Voles and moles are often confused due to their underground activity, but they are different animals with distinct behaviors, diets, and impacts on gardens and lawns.
Voles are small, rodent-like mammals that resemble mice. They have short tails, small eyes, and a stocky body covered in brown or gray fur. Voles primarily feed on roots, bulbs, bark, and plants, making them a threat to gardens and young trees.
Voles create shallow, visible runways in grass and mulch, which they use to travel between burrow entrances. Voles reproduce quickly and can cause significant plant damage in a short amount of time.
Moles, on the other hand, are not rodents but insectivores. They have pointed snouts, small hidden eyes, and large, paddle-like front paws adapted for digging.
Unlike voles, moles do not eat plants; instead, they feed on earthworms, grubs, and insects found in the soil. Moles create raised mounds (molehills) as they burrow deep underground. While their tunneling can disrupt lawns and gardens, they are beneficial in controlling soil pests.
Voles damage plants and trees, while moles primarily disturb soil without eating vegetation. Identifying the right pest is crucial for using effective control methods in your yard or garden.
See our Resource PDF on how to get rid of voles and moles.
Photo credit: Chippers Inc.
Voles create shallow, visible runways in grass and mulch, which they use to travel between burrow entrances. Voles reproduce quickly and can cause significant plant damage in a short amount of time.
Moles, on the other hand, are not rodents but insectivores. They have pointed snouts, small hidden eyes, and large, paddle-like front paws adapted for digging.
Unlike voles, moles do not eat plants; instead, they feed on earthworms, grubs, and insects found in the soil. Moles create raised mounds (molehills) as they burrow deep underground. While their tunneling can disrupt lawns and gardens, they are beneficial in controlling soil pests.
Voles damage plants and trees, while moles primarily disturb soil without eating vegetation. Identifying the right pest is crucial for using effective control methods in your yard or garden.
See our Resource PDF on how to get rid of voles and moles.
Photo credit: Chippers Inc.
Which Animals Dig Holes in the Yard? Most commonly, these are the animals that could be causing damage to your yard: chipmunks, squirrels, rats or mice, voles, moles, rabbits. Noticing damage to freshly laid sod? Raccoons like to peel fresh sod up and eat grubs from the dirt that's attached to the soil's roots. In this situation, contact a local wildlife removal specialist for help with raccoons.