Moles and voles: their names sound similar, and they both spend time underground, leading many gardeners to confuse them. However, these creatures are vastly different, with distinct habits, diets, and the type of damage they inflict on lawns and gardens. Understanding these differences is crucial for effective identification and implementing targeted control measures. Misidentifying them can lead to wasted time, effort, and resources, potentially exacerbating the problem. This article will delve deep into the world of moles and voles, exploring their physical characteristics, behaviors, habitat preferences, and the telltale signs they leave behind.
Physical Appearance: A Head-to-Toe Comparison
The first step in distinguishing between a mole and a vole is to examine their physical attributes. While both are small mammals, their appearances differ significantly upon closer inspection.
Moles: Masters of Subterranean Living
Moles are built for digging. Their most distinctive feature is their large, powerful front paws, which are broad and spade-shaped, perfectly adapted for excavating tunnels. These paws are turned outwards, further enhancing their digging prowess. Their bodies are typically cylindrical, ranging in length from 4 to 7 inches, and covered in dense, velvety fur that can be gray, brown, or black. This fur allows them to move easily both forward and backward in their tunnels. Their tails are short and nearly hairless.
Moles have small eyes, often hidden beneath their fur, and their vision is poor. They rely heavily on their sense of touch and smell to navigate their underground world. Their snouts are elongated and pointed, equipped with sensitive whiskers that help them detect prey in the soil. They also lack external ears, further streamlining their bodies for subterranean life.
Voles: Mouse-like Herbivores of the Undergrowth
Voles, on the other hand, resemble mice or small rodents. They have a more slender body shape than moles, typically measuring 3 to 9 inches in length, including their tail. Their fur is usually brown or gray and is less dense and velvety than a mole’s fur. Their tails are generally longer than a mole’s, often comprising a significant portion of their overall length.
Voles have well-developed eyes and visible ears, giving them a more rodent-like appearance. Their snouts are shorter and blunter than those of moles, and they lack the specialized digging adaptations. They have sharp incisors that are used for gnawing on vegetation.
Diet and Feeding Habits: Carnivore vs. Herbivore
The dietary preferences of moles and voles are vastly different, reflecting their distinct roles in the ecosystem and the type of damage they cause in gardens.
Moles: Insectivores of the Soil
Moles are primarily insectivores, meaning their diet consists mainly of insects, earthworms, grubs, and other invertebrates found in the soil. They are voracious eaters and can consume a large amount of food each day, often exceeding their own body weight. They create extensive tunnel systems to search for prey, and their digging activities are driven by their constant need to find food.
Moles do not eat plant roots or bulbs. The damage attributed to moles is usually indirect, resulting from their tunneling activities disrupting plant roots and creating unsightly mounds in lawns. While the tunnels themselves can be damaging, the mole’s primary goal is to find food, not to destroy vegetation.
Voles: Herbivores with a Taste for Plants
Voles are herbivores, and their diet consists mainly of plant matter. They feed on grasses, seeds, roots, bulbs, tubers, and the bark of young trees and shrubs. Unlike moles, voles directly damage plants by gnawing on their roots and stems. This can lead to stunted growth, wilting, and even death of plants.
Voles often create shallow runways on the surface of the ground, hidden beneath vegetation or snow cover. These runways provide easy access to their food sources and protect them from predators. They are particularly fond of girdling young trees and shrubs, especially during the winter months when other food sources are scarce.
Habitat and Behavior: Above and Below Ground
The habitats and behaviors of moles and voles also differ significantly, influencing their impact on gardens and lawns.
Moles: Subterranean Specialists
Moles are almost entirely subterranean, spending the majority of their lives underground in their extensive tunnel systems. They are solitary creatures, except during breeding season, and each mole typically maintains its own network of tunnels. Their tunnels can be quite complex, including main runways that are used for travel and feeding, as well as nesting chambers.
Moles are active year-round, even during the winter months, although they may dig deeper to avoid freezing temperatures. They are most active during the early morning and late evening hours. Their presence is usually indicated by the presence of molehills, which are mounds of soil pushed up from their tunnels.
