Voles vs. Moles: How to Tell Them Apart and Protect Your Lawn
Differences and Characteristics
Voles and moles are often confused, but they are actually quite different creatures. Voles are small rodents that resemble field mice, while moles are insectivores with elongated bodies and short, stocky limbs.
Voles:
- Resemble 5- to 8-inch field mice with short tails and compact bodies
- Have long, prominent orange teeth for eating vegetation
- Spend most of their time above ground, but burrow for nests
Moles:
- 4 to 7 inches long with elongated heads and snouts
- Have no visible eyes or ears, and cylindrical bodies with stubby tails
- Spend almost all of their time underground, digging tunnels and hunting insects
How Voles and Moles Damage Lawns
Voles:
- Eat vegetation, including lawn grass, garden plants, and tree roots
- Create runways on the surface of the lawn, which can be unsightly
- Damage trees and shrubs by burrowing into their root systems
Moles:
- Eat insects and grubs, not plants
- Create tunnels underground, which can disturb the root systems of plants and wreak havoc on the landscape
Vole vs. Mole: Tunnels and Runways
Voles do not tunnel like moles. While they may occasionally burrow underground to search for food, they more commonly create runways on the surface of the lawn.
Moles:
- Create deep tunnels, sometimes up to 10 inches deep, as part of an intricate underground network
Vole vs. Mole: Holes and Mounds
Voles:
- Make small burrows in the form of a small hole, usually at the base of a tree
Moles:
- Form large, volcano-looking molehill mounds
Vole vs. Mole: Traps
Traps are the preferred method for getting rid of voles and moles, as pesticides and rodenticides can harm other animals.
Voles:
- May be attracted to peanut butter as bait
Moles:
- Do not need bait for most traps; simply position the trap at the entrance of an active molehill
Voles and Moles vs. Mice, Gophers, and Shrews
Other small furry mammals that can sometimes be confused with moles and voles include mice, gophers, and shrews.
Mice:
- Average 2 to 4 inches long with large, rounded ears
- Have long, skinny tails and pointed snouts
- Eat seeds, grains, fruits, insects, and even other mice
Gophers:
- Larger than voles and moles, typically 4 to 12 inches in length
- Have large cheek pouches for holding food and nesting materials
- Create horseshoe-shaped mounds on the lawn
Shrews:
- Average 3 to 6 inches in length
- Have long snouts and sharp, pointed teeth
- Eat insects, not plants
- Construct elaborate runways and underground tunnels
Prevention and Control
To prevent and control vole and mole damage, consider the following tips:
- Install metal guards around the base of trees and shrubs to prevent vole damage
- Use traps specifically designed for voles or moles
- Avoid using pesticides and rodenticides, as they can harm other animals
- Keep your lawn mowed and free of debris to make it less attractive to voles and moles
- Seal up any holes or cracks in your foundation to prevent entry
By understanding the differences between voles and moles, and implementing effective prevention and control measures, you can keep your lawn healthy and free of these pests.
