Both moles and voles can cause significant damage to a lawn or garden. However, they are completely different animals that require different control strategies. Misidentifying the pest leads to wasted time and money. Here is how to tell the difference between a mole and a vole.
What Does a Mole Look Like?
A mole has a large, cylindrical body and paddle-like front claws designed for digging. It has a pointed snout and tiny, almost invisible eyes and ears. Moles are rarely seen above ground because they spend almost their entire lives underground in their tunnels.
What Does a Vole Look Like?
A vole looks very similar to a common field mouse. It is a small, stocky rodent with a short tail, small ears, and a blunt snout. Unlike moles, voles are often seen running along the surface of the ground, especially near tall grass or garden beds.
Comparing Lawn Damage
The key to proper control is understanding the damage patterns. Moles create raised surface tunnels and volcano-shaped hills. Voles create shallow, well-worn runways through the grass. These are often visible after snow melts. You may also see chewed plant stems at the base and gnawed tree bark near the ground.
Diet Differences: Insectivore vs. Herbivore
The key dietary difference explains their behavior. Moles are insectivores that eat earthworms, grubs, and other soil insects. Voles are herbivores that eat grass, roots, bulbs, and the bark of young trees. This is why vole damage is often more directly harmful to your landscaping plants.
Need Help with Yard Mole Removal?
If you are not sure which pest is destroying your yard, contact Frontier Trapper. We offer expert identification and the right removal strategy for the specific pest causing the damage in Overland Park.