Voles vs. Moles: How to Identify the Damage and Get Rid of The Critters

Learn to tell these critters apart, and handle them safely, with advice from experts.

If you find a small, furry creature crawling around in your garden, would you know if it was a vole or a mole? Voles and moles are very similar animals, and both creatures are kind of a nuisance. Despite their diminutive statures, they make their presence well-known by wreaking havoc on gardens and lawns.

It can be a challenge, though, to determine which animal is responsible for the damage—and this matters because it’ll help inform how you eliminate the problem. Here, we’ll go over how to tell whether you have moles vs. voles and share expert tips on how to get rid of them safely.

Meet the Expert

Roger Dickens is the technical services manager of bird and wildlife control at Terminix.

Differences Between Voles and Moles

Moles and voles may look similar, but in truth, they're very different animals. There are many ways that you can determine whether or not you have voles or moles in your garden.

Voles

Voles, part of the rodent family, are "smaller and similar-sized as mice," says Roger Dickens of Terminix. They have a short, stubbed snout, similar to a hamster, and are usually shades of brown. Dickens confirms that voles eat vegetation and seeds and will also eat the roots of some landscape plants.

Instead of tunnels, “voles create trails or ‘runs’ across the ground,” Dickens says. (You might catch a glimpse of a vole—they can be seen running from their hiding spots when those spots are exposed.) They are most noticeable after the spring snow melts or when an object is lifted off the ground, and the runs become visible.

Regarding habitat, voles can be found throughout the continental U.S. They are typically found in meadows, grasslands, and fields. And Dickens surprised us with this tidbit: Voles are one of the fastest-reproducing animals in North America. They can reproduce any time of the year and often have up to 10 litters per year, with three to six young per litter!

Moles

According to Dickens, one of the biggest differences between voles and moles is literally how big they are: Moles are larger than voles. “Moles are approximately the same length as the width of someone’s hand,” he says. Additionally, moles have a longer snout and tend to have darker gray fur.  They're also a member of the shrew family, not the rodent genus.

Keep in mind that since moles are fairly subterranean, you’ll rarely see them, Dickens notes. According to Dickens, there are several mole species native to the U.S., but most are generally located east of the Rocky Mountains. Moles reproduce one time per year with a litter size of three to five young. Generally, they are born in March or April.

Related: How to Keep Rabbits Out of Your Garden

Identifying Damage Caused by Voles vs. Moles

Moles and voles cause damage that's mostly related to the way they eat. Moles are carnivorous creatures, while voles are vegetarians. So if you see plant damage, you are dealing with voles, not moles. There are different types of damage that these two species can cause.

Tunnels and Runways

Moles can damage the lawn by burrowing as they search for food or mates. People often notice a raised section of turf that flattens out when stepped on. Dickens also points out that people sometimes notice a mound of freshly excavated soil where moles have been active.

Voles sometimes burrow underground, but they are more likely to create runways on the surface of your lawn. While unsightly, the runways don't do underground damage like tunnels do.

Mounds and Holes

Moles dig—you guessed it—molehills, which are volcano-shaped mounds. Voles, on the other hand, don't build mounds; they tend to burrow underground in small holes, usually at the base of a tree. The burrowing can lead to root damage, which can cause the plants and trees to die. People will begin to notice the plants turning brown or even tipping over from voles eating the roots.

How to Remove and Keep Moles and Voles Away

There are several options when it comes to both mole and vole pest control. These include traps, plants, and natural remedies that work on other animals like deer and squirrels. Pesticides can also be an option, but for the sake of the rest of the critters in your garden, you may want to try other methods first.

Traps

According to Dickens, moles can be trapped with a specialized contraption. Voles can also be trapped by placing mouse traps perpendicular to the "run" or trail. Also, moles and voles are attracted to different types of bait. Voles will be attracted to something like peanut butter, while you'll need to use grubs or worms as bait for moles.

Plants

Another option for driving moles and voles away from your garden is to put in repellent plants. Moles dislike the scent of garlic, shallots, allium, marigolds, and daffodils. Voles can be kept away with allium. To keep these pesky critters out of your garden, it's best to plant a barrier of repellants around the edge.

Castor Oil

Another scent that both moles and voles dislike is castor oil. There are several castor-oil-based solutions that you can buy at garden stores, or you can use pure castor oil. Castor oil also comes in a granular form, which may be more practical for use as a deterrent since you can sprinkle it around the edge of your garden. Pure castor oil is thicker, so if you want to use this, dilute it with water before distributing it around your garden.

Pesticides

Capsaicin-based repellents are effective to keep voles out of your landscaping beds. If moles are the problem, you can use a mole-labeled pesticide, which tends to be very effective. However, with any pesticide, there are risks. Some can be harmful to pets and other wildlife. For this option, you may want to contact a pest control professional.

Related: How To Get Rid of Mice With These Strategies From Experts

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