While walking the other day, I noticed the outline of an extensive tunnel network burrowing below the grass and the very top layer of soil. It looks like the voles were busy throughout the winter. Out in the middle of the field, they are not a problem, but voles in the yard—along with moles and pocket gophers—are a major nuisance. Here are ways to tell them apart and remedy the situation.

What’s the Difference Between Moles, Voles, and Pocket Gophers?

Moles are insectivores with large, paddle-like front feet equipped with handy claws to dig through the soil. They’re usually dark in color and have a funny-shaped snout.

Moles and Voles: What’s the Difference? 

Voles are herbivores (remember them by thinking of “V” for vegetarian) that resemble a long mouse with a short tail. Their short legs are useful for tunneling.

Moles and voles are between four to six inches long, but pocket gophers can be six to ten inches long and are distinct because of their enormous front teeth and much bigger feet.

The Difference in Mounds

In reality, you’ll probably never see any of them above ground. The easiest way to tell the difference is to examine the type of mound or tunnels they leave behind. With voles, which is what we have in Montana, there are one-and-a-half to two-inch wide tunnels just below the soil with open entrances but no mounds.

Moles have tunnels that tend to protrude above the ground and small, volcano-shaped, closed mounds at the ends of them.

Pocket gophers leave large, sometimes nearly a foot high mounds of fluffy-looking soil.

How to Rid Your Lawn of Voles

Many repellents are on the market, but they do very little when it comes to any of these pests. Poisons are not recommended because of the collateral damage to other species.

One of the best ways to catch voles is to use regular mouse snap traps. Place traps on either side of an active entrance and cover them with a piece of gutter or some other cover so other animals don’t check out the situation. You don’t need to bait them. Check them daily and reset or move them as necessary.

What to Do with Moles

It takes a bit more to catch the moles with traps. There are numerous models, including the Easyset Mole Eliminator or Victor plunger-style trap, which are both lethal. For a more humane option, look for a tunnel trap that allows you to take the mole elsewhere, preferably where the hungry mole won’t chew up the yard.

Speaking of chewing up the yard, though, you have moles because you have a healthy population of bugs or other good things they like to eat. Earthworms are always on the menu, but more importantly, so are grubs for Japanese beetles and the like. Eliminate those, and you’ll reduce your mole issue.

Pocket Gophers are Always a Challenge

Pocket gophers require far more skill to trap effectively. One of the most popular options is a two-pincher trap such as the Macabee or Gophinator, which must be placed within the hole after slightly excavating the mound above the tunnel. It takes patience and consistency to make headway with pocket gophers.

Trapping Pocket Gophers

I’m grateful the vole tunnels weren’t in our yard. During our short, cold winter, they were fine in the field, nibbling on the grasses and prairie flowers’ roots. All wil be well as long as they stay out of the garden.