How to Get Rid of Moles and Voles (Control)
First identify the animal: moles leave raised tunnels and soil mounds, while voles make narrow surface runways and chew plants. Then match the control to the pest. Clear dense cover and guard vulnerable plants against voles; confirm an active mole tunnel before setting a purpose-made trap. Use pesticides only when their current labels allow that pest and site.
A common mistake is to treat every raised line in a lawn as a mole tunnel. Voles also use sheltered paths, but they eat plant material and can damage roots, bulbs, and tree bark. The wrong treatment wastes time and may put pets or wildlife at risk.
I start by looking for fresh signs, not by buying a product. On large lots, damage may occur in one bed or along a single edge, so map the affected area before deciding how much to treat. Keep children and pets away from active work areas, and check local rules before trapping or using a pesticide.
Identify the Pest and Prepare the Site
Moles and voles leave different signs and need different controls. Moles are insect-eating mammals that dig shallow feeding runs and deeper travel tunnels. Voles are small rodents that eat plants and often move along narrow paths hidden in grass or groundcover. Confirm the signs before choosing a method.
Look for fresh damage and inspect it closely. A raised ridge that runs through soil often points to a mole. Some mole activity also produces conical soil mounds. A worn, narrow path through grass, small gnaw marks, or damage near the base of a plant points more toward voles. A mound alone does not confirm which animal caused it.
| Sign | More likely cause | Useful next step |
|---|---|---|
| Raised soil ridges or a reopened underground run | Mole | Test a straight section for activity |
| Conical soil mounds | Mole activity is possible | Look for nearby raised runs |
| Narrow paths through grass or weeds | Vole | Check for plant feeding and gnaw marks |
| Clipped plants or bark damage at the base of trees | Vole | Protect plants and reduce cover |
| Tunnels with no clear feeding damage | Not enough evidence | Observe and map fresh signs |
Mark fresh runs with small stakes or a simple sketch of the property. Note where the damage starts, whether it reaches a garden or tree line, and whether it changes after mowing. This helps you focus effort instead of placing traps or barriers across the whole lot.
For a suspected mole, press down a short section of a fresh, straight tunnel. Check it again within 24 hours. If the tunnel has been reopened, it is likely active. A collapsed tunnel that stays flat is a poor place to set a trap.
For suspected voles, part the grass or groundcover and look for narrow tracks, droppings, and fresh chewing. Do not treat a vole path as a mole tunnel. Voles travel at ground level and feed on plants; a mole trap is not a general-purpose control for them.
Before acting, note nearby pets, livestock, wildlife, and desirable plants. Decide where a barrier or trap can be placed without creating an avoidable hazard. The first practical step is clear: identify the animal, then focus only on the area with fresh activity.
Apply Species-Specific Mole and Vole Controls
Mole control works best when a trap is placed in a confirmed active runway. Vole control usually starts by removing shelter and protecting plants, then may include lawful trapping or a labeled product. These methods are not interchangeable, so use the evidence from your inspection to choose one.
Control moles in active tunnels
A mole runway is an underground passage, not a visible surface trail. Once you have confirmed a straight, active section, set a purpose-designed mole trap there and follow the manufacturer’s directions. The trap type and setting steps vary, so use the instructions for the model you have.
Do not set a trap in a collapsed or inactive run. Check it as often as required by the instructions and local law. Remove any capture promptly and reset only if fresh activity continues. Keep the site secure from children and pets while a trap is set.
Mole traps are a targeted option, but correct placement matters. A trap in the wrong tunnel may catch nothing, even when moles remain elsewhere. Recheck the surrounding ridges and test another fresh straight section if new damage appears.
Reduce vole cover and protect plants
Voles often use dense vegetation and debris as shelter. Mow tall grass, trim weeds, and clear brush or accumulated debris near vulnerable beds and trees. Where practical, avoid leaving a continuous strip of cover from a field or lawn directly to plantings. Keep the work focused; clearing every natural area is not necessary to protect a specific planting.
Physical barriers can protect individual plants. Use ¼-inch hardware cloth, about 6 mm, around vulnerable plants where it fits the site. Bury the lower edge to discourage digging. The depth depends on the location and the animal you are trying to exclude, so check local extension guidance or product instructions for the plant and setting.
For young trees, install a guard that does not press tightly against the trunk. Leave room for growth and inspect it regularly so it does not constrict the bark. Extend the guard above expected snow cover. Voles can feed beneath snow, so a guard that ends at the usual ground level may leave the trunk exposed in winter.
| Method | Best fit | Main checks |
|---|---|---|
| Hardware-cloth barrier | Individual vulnerable plants or beds | Use ¼-inch mesh; bury the lower edge; check for gaps |
| Loose tree guard | Young or vulnerable trees | Allow trunk growth; extend above expected snow; inspect often |
| Habitat reduction | Vole activity in dense grass or brush | Mow and clear cover near plants without disturbing needed vegetation |
| Mole trap | Confirmed active mole runway | Use the right trap, follow its directions, and check as required |
| Labeled pesticide or rodenticide | Only where the label permits the target and site | Follow all label directions and protect non-target animals |
Use products only where the label allows
A pesticide or rodenticide label is the legal instruction for where and how that product may be used. Check that the current label explicitly names the target species and allows the site and application you have in mind. Follow directions for placement, protective equipment, and non-target protection. Local rules may set added limits on pesticide use or trapping.
