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.