Though voles and moles have same sounding names and both causing havoc to yards, these are two entirely different pests, yet they’re often confused. Moles seem to be much better known, but it’s really voles causing much of the damage chalked up to moles. It’s important to know which pest you’ve got because effective mole control and vole control depends on targeting the right action to the right animal. Voles are treated with external bait stations and also apply bait into the holes. Whereas for moles are controlled using mole traps and/or fumigating the tunnels.
SHOP BY PEST
Moles & Voles
Moles are insectivores, and their primary diet is earthworms with a few grubs and insects tossed in as appetizers. They create tunnels and runways dug in lawns while on the never-ending search for more worms. They are gray to dark brown in color, about 6 to 7 inches long and most distinguishable by their long noses and paddled, webbed front feet – perfect for tunnel excavation.
Voles are rodents that look much like mice, only with shorter tails. They’re dark brown in color, about 5 inches in length and have eyes and ears that you can readily notice.
Moles & Voles Facts
Moles & Voles Treatments
Voles are treated with external bait stations and also apply bait into the holes.
Moles are controlled using mole traps and/or fumigating the tunnels.
DIY - Do It Yourself Tips
All potential entry points inside should be properly sealed. These include cracks in corners of cupboards, improperly fitted baseboards, openings around pipes and air vents. Generally, using steel wool or a caulking compound to close off access points is sufficient.
Voles are treated with external bait stations and also apply bait into the holes.
Moles are controlled using mole traps and/or fumigating the tunnels.
Frequently Asked Questions
The biggest difference between moles and voles is the type of damage they cause. Moles are insectivores, and their primary diet is earthworms with a few grubs and insects tossed in as appetizers. They don’t eat plants, and so their landscape carnage is really the incidental damage of tunnels and runways dug in lawns while on the never-ending search for more worms. They’re gray to dark brown in color, about 6 to 7 inches long and most distinguishable by their long noses and paddled, webbed front feet – perfect for tunnel excavation.
Unlike moles, voles are rodents that look much like mice, only with shorter tails. They’re dark brown in color, about 5 inches in length and have eyes and ears that you can readily notice. They feed on grass and perennial-flower roots, they’ll eat seeds and bulbs, and especially in winter when other foods are scarce, they’ll even girdle the bark off trees and shrubs.
All potential entry points inside should be properly sealed. These include cracks in corners of cupboards, improperly fitted baseboards, openings around pipes and air vents. Generally, using steel wool or a caulking compound to close off access points is sufficient.