Voles V/S moles: The lawn damage clue most homeowners get wrong

As soon as any odd-looking trails show up in their lawn, many homeowners automatically think that they have a mole problem. But many of the nation’s university extension offices disagree with such conclusions. This is important since mole and vole lawn problems develop differently, and using the wrong treatment can mean failing to deal with the problem at all.

Initially, there may be some confusion when it comes to identifying lawn damage. After all, both species have been associated with lawn damage, hilly ground, and trails. However, the reason behind their activity is what really sets them apart. For instance, Clemson University’s Home & Garden Information Center explains that moles are insectivores that live underground, whereas voles are herbivores that eat plants, including grass, stems, and plant roots.

Why does diet change the diagnosis?

It would be simplest to distinguish between the two animals based on their diet. The mole relies on an insect diet of bugs, worms, and grubs found under the surface of the soil. The vole, however, is strictly a plant-eater that feeds on the grass, roots, bark, and foliage of garden plants.


As noted by the Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service, if there are indications of grass being cut or gnawed, then it is more likely that the damage was done by voles. This suggests that homeowners who blame their problems on moles that are “eating the lawn” are actually dealing with another issue entirely.

Similarly, the Oregon State University Extension Service also mentions that mole prevention and vole prevention are distinct issues. The former involves techniques such as tunnel disruption and trapping, whereas the latter includes plant protection and minimizing nesting sites for voles. Confusing one with the other will only make matters worse.

What the lawn surface is really showing

Expert sources indicate that the runway or runway-like pattern is itself a strong hint.

For example, the University of Massachusetts Amherst Extension explains that vole destruction occurs primarily in the form of surface runways in grass areas. In such cases, although it may seem that the grass has been clipped down at a low level, the root system usually remains healthy. On the contrary, mole destruction is related to underground tunneling by the mole. In other words, rather than forming surface tracks, mole destruction leads to soil disturbance or mound-like structures.

This can be helpful to quickly narrow the list of possible rodents responsible for the destruction. While the presence of winding tracks in grass areas indicates a higher likelihood of vole destruction, soil heave or tunnels indicate mole presence.

Purdue Extension confirms this difference in patterns, noting that meadow voles make runways in grass areas to which they have access to feed.

Why winter and early spring matter

The season might also be able to provide vital information in this case. As stated by the University of Minnesota Extension Service, vole activity often starts showing itself when the snow melts in late winter or early spring. In winter, the presence of the snow cover would conceal the pathway from view. Once temperatures begin to climb, the homeowners start noticing winding trails on their lawns, thinking that the entire damage was done overnight.

In actuality, however, it may have been a process that took place throughout the winter period. As reported by the University of Illinois Extension Service, vole damage is often confused with mole damage during this time of year. Additionally, according to the report, moles are seldom active in winter, unlike what some people think.

Where voles prefer to hide

Environmental factors are also relevant when identifying these pests. According to the University of Minnesota Extension, voles favor areas covered with grasses, dense plants, bushes, and concealed edges of lawns. Runways of voles are often visible after the snow melts or plant growth is removed.

Another useful tip from the University of Maryland Extension is remembering that “voles are vegetarians; moles eat meat.” As stated by experts, this short phrase could help in determining the correct pest and choosing the appropriate control strategy.

Why the wrong fix can waste time

The biggest mistake is not only making the wrong identification. It is the implementation of the wrong treatment afterward.

As explained by the Washington State University Hortsense Program, the damage that has been identified as being caused by moles is often the result of voles. In mole control, the emphasis is on trapping and flattening the tunnels since they do not feed on the grass. However, if the voles are feeding on the plant tissues at the ground level, then mole control will be ineffective in stopping the damage.

The Penn State Extension also emphasizes that clipped grass pathways indicate vole presence rather than mole activity. Hence, experts in extension programs always advise that proper damage identification comes before implementing any form of pest control.

In conclusion, the crucial clue in the lawn is not only that damage occurs. The pattern in which it occurs is what matters. Narrow clipped runways, especially after the snow melts in winter, suggest that voles are the cause. On the other hand, raised soil mounds and damaged underground tunnels suggest that the moles are the cause.