How can I tell if I have moles or voles?

Moles leave raised, ridged tunnels and cone-shaped mounds and are rarely seen above ground. Voles leave narrow surface runways through the grass, are visible occasionally in daylight, and cause gnawing damage to bark and roots that moles do not.

Do moles eat my plants?

No. Moles eat grubs, earthworms, and other soil insects, not plant material. Root and bulb damage near a tunnel is usually incidental to digging, or is actually caused by voles using the same tunnel system.

Will repellents or vibrating stakes get rid of moles?

Consumer repellents and vibrating stakes have limited and inconsistent results in independent testing. Direct trapping in a confirmed active tunnel is the more reliable method.

Can voles damage my trees permanently?

Yes. Voles can gnaw bark in a full ring around the base of a young tree, which cuts off nutrient flow and can kill the tree. Trunk guards installed before winter are the most effective prevention.

🐹Routine Priority

Mole & Vole Control

Stop the tunnels and root damage without guessing which one you have

Moles and voles cause different damage for different reasons, and mixing up the two leads to the wrong treatment. Moles are insect-eating burrowers that raise ridged tunnels and volcano-shaped mounds while hunting grubs and earthworms. Voles are small rodents that use surface runways through turf and gnaw bark and roots, often around the base of shrubs and young trees. Our program starts by confirming which one is active before choosing trapping, habitat changes, or both.

1-800-PEST-USA Free Inspection

Starting price

$179 to $399

Free inspection & written quote before any work

Licensed & insured technicians
100% satisfaction guarantee
Free re-service if pests return
Available in all 50 states + DC
Same-day or next-day service

Licensed and insured local pros, 50 states + DC

Warning Signs of Mole & Vole Control

Raised, ridged tunnels across the lawn (moles) versus narrow, worn surface runways through the grass (voles)

Volcano-shaped soil mounds with no visible entry hole (moles)

Gnaw marks or missing bark at the base of shrubs and young trees, especially near winter (voles)

Sudden soft or spongy patches in the lawn where a tunnel runs just under the surface

Small, round burrow entrances at the end of a vole runway, often hidden in thick grass or mulch

Seeing any of these signs? Call us immediately, early treatment prevents the problem from growing and reduces total treatment cost.

Our Mole & Vole Control Treatment Methods

We select the most effective approach based on your specific infestation, property, and family situation.

Species Confirmation

We identify the tunnel or runway pattern before treatment, since mole traps and vole traps are placed differently and target different behavior.

Mole Trapping

Scissor or harpoon traps are set directly in active tunnels, identified by pressing down a short test section and checking whether it is re-raised within a day.

Vole Trapping & Runway Treatment

Snap traps are placed directly in active surface runways, where voles reliably travel the same paths repeatedly.

Habitat Modification

Reducing grub populations removes the mole's food source, and clearing mulch and thick ground cover away from trunks reduces vole cover and bark damage.

Why Choose PestRemovalUSA for Mole & Vole Control?

Specialists in mole & vole control, not generalists
Licensed and certified in all 50 states + DC
Written quote before any work begins, no surprises
Family-safe, EPA-registered products only
100% satisfaction guarantee, free re-service if needed
Same-day service available in most metro areas

24/7

Same-day and emergency service available

Call Now: 1-800-PEST-USA

24/7 · No extra charge for emergencies

Prevention Tips

Steps you can take to reduce the risk of future mole & vole control.

Treat the lawn for grubs if mole tunneling is a recurring seasonal pattern

Keep mulch pulled back a few inches from tree trunks and shrub bases to reduce vole cover

Mow regularly and keep grass and ground cover from growing thick and undisturbed

Install wire mesh guards around the base of young or valuable trees for winter protection

Address tunnels and runways early, both species reproduce quickly once established

For ongoing prevention, consider our quarterly protection plans with same-day re-service included if pests return.

Mole & Vole Control FAQs

Related Services

🦝

Wildlife Removal

Humane removal of wildlife from your home and property

Learn more

🐿️

Squirrel Removal

Remove squirrels from your attic before they cause serious damage

Learn more

🦨

Skunk Removal

Humane skunk trapping and odor-safe exclusion under decks, sheds, and porches

Learn more

Ready to Get Rid of Mole & Vole?

Licensed technicians available now. Free inspection. $179 to $399 starting price.

1-800-PEST-USA Get a Free Quote