For two small creatures with similar-sounding names that are both looking to tunnel through your yard, moles and voles are quite different. Learn how to spot them and effective steps for mole and vole control.

Similar But Different

Do you think there’s something creating tunnels through your yard and damaging your grass and garden? Have you seen the culprit? It could be one of two suspects that are often mistaken for each other.

Voles are small rodents with mouse-like qualities that love to dig. They’ll create a crisscrossing tunnel in your soil and feast on grass blades, plant stems, and roots. The entrance to their tunnels is about the size of a golf ball and close to the surface. Once they get comfy, they’ll breed quickly and soon have many mouths to feed (on your plants).

Moles are not rodents. They’re small mammals that spend more time in their underground tunnel. They’re larger than voles and have paddle-shaped feet with large claws for cutting through your lawn. The entrance to their tunnels is more of a mound shape. While they won’t eat your plants, they will dig them up or destroy the root systems in search of their favorite foods: insects, grubs, and worms.

Whether you notice your plants dying first or the network of raised tunnels across your lawn, it’s time to take action.

Mole and Vole Control

There are ways to make your yard and garden less desirable for these pests. While regular maintenance is important in preventing any pest infestation, sometimes you’ll need a more specific method of mole or vole control.

1. Preventative maintenance. Keep your lawn mowed and areas of mulch and ground cover light. These are areas where you may miss the telltale signs of tunnel tracks.
2. Protect trees. Use wire mesh or tubing around the bark of young trees to help prevent voles and other pests from gnawing on them.
3. Repellents. There are both natural and chemical formulas made to help deter pests from inhabiting your lawn and garden.
4. Poisons. Always be careful when opting for a lethal solution. You don’t want it harming other living things in the area.
5. Traps. There are different traps available for moles and voles. Some are more humane than others. While it may not solve an infestation problem, it will help to control the numbers.
6. Professional pest control. Depending on the level of damage, you may be better off calling the pros who know how to effectively remove the mole or vole population from your yard.

Professional Pest Control

When the pest problem becomes too much to handle, call a pro for help. After an initial consultation and inspection, an expert will help you determine the best solution to serve your needs. This plan may include preventive measures you can take, methods of pest removal, and any necessary follow-up treatments. Contact Cardinal Pest to start the process of mole and vole control and reclaiming your yard.