Voles: Surface Dwellers with Underground Connections
Voles are more surface-oriented than moles, although they do utilize underground burrows for shelter and nesting. They are often found in areas with dense vegetation, such as meadows, grasslands, and woodlands. They are also more social than moles, and several voles may share a common burrow system.
Voles are active both day and night, and they do not hibernate during the winter. They are prolific breeders, and their populations can increase rapidly under favorable conditions. Their presence is often indicated by the presence of surface runways, gnawed stems, and damaged roots.
Signs of Infestation: Detecting Their Presence
Identifying the signs of mole or vole activity is crucial for determining the appropriate course of action.
Mole Activity: Mounds and Ridges
The most obvious sign of mole activity is the presence of molehills, which are conical mounds of soil pushed up from their tunnels. These mounds are often scattered across lawns and gardens, creating an unsightly and uneven surface. Moles also create raised ridges in the soil as they tunnel just beneath the surface. These ridges can disrupt plant roots and create tripping hazards.
Mole damage is often more cosmetic than destructive, although the tunneling can dislodge plants and create pathways for other pests. The presence of molehills does not necessarily indicate a large infestation, as a single mole can create a significant amount of tunneling.
Vole Activity: Runways and Gnawing
Vole activity is often indicated by the presence of surface runways, which are shallow, well-defined paths through the grass or leaf litter. These runways are typically 1 to 2 inches wide and connect different feeding areas and burrow entrances. Voles also leave behind signs of gnawing on stems, roots, and bark.
Vole damage can be more severe than mole damage, as they directly damage plants by feeding on their roots and stems. They are particularly fond of girdling young trees and shrubs, which can kill the plants. Voles can also damage lawns by creating large, bare patches where they have eaten the grass.
Damage Assessment: Evaluating the Impact
Once you’ve identified the presence of moles or voles, it’s important to assess the extent of the damage they are causing.
Mole Damage: Cosmetic vs. Structural
Mole damage is often more cosmetic than structural. The molehills can be unsightly and create an uneven surface in lawns, and the tunneling can dislodge plants and create tripping hazards. However, moles do not typically eat plant roots or bulbs, so the damage is usually indirect. In some cases, mole tunnels can provide pathways for other pests, such as voles, to access plants.
The extent of mole damage can vary depending on the type of soil, the availability of food, and the size of the mole population. In areas with loose, sandy soil, moles can tunnel more easily and create more extensive damage.
Vole Damage: Direct and Destructive
Vole damage is more direct and destructive than mole damage. Voles feed on plant roots, stems, and bark, which can lead to stunted growth, wilting, and even death of plants. They are particularly fond of girdling young trees and shrubs, which can kill the plants. Voles can also damage lawns by creating large, bare patches where they have eaten the grass.
The extent of vole damage can vary depending on the type of vegetation, the size of the vole population, and the availability of food. In areas with dense vegetation and abundant food sources, vole populations can increase rapidly and cause significant damage.
Control and Prevention: Managing the Pests
Effective control and prevention strategies differ for moles and voles due to their different behaviors and diets.
Mole Control: Targeting Their Food Source
Mole control can be challenging, as they are difficult to trap and their tunnels can be extensive. The most effective approach is to target their food source, such as grubs and other soil-dwelling insects. Applying insecticides to control grubs can reduce the mole’s food supply and encourage them to move elsewhere.
Trapping is another option for mole control, but it requires patience and skill. There are several types of mole traps available, including scissor traps and harpoon traps. These traps are typically placed in active tunnels and are designed to kill the mole when it triggers the trap.
Repellents are also available, but their effectiveness is variable. Some repellents contain castor oil, which is thought to be irritating to moles. However, repellents may only provide temporary relief and may not be effective in areas with high mole populations.
Vole Control: Protecting Plants and Reducing Habitat
Vole control focuses on protecting plants and reducing their habitat. One of the most effective methods is to use hardware cloth or wire mesh to protect the roots and stems of vulnerable plants. This can be particularly helpful for protecting young trees and shrubs from girdling.
