Voles also have a longer, thinner tail than moles. Voles are rodents unlike moles, so it’s no wonder that they look similar to mice! Shrews are sometimes mistaken for voles and moles. They can be thought of as a mix between the 2: they look mousy, have a long snout, and have visible, small eyes. [2] X Trustworthy Source Penn State Extension Educational organization dedicated to delivering science-based information to people, businesses, and communities Go to source
While voles look very similar to mice, they are usually bigger and stockier. Shrews are smaller than both voles and moles. They are typically 3 to 4 inches (7-10 cm) long. [5] X Trustworthy Source Penn State Extension Educational organization dedicated to delivering science-based information to people, businesses, and communities Go to source
Voles also like to eat the roots and bark off your plants and trees. This can kill your plants, which is another sign you’re dealing with voles rather than moles. An easy way to remember the difference between voles and moles is in the first letter of their names. Voles are vegetarians and moles are meat-eaters.
A mole’s tunnel can uproot your plants. You can stomp on the tunnel to discourage the mole from tunneling around your plants, or move your plants to a safer area. To keep voles out of your garden, create a barrier with cinder blocks, gravel, or wire fencing. Because voles stay low to the ground, they’ll be unlikely to climb over the barrier. [12] X Research source
Voles don’t like to be in open areas, so cover the top and sides of the trap with a piece of cardboard. See if the mole’s tunnels are active before setting a trap. Stomp on sections of each tunnel that you see. If the tunnel is active, the mole will repair the damage within 12 to 24 hours. Or, they might build a brand new one. For more humane ways to get rid of voles, clear your yard of debris, mounds of mulch, and keep your lawn mowed short. Moles might be kept away if you treat your lawn for insects, which removes their food source.
