Voles & Moles
Voles and moles are common lawn and landscape pests in Connecticut, each causing different types of damage beneath the surface. Voles are small, mouse-like rodents that feed on roots, bulbs, and vegetation, often creating surface runways and damaging ornamental plants.
Moles, on the other hand, are insect-eating mammals that tunnel through soil in search of earthworms and grubs, creating raised ridges and mounds. Although they rarely enter homes, both can create extensive lawn and garden disruption.
Are voles and moles dangerous?
Neither voles nor moles pose significant direct danger to people or pets. They do not typically bite and are not known to spread serious diseases to humans. The primary issue is the structural and landscape damage they cause. Voles can destroy gardens, shrubs, young trees, and turf by feeding on roots and bark. Moles displace soil while tunneling, creating unsightly ridges and mounds that make lawns uneven and difficult to maintain. Their activity can harm landscaping and create tripping hazards if left unmanaged.
Why do I have a vole or mole problem?
Both voles and moles thrive in areas that provide food, shelter, and soft soil.
Voles are drawn to properties with dense vegetation, mulch beds, groundcover plants, bird feeders, and thick thatch where they can hide and feed.
Moles are attracted to moist soil rich in earthworms and insects; irrigation, shaded lawns, and gardens with loose soil create ideal conditions.
If your yard provides abundant food or cover, these pests can quickly establish tunnels and become difficult to remove without professional help.
Where will I find voles and moles?
Voles and moles spend most of their time underground, so signs of their activity are often easier to spot than the animals themselves. Voles create narrow, shallow runways on the surface of the lawn, often visible as paths in grass or mulch, and they may burrow near tree bases, garden beds, retaining walls, and foundation plantings. Moles create deeper tunnels that push up soil into raised ridges or cone-shaped mounds scattered through the yard. Both pests prefer quiet, undisturbed outdoor areas and rarely enter homes, but their presence becomes apparent through damage to lawns, plants, and terrain.
How can I prevent a vole or mole infestation?
- Reduce groundcover: Keep mulch levels low and trim dense vegetation where voles can hide.
- Remove food sources: Clean up fallen seeds near bird feeders and manage grub populations that may attract moles.
- Maintain your lawn: Mow regularly, dethatch when needed, and avoid excess moisture that softens the soil.
- Protect plant bases: Use tree guards or hardware cloth around young trees and shrubs to prevent vole gnawing.
- Improve drainage: Fix low spots and overwatering issues that create soft, damp soil conditions.
- Seal gaps around sheds: Reduce sheltered outdoor spaces where voles may nest.
- Store garden materials properly: Keep woodpiles, compost, and debris piles away from structures and clear of burrow opportunities.
How do I get rid of voles and moles?
Voles and moles are difficult to eliminate without targeted treatments because they spend nearly their entire lives underground. If you are seeing lawn runways, raised tunnels, or damaged plants, contact Northeast Exterminating immediately. Our technicians will determine which pest is active, identify the tunnel systems, and apply effective control methods tailored to each species. With professional intervention, your yard can be restored and protected from recurring damage.
We are experts in the field of pest control and stake our reputation on professional service. All pests are not equal in the sense that they all require a special means of control, and select pesticide to be applied. A member of our team will discuss with you the best possible solution for your specific problem to ensure you get the optimum result quickly.
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