How to Get Rid of Moles and Voles

1Know the Difference

Moles and voles cause frustration but in different ways. Moles tunnel underground creating raised ridges and volcano-shaped mounds as they hunt for grubs and earthworms. Voles are small rodents that chew roots, bark, bulbs, and plants near the soil surface, often leaving runways hidden under mulch or snow.

2Reduce Food Sources

Treat lawns for grubs and soil insects to make your yard less attractive to moles. Remove dense groundcover, overgrown areas, and weedy patches that shelter voles. A less hospitable yard means fewer animals choose to move in and stay.

3Repair Habitat Problems

Keep grass trimmed short, remove brush piles, and pull back heavy mulch from foundations and garden beds in early spring. Clean up anything that provides cover close to the ground. Voles in particular thrive under undisturbed organic debris through winter months.

4Protect Plants and Bulbs

Install hardware cloth baskets around valuable bulbs before planting. Wrap the base of young trees with guards to prevent vole gnawing at bark near the soil line. Raised garden beds with hardware cloth bottoms protect roots from both moles and voles tunneling underneath.

5Monitor and Target Active Areas

Fresh raised tunnels and active runways indicate where animals are working right now. Press down a tunnel section and check within 24–48 hours — if it rises again, it is active. Concentrate repellents or bait stations in confirmed active zones for the most effective results.