Moles and voles: what's the difference?
If your lawn is showing raised ridges or mysterious runways, you have something living in the lawn. But the fix depends entirely on what that something is.
What are moles?
Moles are insectivores, not rodents, with paddle-like feet built for digging. They spend almost their entire lives underground tunneling for earthworms and grubs. That tunneling can disrupt root systems and leave raised ridges across the yard.
While they do aerate soil and eat grubs along the way, the root disruption outweighs the benefits when activity gets heavy.
Sunday Tip:
A single mole can cover a remarkable amount of ground in a day through active tunneling, which means the damage usually looks worse than the population actually is.
What are voles?
Voles are rodents that live above ground and feed directly on grass roots and seeds. Their damage is more straightforward: they eat your lawn rather than just disrupting it.
Most vole damage happens under snow cover in winter, which is why bare patches seem to appear out of nowhere in early spring.
How do I know if I have moles or voles?
Entry hole, then it’s a vole
Look for entry holes. Voles leave small burrow openings about an inch across in the turf. Vole damage also shows as worn runways through the grass.
No hole, you got a mole
Moles push soil up from below, leaving raised ridges with no visible entry point. Mole damage traces a spiderweb pattern of dead grass back toward a central burrow.
How to get rid of moles and voles in your yard
There is no permanent solution. Both animals are part of the surrounding ecosystem and new ones will move in over time. The goal is making your yard less attractive and stay consistent about it.
- Collapse tunnels. Level raised mounds by hand or with a lawn roller. If a tunnel refills within a day or two, it's active. Disrupting the tunnels regularly forces moles to keep reworking their paths.
- Use pets. Dogs and cats are effective deterrents. Their scent and presence is often enough to keep moles and voles from settling in.
- Try castor oil repellent. Castor oil-based repellents are widely used as a non-toxic option that deters moles and voles without harming other wildlife. Sunday doesn't sell a castor oil repellent, but you can find one at your local hardware store. Sunday Tip: Apply as close to the active burrow as possible and coordinate with neighbors if you can. Moles and voles don't respect property lines.
- Set humane traps. If deterrents aren't enough, humane traps can work for both. Voles are more straightforward. Mole traps require more precision. Check them often since captured animals attract scavengers.
- Call a professional. Heavy vole infestations especially can outpace DIY management. If you've worked through the options above without improvement, a local pest professional is worth the call.
A Sunday Custom Lawn Plan won't chase moles or voles out of your yard, but it builds the kind of dense, healthy turf that's more resilient to the damage they leave behind.
Sunday Tip:
Voles often feed on bird seed. Eliminate this food source by placing bird feeders above pavement, pavers or a non-lawn area. Then, sweep up and compost or dispose of seed.
No poison is the Sunday way
Poisoned rodents get consumed by predators and scavengers, which moves the toxin through the food chain. Beyond the ecological concern, poisons are a real hazard for kids and pets, too. Deterrents and physical removal are always the safer path.
Sunday Tip:
Poisoned pests don’t just disappear. They are often fed on by birds of prey like raptors and owls. Protect the birds and skip the poison.
How to repair lawn damage from moles and voles
Collapse and level any remaining tunnels, then firm the soil so roots can reestablish. Bare patches need reseeding.
Sunday's Bare Repair and premium grass seed options are matched to your grass type and region. Water consistently after reseeding and keep foot traffic off until new grass establishes.
Most vole damage recovers within a season with the right seed. (Psst. Find the right seed for your lawn here.)
Frequently asked questions on moles and voles
Can you get rid of moles and voles permanently?
This is unlikely. New animals will move in from surrounding areas over time. Consistent deterrence can keep populations from establishing, but eradication isn't a realistic goal. Effective control is.
Do moles and voles go away in winter?
Neither moles or voles hibernate. Voles are most destructive in winter, feeding on grass roots and bark under snow for months. The bare patches that show up in spring were usually created in December and January. Moles slow down in deep cold but stay active year-round.
A healthier lawn starts with your soil
Sunday builds your plan around your specific grass type, climate, and soil data. Better soil means stronger roots, faster recovery, and a yard that bounces back.
Cited sources
The Difference Between Voles and Moles. New York State IPM Program.
What to do about moles. Michigan State University Extension.
