Voles, Gophers or Moles
How Can I Tell the Difference?
It is possible that you may have voles, gophers, and moles all on the same
property! Sometimes there is confusion figuring out what type of pest(s)
you have because all three of these pests live the majority of their lives
underground and are seldom seen.
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Determine what pest you have by looking for the signs of their activity.
Vole signs
Different types of voles exhibit different signs.
Below Ground Foraging Vole Types
have a network of tunnels underground and under the mulch, and they
damage plants from below the ground. They are rarely seen above ground and
only have a few burrow openings. Below ground foraging voles such as the pine
vole like to make tunnels or runs along house foundations, stone walls, and
among perennials and groundcovers. Look for their presence by locating their
circular burrow entrances not more than 1" -1 ½" in size and by lifting
mulch to reveal long narrow trenches or runways that are serpentine and wind
around obstructions. Their tunnel system makes the soil feel soft and spongy
under foot. Many times moles are blamed for this damage because voles can use
mole tunnels to reach plant roots and bulbs.
| Above Ground Foraging Vole Types create above ground grassy runways
in the turf areas that connect to multiple burrow openings grouped in the
same area. They damage lawns by eating the grass to make their clipped runways,
as well as gnawing on the bark of trees and shrubs.
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Picture provided by T Bacchus of WA
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| | Picture provided by Scimetrics Ltd. Corp.
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Sometimes the Above Ground Foraging Vole Type can exhibit
characteristics of voles that forage below ground as well.
Gopher signs (also called Pocket Gophers)
Mounds are formed as the gopher digs its tunnel and pushes the loose dirt to
the surface. The mounds they create are usually fan shaped and clustered in an
area which is characteristic evidence of their presence. Mounds of fresh soil
are a sign of pocket gopher presence within a tunnel system. The hole,
which is off to one side of the mound is usually plugged, keeping intruders
out of burrows.
| | Picture provided by Scimetrics Ltd.
Corp.
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| | Picture provided by Scimetrics Ltd.
Corp.
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Click here to see a side view of a gopher mound compared to a mole mound.
How to determine if a pocket gopher occupies a tunnel system
An easy method to determine if a pocket gopher occupies a tunnel system is to simply dig open the tunnel. If a gopher lives in the tunnel, the hole will be plugged within a day or two.
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Mole signs
Mole mounds are sometimes mistaken for gopher mounds. Mole mounds, however, appear
circular and have a plug in the middle that may or not be easily seen. Mole mounds
are volcano-shaped. Unlike gophers, moles commonly burrow just beneath the surface,
creating a raised ridge along their path.
Moles and voles cause different types of damage. Moles make raised burrows in your
lawn, ground cover, and shrub areas and their tunneling activity raises the soil
into ridges. They are searching for worms and grubs to eat - not roots.
When voles make their tunnels searching for roots to eat, they do not create raised ridges.
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This picture shows signs of mole activity. Moles feed on
earthworms and grubs in the lawn and their tunneling activity
raises the soil into ridges. Their most active tunnels occur
along a permanent structure such as a driveway or walkway.
Below you can see the hills or mounds around their exit holes.
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