Johann Hunt
You walk outside to admire your lawn and suddenly spot odd trails or mounds ruining your perfect grass. That’s when the questions begin. Is this a mole’s handwork or a vole’s business at work here? Knowing whether a mole or vole is responsible saves time and guesswork. These ten quick clues can help you spot the difference with confidence.
Check For Nests
Grassy nests near the ground almost always point to voles. They gather dry leaves and blades to shape cozy shelters close to their surface trails. So, a brown-green nest hidden under a shrub is a clear vole signal.
Look For Tunnels
Moles don’t build nests—they construct deep, narrow tunnels beneath the soil. These underground passages serve as their homes. If a tunnel collapses when you step on it, it’s likely part of the mole’s main route.
Examine What’s Being Eaten
Gone veggies with no signs of tunneling? Take the hint—it’s a vole. Unlike moles, which stick to insects, voles eat roots and greens. So, damage above ground without much soil disturbance usually points to a vole infestation.
Inspect Tree Girdling Patterns
A close look at tree trunks may reveal toothy rings near the base—a telltale sign of voles. They chew in full or partial circles, which disrupts sap flow and weakens young trees. Moles leave trees untouched, so visible bark damage narrows it down quickly.
Spot The Dirt Mounds Or The Lack Of Them
Moles often leave behind volcano-shaped dirt piles as they tunnel deeper. If you’re seeing small heaps with no clear entrance hole, that’s a mole’s doing. Voles are stealthier. Their entry points are usually clean, circular holes with no mounding at all.
Look For Gnaw Marks On Plants
Check your plants for signs of gnawing damage. Voles are notorious for chewing bark, often stripping it in rings that can kill young trees. In contrast, moles stick to a diet of insects and won’t damage vegetation. Bark damage? Blame the voles, not the diggers.
Notice The Timing Of The Activity
Voles tend to stay active all year, chewing through the bark and stems during colder months. Moles, however, usually ramp up their tunneling in spring and fall. If the damage suddenly shows up after rain, a mole could be chasing earthworms.
Watch For The Speed Of Damage
Woke up, and your tulips are gone overnight? That’s a vole making quick work of your plants. But mole activity tends to build more gradually. Their tunnels take time to appear, and the damage to the lawn is slow and scattered.
Observe Animal Behavior Around The Yard
Cats or dogs lingering around a specific area can tell you about it. Voles move near the surface, which makes them easier targets for curious pets. Moles, being deeper underground, are usually ignored unless they push up fresh mounds.
Look For Droppings As Clues
Vole droppings are small, oval, and dark—similar to mouse droppings—and can often be found near their runways or nests. So, if you’re spotting such pellet-like waste, that’s a vole giveaway. Moles rarely leave visible droppings on the surface.