to your specific situation, ensuring your lawn and garden are protected year-round.

Final Thoughts on Controlling Moles and Voles

Knowing the difference between moles and voles is the first step in protecting your lawn from these common pests. While both can cause significant damage, their behaviors and the types of harm they cause are distinct. By understanding these differences and implementing the right prevention strategies, you can keep your lawn healthy and beautiful. And when the problem persists, don’t hesitate to call in the experts. The Mole Hunter is ready to help you take back your lawn from these troublesome invaders.