Moles, Voles and Pasture Holes

The calls are beginning to pour in to every Cooperative Extension Office in the state wanting to know how to eradicate moles and voles in their pastures and yards.  Each year, as the days get longer and the weather gets warmer, these calls become almost a daily occurrence.  It’s important to first identify which critter is responsible for the damage to your grass before deciding on the best control option for you.

DESCRIPTION

Moles are 4-6 inches in length.  They have very short tails and pointed noses.  Moles posses short front legs that are paddle-shaped which allows them to “swim” through soil.  Their eyes and ears are not visible.  Moles are not rodents, they are classified as an insectivore, meaning their diet consists of insects only.  Eighty-Ninety percent of their diet is composed of earthworms, the remaining portion is from other insects such as ants and grubs.  They do NOT eat plant material but do tend to damage root structures while moving around under the soil.  In the Southeastern US, moles breed in February and March and give birth approximately 42 days later (April/May) to 2-5 “pups”.  These pups are ready to leave the nest and become solitary individuals, finding their own area 30-45 days later. 

  

Voles, on the other hand, are true rodents and are very closely related to the house mouse.  Depending on species, voles are 3-5 inches in length with visible ears and eyes.  Their legs are mouse-like and their tails are longer, resembling those of their rodent cousins.  They eat a variety of green vegetation, roots and bulbs and even the bark on trees, causing damage and death to most of the plants they encounter.  Voles mate several times a year and after a gestation period of 3-4 weeks, give birth to 5-10 young.  These young reach sexual maturity in as little as one month and begin having litters of their own.  Because of this, populations of voles can seem to explode over night.

SIGNS 

Moles:

·      Tunnels in pastures or lawns that are pushed up, dome-shaped.

·      Small mounds may be visible – usually 1 - 2 inches high

·       No teeth marks or gnawing on plants

Voles:

·      Small holes without a mound

·      Plants that die unexpectedly without cause

·      Trees/Shrubs that show teeth marks and gnawing from the ground, up

CONTROL

Moles and voles have the same natural predators including: snakes, foxes, coyotes, weasels, birds of prey, domestic cats and dogs.  Creating beneficial habitats for these predatory animals can dramatically tip the scales against moles and voles.  You can work with your local Wildlife Office on habitat creation.  All mole species are protected by law in the state of North Carolina and can not be hunted/trapped without a permit from the North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission.  Voles like lots of vegetation in which to build their burrows.  By maintaining proper heights of grass species, mowing when you should and keeping your barns, fence-lines and out buildings free of brush piles and high organic matter voles will tend to move on.  Most rodenticides are not available for homeowner use and are normally not recommended since other species of wildlife or domesticated animals may be harmed.  Traps are labor intensive and not very effective against either species.  For more information on control techniques, or situations unique to you and your operation, it is strongly advised that you contact your local Cooperative Extension Agent or Wildlife Officer.