Voles vs. Moles and Their Key Differences

Maintaining a gorgeous, lush lawn is every homeowner's goal, right? But pests can derail your good intentions. Here, we talk about two particular troublemakers: voles and moles. 

Don't let their rhyming names fool you. When it comes to wreaking havoc on your yard, they are two distinct creatures with their own unique behaviors. Let’s burrow into everything to know about voles vs. moles.

What Are Voles?

You might know them as field mice or meadow mice. But don't be mistaken; these rodents are usually larger and stockier than a typical mouse, measuring up to 9 inches long, with shorter limbs and smaller ears. They hang out in dense vegetation and are active 24/7, year-round. They find messy yards with lots of plant debris and overgrown vegetation irresistible.

Voles are herbivores. Their plant-based diet includes roots, bulbs, bark, and anything green. They also love to dig and burrow, even in snow. While they are not known to attack people or pets, they can spread disease and introduce parasites while turning up your property.

What Are Moles?

Moles are small mammals that enjoy the underground lifestyle—they are famous for their tunneling abilities. They have cylindrical bodies, plush fur, and diminutive ears and eyes. They measure up to 7 inches long and have short and powerful limbs with large paddle-like paws. Their most notable feature is their long and sensitive snout.

Homeowners find them pesky because their intricate tunnel systems damage roots for grass, plants, and trees. They can even damage a house’s foundation. On the flip side, they can do some good—their digging aerates the soil and feast on insects like ants, earthworms, slugs, and grubs. Without these food sources, your yard won't catch their interest.

Moles vs. Voles: Key Differences

These critters leave their marks on lawns and gardens, but their impacts diverge.

Moles are tunneling virtuosos, which can spell trouble for homeowners. Tunnels near abodes can trap water, leading to cracks in the foundation. And if you're stepping onto a yard with mole-induced damage, brace yourself for that squishy, unsupported feeling, which might result in collapses underfoot.

Voles opt for surface or pre-made mole tunnels as their highways. They craft "runways" or tracks across yards from burrow to burrow, tearing up lawns. Voles have more tricks up their sleeves. Besides chewing up plants, their waste can accumulate, causing grass and other plant life to wither and die.

How to Get Rid of Voles

Vole control requires a multi-pronged approach, and the following tactics can work in tandem to create a fortress against these pesky rodents. If your problem persists, working with a local wildlife management professional is best.

Habitat Modification

One of the first steps in vole control involves changing up their habitat. Voles love ground covers such as tall grasses, weeds, and plant debris. Keeping your outdoor spaces well-maintained and free from overgrown vegetation makes your yard less appealing.

Fencing

A physical barrier is sometimes the best way to keep unwanted guests out. Installing mesh fences that voles can't squeeze through or under can be a game-changer in protecting plants from damage. 

Repellents

These products emit smells that voles find unpleasant, encouraging them to steer clear of your garden and landscape. Applying these repellents strategically around your plants and garden beds can create an invisible yet protective barrier.

How to Get Rid of Moles

These underground enthusiasts might be talented diggers, but you can certainly take steps to deter their disruptive behavior. Combine the following methods or work with a professional for the best results. On average, mole removal costs around $400, depending on your location and the extent of the infestation.

Trapping

This is a widely used method for mole control—the traps must be strategically placed within tunnel systems during the spring and fall when they are the most active. Trapping can significantly reduce mole populations and minimize tunneling damage.

Repellents

Mole repellents offer another approach to keep these tunneling dynamos at bay. These products emit scents or vibrations that moles find displeasing, encouraging them to vacate your yard in search of more comfortable surroundings. 

Soil Management

Adjusting your yard's environment can also discourage moles from sticking around. Removing their favorite food source—earthworms and other insects—involves treating your soil to make it less appealing. Professional pest control services offer treatments, or you can DIY using products with milky spore, a bacterium. Remember, this shift won't happen overnight. It can take months or years to see results.

Signs You Have a Mole or Vole Problem

Voles travel on the same paths day after day, so look for tiny trails on the ground. You can also suss out their tunnels by feeling the soil to see if it is spongy. Voles are herbivores, so look for collapsed plants or missing fruits and vegetables from a harvest. 

As for moles, look for molehills, which are mounds of dirt that mark the entrance to their tunnels. These are typically shaped like a volcano and less than six inches tall. Look for areas of discolored or dead grass or an abundance of spongy soil, just like with a vole. 

DIY Pest Control vs. Hiring a Pro

Handling a minor mole or vole problem is doable as a DIY project, so long as you have some experience with pest control and take proper safety precautions. However, larger infestations will likely require a call to the local pest control company. These can be difficult to handle using DIY methods, and you’d likely end up wasting money on resources with nothing to show for it. A professional can guarantee the job gets done right the first time so you can enjoy your lawn again. 

Cost to Get Rid of Moles or Voles 

Mole and vole removal costs $100 to $550, with an average price of $400, depending on the treatment type and the severity of the infestation. Some companies charge by the project, while others charge by the number of critters they remove, about $50 to $80 each. If you have a recurring pest problem, ask about maintenance plans that bring pest control specialists to your yard every month, which tends to cost around $600 per year.