Moles vs voles! It’s a battle between two pesky critters that can make their homes in your backyard. Moles and voles have similar names, and their behaviors sometimes match up too. There are over 400 mammal species in the USA, so it’s no wonder many people need a little extra guidance. 

But what is the difference between these two creatures? It’s worth knowing a thing or two about each creature to help you learn prevention measures. Knowing what to look out for will allow you to keep your yard safe from moles and voles alike.

Want to learn more about how these creatures differ and what to do if you spot one? There’s no need to keep digging; you’re already in the right place! Read on to find out more about the differences. 

What Do Moles Look Like?

Moles are small furry creatures about four to seven inches long. They are dark brown almost all over, with two notable features: they have paddle-shaped claws used for digging and long pink noses. You won’t see a mole’s eyes since they’re small and generally hidden in fur. 

You’ll rarely see moles in the flesh. They spend almost their entire lives underground, only coming to the surface occasionally when they need to collect leaves and twigs for nesting material.

What Do Voles Look Like?

Although they may look similar to moles at first glance, voles are very different to moles. They are slightly larger than moles, measuring between five and eight inches. Their fur is a dark gray or brown, a similar color to a mole’s.

Moles look a little like mice, with shiny black eyes and short tails. They spend more time above ground than moles and may be seen quickly darting around your lawn as they go hunting for food. 

Mole vs Vole Tunnels

Both moles and voles dig tunnels. But both dig in quite different ways.

Mole tunnels can be quite elaborate, stretching out for many feet underground. Moles dig at a rate of about 18 feet an hour, and they can live in the same tunnel network for generations before moving on.

These tunnel networks normally sit about a foot underground, although some temporary tunnels will be built closer to the surface. The tunnel networks can contain special chambers for raising young and storing food. 

Voles move in after moles have gone. But they expand the tunnel network for their own uses, creating exit holes throughout the tunnel. These exit holes are smaller than molehills and can pop up all over your lawn, as voles live in large colonies. 

Moles vs Voles

Moles and voles have a lot of differences, but there’s one similarity in the moles vs voles battle: they can cause plenty of damage to your lawn. If you spot signs of their presence, it’s time to call in the experts.

If you’re wondering how to catch moles, we can help. We offer a wide range of pest control services. Contact us today to find out more about how we can help.

We may not see them every day, but there are a whole lot of ground moles burrowing away underground. These are hungry critters, sometimes eating over half their body weight each day.

Many people want to know the answer to the question “what do ground moles eat?” After all, this might help you get to the bottom of why moles are tearing up your yard!

If you want to know a little bit more about the lifecycle of moles, you’ve come to the right place. Read on to find out everything you need to know. 

What Do Ground Moles Eat?

The mole diet consists of bugs, bugs, and more bugs! Whether it’s earthworms, beetles, or millipedes, they love to snack on juicy insects. Bugs are easy for them to find down in the dark soil and they provide plenty of protein too.

This means moles are carnivores. They only eat meat and wouldn’t even consider munching on cabbage or some tomatoes. 

Many people are under the misconception that moles eat plants. Some folks believe moles dig around in gardens because they’re after your plants. In fact, moles sometimes protect plants by eating dangerous bugs.  

That said, moles can cause damage to your plants with excessive digging. They can uproot plants and disturb seeds. 

How Do Moles Find Food?

Moles are almost entirely blind since they have little use for good eyesight underground. Instead, they find food by using their keen sense of smell. Think of the way a pet dog sniffs out treats without seeing them.

As moles go sniffing for bugs, they can cover quite a bit of ground. Their powerful digging claws will tear up the soil and molehills will appear across the grass. They use molehills to create traps for bugs, which can spoil your lawn. 

The Solitary Type

The good news is, if you’ve got a mole in your backyard, there are unlikely to be more than one or two of these critters in the area. Moles live alone and tend to give each other a wide berth.

On the downside, this means it may be quite difficult to find the mole that’s causing all the trouble. That’s why it’s a good idea to call in the experts to help. 

If you notice signs of a ground mole on your property, there’s no reason to delay calling out the professionals. 

Ground Mole Removal Services for Your Yard

We hope you now have the answer to the question “what do ground moles eat?” Moles can cause all kinds of problems if left to their own devices. Although they don’t eat your plants, their antics can be bad for your garden in other ways.

If you need to get moles out of your garden, it’s time to call in the professionals. We’ve got the experience and tools to help you out. Contact us today and find out more about our services.