Never use homemade bait, and do not place bait where the label forbids it. Outdoor bait can harm pets or wildlife directly, or expose animals that eat poisoned prey. If the label does not clearly allow your intended use, do not use the product.
Mothballs, chewing gum, flooding, and sonic devices are not dependable controls. They may fail to address the animal or create other hazards. Put effort into identification, exclusion, habitat changes, and lawful trapping instead.
Inspect Traps, Barriers, and Plant Protection
Control is not a one-time installation. A trap, guard, or barrier needs regular checks to confirm it remains safe and useful. Inspect for fresh activity, loose mesh, trunk growth, and signs that the animal is moving around rather than through the protected area.
For mole traps, follow the maker’s directions and local rules for checking intervals. Keep the area inaccessible to children and pets while the trap is in place. Remove captures promptly. If no activity appears, reassess the tunnel rather than leaving a trap set indefinitely.
For vole barriers, walk the protected planting after installation. Look for open gaps at the soil line or spots where the mesh has shifted. Check tree guards as trunks grow and after snow or yard work. A guard that becomes tight can injure a tree, while one that is too short may leave bark exposed above the snow.
Practical field scenarios
These are examples of how to apply the inspection sequence, not reports of specific properties. If a lawn has raised ridges, test a straight section and use a mole trap only if it reopens. If a young tree has gnaw marks and a worn path through grass, clear nearby cover and install a loose guard suited to the trunk.
If both kinds of signs appear, treat each area on its own evidence. A mole runway near a garden does not explain bark chewing, and a vole path does not confirm a mole is present. Separate the work into marked zones so each control matches the suspected animal.
Record the date, location, sign, and action taken. A short note such as “north bed, fresh gnawing, guard checked” can show whether damage is spreading or stopping. The next step is to maintain protection only where fresh evidence supports it.
Maintain Control and Prevent Seasonal Reinvasion
Long-term control comes from repeated checks and small adjustments. Voles can return when cover grows back or a barrier develops a gap. Moles may keep using active tunnels. Review the site after mowing, seasonal plant changes, and snow cover, then respond to new signs rather than repeating treatments across the whole property.
Keep grass and weeds short near vulnerable trees and beds, and remove brush or debris that gives voles shelter close to plants. This does not guarantee that voles will leave the property, but it can reduce protected routes to the plants you are trying to defend. Keep useful habitat elsewhere when possible.
After winter, inspect guards for damage and look for fresh bark chewing or new surface paths. After yard work, check that mesh remains in place and that equipment has not exposed a gap. If damage continues, reassess the identification and placement before adding another control.
On larger lots, a simple map is more useful than a broad treatment. Mark active mole runs, vole paths, guarded plants, and trap locations. This keeps effort and cost focused and helps prevent accidental use of the wrong method.
The working rule is simple: identify, target, inspect, and adjust. If signs are unclear, damage is extensive, or local rules are uncertain, seek guidance from a local extension service or a qualified pest-control professional. Ask what animal was identified, what method is proposed, and how pets and wildlife will be protected.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I tell whether I have moles or voles?
Moles commonly leave raised soil ridges and sometimes conical mounds. Voles leave narrow surface paths and may chew plants, roots, or bark near the ground.
Do mole traps work on vole paths?
No. A mole trap is designed for an underground mole runway. Voles use surface paths and require different controls, such as plant protection and habitat reduction.
How do I know if a mole tunnel is active?
Press down a short section of a fresh, straight tunnel. Check it within 24 hours. If it has reopened, it is likely active.
What mesh size protects plants from voles?
Use ¼-inch hardware cloth, about 6 mm, where practical. Bury the lower edge, and adjust the installation to the site and target animal.
How high should a tree guard be?
Extend it above expected snow cover, since voles can feed under snow. Leave room for trunk growth and inspect the guard often.
Will removing brush get rid of voles?
It can reduce sheltered routes near plants, but it may not remove all voles. Combine habitat reduction with barriers or other lawful, targeted controls.
Can I use rodent bait outdoors?
Only if the current label permits the target species, site, and application. Follow all label directions and keep bait away from non-target animals.
Are sonic devices or mothballs reliable?
No. They are not dependable control methods. Focus on accurate identification, exclusion, habitat changes, and lawful trapping.
Should I use the same treatment for moles and voles?
No. Moles are insect-eating animals that tunnel underground; voles are rodents that feed on plants. Match the control to the animal.
When should I call a professional?
Get help if the animal is unclear, damage keeps spreading, or you cannot confirm that a product or trap is lawful and safe for your site.
(This article was written by one of our staff writers, Victor Dempsey. Visit our Meet the Team page.)
