Is That Hole from a Groundhog a Vole or a Mole?
For Bill Murry his nemesis is a groundhog but most holes appearing in your law are from either Moles or Voles because grounhogs prefer more wooded habitats on the perimeter of your property. They will happily cut through your lawn for lunch in your vegetable garden
Moles and voles are both small, furry mammals that live in underground burrows, but they are different in several ways. Here are some tips for telling the difference between a mole and a vole:
Their appearance: Moles are typically larger than voles, with a cylindrical body, a pointed snout, and large front paws that are adapted for digging. They have smooth, velvety fur that is usually dark brown or gray. Voles, on the other hand, have a smaller, rounder body and a shorter snout. They have more coarse fur that is usually brown or gray with a lighter underbelly.
More Importantly their diet: Moles are carnivorous and primarily eat insects, earthworms, and other small animals that they find in the soil. They do not eat plants or plant roots. Voles, on the other hand, are herbivores and primarily eat the roots, bulbs, and stems of plants. If your larger plants and bulbs are dropping dead overnight its a Vole
Damage: Moles can cause damage to lawns and gardens by creating raised tunnels and mounds of soil as they dig. They do not eat plants or plant roots, so their damage is primarily cosmetic. Voles, on the other hand, can cause serious damage to plants by eating their roots and stems. They may also girdle the base of trees, which can lead to their death.
By behavior: Moles are solitary animals that spend most of their time underground. They are active year-round, but are more active in the spring and fall. Voles, on the other hand, are social animals that live in colonies and are active year-round. They may create surface runways in addition to their underground burrows. Like mice, you never have just one vole.
By observing the appearance, diet, damage, and behavior of the animal, you can usually tell whether you are dealing with a mole or a vole.
HOW TO RID VOLES AND MOLES FROM YOUR PROPERTY
Here are the steps to get rid of voles and moles:
Identify the pest: The first step is to identify whether the pest in your garden is a mole or a vole. Moles leave long, raised tunnels in your lawn or garden, while voles create small, shallow tunnels.
Remove their food source: Once you have identified the pest, the next step is to remove their food source. Voles feed on grass and plant roots, so removing any dense ground covers and mulch can help deter them. Moles, on the other hand, feed on grubs and insects, so reducing the population of these pests can help get rid of moles.
Create barriers: Creating barriers around your garden can help keep voles and moles out. This can include planting certain types of plants that they don't like, using wire mesh around garden beds or raised beds, or burying a mesh barrier several inches into the soil to prevent them from tunneling under it.
Use repellents: There are several natural repellents that can help keep voles and moles away. Castor oil-based repellents can be effective against both pests, while planting certain types of plants such as alliums, daffodils, and fritillarias can help repel voles. Planting onions around the borders will repel both mols and voles and provide a decorative top for most of the growing season.
Use traps: If repellents and barriers are not effective, trapping is another option. Live traps can be used to capture voles, while mole traps can be used to kill moles. It's important to follow the instructions carefully and check the traps regularly.
Call a professional: If the infestation is severe or if you are unsure how to get rid of voles and moles, it may be best to call a professional pest control service. They can provide expert advice and use safe and effective methods to remove the pests from your garden. Helpful advice small have a heart traps trap only small animals and large traps attract larger rodents from ground hogs to possums and skunks.