Habitat modification can also help to reduce vole populations. Removing dense vegetation, such as ground cover and weeds, can make the area less attractive to voles. Keeping lawns mowed short can also reduce their habitat.
Trapping is another option for vole control. Mouse traps baited with peanut butter or apple slices can be effective in trapping voles. The traps should be placed near vole runways or burrow entrances.
Repellents are also available, but their effectiveness is variable. Some repellents contain capsaicin, the active ingredient in chili peppers, which is thought to be irritating to voles. However, repellents may only provide temporary relief and may not be effective in areas with high vole populations.
By understanding the differences between moles and voles, gardeners can effectively identify these pests and implement targeted control measures to protect their lawns and gardens. Accurate identification and appropriate action are key to minimizing damage and maintaining a healthy, thriving landscape.
What are the main physical differences between moles and voles?
Moles are typically larger than voles, measuring 6 to 8 inches in length, and have a cylindrical body shape. They are characterized by their small eyes, nearly hidden ears, and prominent, paddle-like front feet adapted for digging. Their fur is typically a dark grey to brown, and their noses are pointed and pink.
Voles, on the other hand, are smaller, usually 3 to 5 inches long, with a stockier build. They possess visible eyes and ears, and their tails are relatively short compared to their body length. Their fur is generally brown or grey, and they resemble mice or field mice in appearance.
What kind of damage do moles cause in a garden or lawn?
Moles primarily cause damage through their tunneling activities. These tunnels can disrupt plant roots, leading to wilting or death. Furthermore, the raised ridges and molehills created by their digging can be unsightly and uneven, making it difficult to mow or walk on the lawn.
Although moles primarily feed on insects and grubs found in the soil, their tunneling can indirectly damage plants. The tunnels can also provide pathways for other rodents, like voles, which then directly feed on plant roots and bulbs, further compounding the problem.
What type of damage do voles inflict on plants?
Voles are herbivores and cause damage by directly feeding on various plant parts. They commonly gnaw on the bark of trees and shrubs, especially during the winter when other food sources are scarce. This girdling can severely damage or even kill young trees and shrubs.
Additionally, voles consume plant roots, bulbs, and tubers, causing significant damage to gardens, flowerbeds, and vegetable crops. They often create shallow tunnels on the surface, marked by runways in the grass or mulch, providing them easy access to plant roots.
How do moles and voles differ in their diet?
Moles are primarily insectivores, meaning their diet mainly consists of insects, earthworms, grubs, and other invertebrates found in the soil. They are beneficial in controlling soil-dwelling pests that can damage plant roots.
Voles, however, are herbivores, primarily feeding on plants. Their diet includes grasses, seeds, roots, bulbs, tubers, and the bark of trees and shrubs. This difference in diet is a key factor in distinguishing between mole and vole damage.
What are the telltale signs of a mole infestation versus a vole infestation?
The most obvious sign of a mole infestation is the presence of raised ridges and molehills (conical mounds of soil) on the lawn. These are a direct result of moles digging their extensive tunnel systems underground.
Vole infestations are often indicated by shallow surface runways in the grass or mulch, usually about 2 inches wide. You might also find girdled tree trunks or chewed plant roots and bulbs, coupled with small, dime-sized exit holes near the base of plants.
What are some humane methods for controlling moles?
One humane method for controlling moles is to use live traps designed specifically for moles. These traps capture the moles without harming them, allowing you to relocate them to a more suitable habitat far from your garden.
Another option is to reduce the population of their primary food source – grubs and other soil-dwelling insects. Applying beneficial nematodes or using organic grub control products can decrease the food supply, encouraging moles to move elsewhere in search of sustenance.
What are some effective methods for managing vole populations in a garden?
One effective strategy for managing vole populations is to eliminate ground cover and vegetation that provides them with shelter. Keeping grass short around trees and shrubs, and removing dense mulch near plant bases, makes them more vulnerable to predators.
Installing vole guards around the base of young trees and shrubs can protect them from girdling. These guards, made of wire mesh or plastic, create a physical barrier that prevents voles from accessing the bark.