Voles vs. Moles: How to Tell What Is Damaging Your Lawn

Voles and moles are commonly confused because both can leave behind signs that look like tunneling or damaged turf. But they are very different animals, cause different types of damage, and require different approaches for control. Correctly identifying which one you have is the first step.

In Minnesota and Wisconsin lawns, one of the easiest clues is when the damage appears. Mole activity is commonly noticed during the growing season, while vole damage often becomes obvious after the snow melts in spring.

What Is the Difference Between a Mole and a Vole?

Although their names sound similar, moles and voles are not closely related.

• Moles spend most of their lives underground. They have large front feet designed for digging and primarily feed on earthworms, insects and other organisms living in the soil.

• Voles are small rodents that look somewhat like mice. They primarily feed on grasses, plants, roots, seeds and sometimes the bark of shrubs and young trees.

This difference in how they live and what they eat creates very different damage patterns in the lawn.

How to Identify Mole Damage

The biggest sign of mole activity is raised soil. As moles travel underground looking for food, they push the soil upward. Homeowners may notice raised tunnels running across the lawn or small piles of soil. Common signs include:

• Raised ridges that can be pushed down with your foot
• Soft or uneven areas of turf
• Small soil mounds
• Tunnels that seem to appear quickly

Moles generally are not eating your grass roots. Most of the lawn disruption comes from their tunneling. That tunneling can separate turf roots from the surrounding soil and leave the lawn uneven.

Mole activity can occur throughout the growing season whenever soil conditions and food sources are favorable.

How to Identify Vole Damage

Vole damage looks very different. Voles commonly live in landscaped areas, tall grass and other areas that provide protection. During winter, snow provides additional cover, allowing them to travel across lawns while remaining protected from predators. After the snow melts, homeowners may discover narrow trails of flattened or damaged grass running across the lawn. Common signs include:

• Narrow pathways through the turf
• Matted or chewed grass
• Small nesting areas
• Damage appearing shortly after snow melts
• Chewing around the base of shrubs or young trees

These trails are often called vole runways.

Why Do Moles Show Up in a Lawn?

Moles are usually there because the soil provides food and suitable conditions for tunneling.

Earthworms and other soil organisms are a natural part of healthy soil, so having moles does not necessarily mean there is an insect problem in your lawn.

Moist soil can also make tunneling easier, which is why mole activity may suddenly become more noticeable during certain portions of the year.

Why Do Voles Show Up in a Lawn?

Voles prefer areas where they can stay protected from predators.

Tall vegetation, landscape beds, groundcover and heavy snow cover can all provide that protection.

Winter is especially important. Snow creates a protected space between the ground and the snowpack where voles can move around and feed. You may have no idea they were there until the snow disappears.

Common Misconceptions About Voles and Moles

• If I have moles, I must have grubs. Not necessarily. Moles will eat insects, including grubs, but earthworms make up an important part of their diet. A lawn can have mole activity without having a significant grub problem.
• Moles are eating my grass. Usually they are not. The grass damage associated with moles is generally caused by tunneling and soil disturbance rather than the mole feeding on the turf itself.
• Voles are tunneling underground. Most of the trails homeowners notice from voles are actually at the soil surface, especially underneath winter snow.
• Moles disappear during winter because they hibernate. Moles do not truly hibernate. They can remain active underground throughout the winter, although their activity may be much less noticeable at the surface.

What Can You Do About Mole Damage?

First, determine whether tunnels are still active. Old tunnels can remain visible long after a mole has moved somewhere else. Flattening the tunnels and watching to see whether they are rebuilt can help determine whether activity is ongoing.

If the tunnels are active, trapping is generally one of the most direct ways to control moles.

For lawn repair, lightly press raised tunnels back into contact with the soil. In many cases the existing grass can recover once good soil contact is restored.

What Can You Do About Vole Damage?

Most vole damage is discovered in early spring.

Start by lightly raking the damaged areas. This removes dead and matted grass while encouraging the remaining turf to stand back up.

Many areas will recover naturally once spring growth begins. Areas where the turf was severely damaged may need additional seed.

Around shrubs and young trees, check for bark damage as well. Voles can sometimes cause more serious injury to landscape plants than they do to the lawn itself.

What Can bioLawn Do?

The most important first step is determining whether you actually have moles or voles.

Because the damage can easily be confused, photos or an inspection can help us identify what is happening before recommending treatment.

For active mole problems, control may include baits and repellents. Vole management is generally focused around repelling activity during the winter.

We can also help evaluate damaged turf and determine whether it simply needs time to recover or whether seeding would help speed up the repair.

Can You Prevent Voles and Moles?

Neither problem can be completely prevented.

For voles, reducing tall grass, heavy vegetation and protected hiding areas around the lawn can make the property less attractive. Keeping grass properly mowed heading into winter can also reduce habitat beneath the snow.

Moles are more difficult to prevent because they naturally move through soil looking for food. Their presence does not necessarily indicate something is wrong with your lawn.

The Simplest Way to Remember the Difference

If you see raised tunnels or piles of soil, think moles.

If you see flat trails of damaged grass after the snow melts, think voles.

They may have similar names, but once you know what signs to look for, the difference is usually fairly easy to identify.