No Mole Yard

No Mole Yard

            First things first, is it a Mole? Or is it a Vole? Yes there is a difference. The truth is you will fail if you’re treating for Voles and have Moles and vice-a-versa treating for Moles and have Voles. Now that everyone is tongue twisted, let me help you distinguish between Moles and Voles. The first difference is physical appearance, just about every species of Moles have common physical characteristics because of their underground existence, and it is rare to find moles with good vision. Their eyes are very small and covered with a layer of skin then a layer of fur. Their ears do not have any external parts and the opening is covered with fur. The biggest difference is the Mole has a long slender snout and usually hairless, this snout extends in front of the mouth. The tail is about 1 ¼”, quite a bit shorter than a mouse or Vole.  Voles are more apt to be confused with the common house mouse than with Moles. Voles are about 2/3’s larger than a house mouse. The surest way to tell them apart is the tail, a Vole’s tail is fully furred while a house mouse’ is not.

            The reason I bring this up is most customers will say “I have Moles all over the yard” I will in turn ask how do you know they are Moles? And the most common answer is I see them running around all over the yard. Well if they are Moles they are not running around they are underground in their tunnels. If it is running around all over the yard it is likely a Vole, who is content wreaking their havoc by sunshine or moonlight.

            Once you have identified the culprit in your yard, you must use the proper trap, bait or call a professional. This is only my opinion but an honest professional will probably decline a mole/vole job because of the guarantee factor, in my book if I cannot guarantee a job I will not take it on. There are many devices/baits out there that claim to trap, kill, or discourage Moles and Voles. Do not be so quick to believe these claims, pellets that are designed to kill Moles and Voles are a (in my opinion) a waste of your money. A Vole diet (an herbivore) consists of green plants, they also will partake in trees, shrubs, roots, and bulbs, occasionally enjoying a small insect or two, the majority of their diet is plant based. A Mole diet on the other hand (an insectivore) consists of insects and worms that it finds in the soil, their favorite being earthworms. So nowhere do you see pellets in their diet.

            Because of ground conditions spring and fall are the most common times for Mole and Vole damage to lawns, flower beds, and gardens. Their constant digging/tunneling does sometimes ruin your lawn, garden, or flower bed, just remember that it also aerates and mixes the soil in your yard or garden making for a healthier lawn. Voles also play major part in the diet of many predators such as owls, hawks, fox, weasels, opossum, and skunks. Eradicating all the Voles, and Moles may do more harm than good just keep that in mind when your pouring all those pellets down a hole in your lawn.

            As always if you have any questions or concerns feel free to contact me anytime by email 4brothespest@gmail.com or 920-279-5652. Looking for resources on getting rid of your particular pest? Try www.domyownpestcontrol.com and remember before you apply any pesticides or rodenticides READ THE LABEL!!!!

John G Gonzales Jr