Home Lawn: Turf Tips

Do I have moles, voles or both?

As the warmth of spring approaches, new shoots are emerging on ornamental plants, dormant lawns are beginning to turn green, and moles and voles have become much more active and destructive as they search for food to satisfy their voracious appetites.

There is some confusion among homeowners as to the identity of moles versus voles and the damage they cause. Therefore, for successful capture or control, it is important to distinguish the two. The key to any hunter or trapper’s success is becoming familiar with the habits of his prey.

Moles are small furry critters with beak-like noses, tiny rudimentary eyes, no visible ears, paddle-like front feet with claws, and stubby, hairless tails. Their diet consists of earthworms, grubs, beetles, and many other insect larvae.

They create the raised ridges of soil caused by their tunneling through the lawn. Voles (meadow mice) are quite different in that they are vegetarians feeding only on plants. Their appearance is like other small mice with tiny ears, small dark eyes, and distinct tiny toes on all four feet.

With the limited space for this article I cannot go into more detail here for managing each, but if you go to the MSUcares SEARCH page and type in moles, you will be directed to a turf tips newsletter that provides products for control and other Web pages. Follow the same steps for more information on voles.

Published March 17, 2008

Dr. Wayne Wells is an Extension Professor and Turfgrass Specialist. His mailing address is Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, Mail Stop 9555, Mississippi State, MS 39762. wwells@ext.msstate.edu