Moles create raised ridges in the ground and leave mounds of dirt on the surface while voles create runways in the grass and garden and do not leave dirt mounds.
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To determine if you have moles or voles in your yard, there are several key differences to look for. Moles are burrowing animals that create raised ridges in the ground, while voles are small rodents that create runways in the grass and garden. Moles also leave behind mounds of dirt on the surface as they dig tunnels, while voles do not.
According to the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, “Moles have long claws and feet adapted for digging and pushing dirt backwards as they create tunnels. In addition, their eyes are small and poorly developed, as they do not typically need to rely on vision to navigate underground. Voles, on the other hand, have smaller feet and shorter tunnels and use their runways to forage for food above ground.”
It’s important to identify which animal is causing damage to your yard as their control methods differ. Moles are insectivores and can help control insect populations, while voles can cause damage to vegetation and should be deterred.
Here are some additional interesting facts about moles and voles:
- Moles are carnivores that mainly feed on earthworms, grubs, and insects.
- Moles have a high metabolism and can consume their body weight in food each day.
- Voles are herbivores that feed on grasses, seeds, and roots.
- A group of moles is called a labor, while a group of voles is called a colony.
- Moles are found throughout North America, Europe, and Asia, while voles are found throughout North America, Europe, and Asia.
- Moles are adapted to living underground and have many unique physical characteristics, such as a hairless, cylindrical body and paddle-like feet.
- Voles can reproduce rapidly, with females giving birth to several litters of 3-6 young each year.
- Both moles and voles can be beneficial to the environment in certain ways, but can also cause damage to crops and gardens if their populations become too high.
Here is a table summarizing the key differences between moles and voles:
Moles | Voles | |
---|---|---|
Appearance | Long claws and feet, hairless cylindrical body | Smaller feet, furry body |
Diet | Insects and grubs | Grasses and vegetation |
Behaviors | Create raised ridges, leave dirt mounds | Create runways, do not leave dirt mounds |
Reproduction | Produce small litters of 2-4 young | Produce several litters of 3-6 young |
Geographic Range | Found in North America, Europe, and Asia | Found in North America, Europe, and Asia |
Video response to “How do I know if I have moles or voles?”
The video introduces a series on different traps for subterranean pests in the yard and explains how to identify which type of pest is causing damage by their physical characteristics and types of dirt they leave behind. The YouTuber provides information on the habits and behaviors of moles, pocket gophers, and voles, detailing the damage they can cause and stressing the importance of identifying the specific type of pest to select the appropriate trap for removal.
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You probably have moles if you see long dirt tunnels across your yard with piles at either end. Moles create shallow tunnels on the surface and mounds of soil from deeper tunnels. When you walk in your yard, the surface will feel squishy. “Voles also dig dime-sized entrances to their burrows around the roots of plants,” Pearson says.
For voles, look for tunnels that are visible along the surface of the lawn that look like snakes or winding rivers. Another sign of voles is chewed up plants, tubular veggies, or bark on trees. Moles dig their tunnels deeper underground but will leave small mounds of dirt near their tunnel entrances.
How to Tell the Difference Between Moles & Voles
- Description of a Mole A mole is 4 to 7 inches long with paddle-shaped feet and prominent digging claws. It has an elongated head and snout, small eyes, and no external ears.
While voles have those open entranceways and make tunnels that aren’t raised, moles dig visibly raised tunnel ridges, leave mini volcano-shaped soil mounds, and create more of a closed tunnel system without visible entrance holes. If you’re seeing tunneling in your lawn that looks like this description, you likely have moles.
More interesting questions on the topic
- Tiny Trails in Your Yard. Voles travel on the same paths, by creating 1- to 2-inch-wide ruts or runways in the ground.
- Collapsed Plants. Voles are herbivores and like to feast on bulbs, tubers, or roots.
- Spongy Soil.
- Holes in the Soil.
- Damaged Harvest.
- Cats.
- Visual Sighting.