What can I do about moles and voles?
Are you experiencing burrow holes in your garden? Do you see nibbled leaves on your tender plants? What is causing these problems? Your garden damage may be due to a mole or a vole.
Moles and voles are mammals that are active in Western Pennsylvania gardens. There are three species of moles in Pennsylvania; the eastern mole, the hairy-tailed mole, and the star-nosed mole.
Moles are about five to seven inches in length. They usually have one litter of three to five young during March or April. Their dens are about 12-18 inches below ground, and there are normally about three to five dens per acre.
Moles are insectivores, dining on grubs, beetles and worms; in general, moles to not damage your plants. Evidence of mole activity is the presence of extensive shallow tunnels as well as distinctive mole hills.
Voles, on the other hand, are ground-dwellers.
There are four species of voles in Pennsylvania; the meadow vole, the woodland (or pine) vole, the red-backed vole, and the rock vole. Voles have one to five litters a year, with one to 11 young per litter. There can be as many as 15 to 45 voles per acre.
Voles are herbivores and eat plants, seeds, grasses, bulbs, roots and bark. They can cause extensive damage to trees and ornamental plants. Voles generally have an extensive surface runway system with numerous burrow openings.
Based on your visual assessment, you can now determine if your unwanted backyard guests are moles or voles.
To rid your garden of moles and voles, there are a few options to consider. Moles provide some benefit, such as grub control, soil aeration, and movement of soil. During soil movement, the subsoil moves closer to the surface, and hummus moves deeper into the ground.
However, if you no longer want to see the damage caused by the moles' burrowing antics, the workable solutions are limited. Methods that frighten the moles (electronic, magnetic, vibration) or require the use of repellents, toxicants, and fumigants have limited success.
The two most effective methods are trapping the moles and applying a pesticide application to your lawn and garden beds. Keep in mind that moles are present because there is an abundant food supply to support them. Consult with a professional to determine the proper pesticide to use.Voles are classified as nongame mammals and are protected by law. However, they can be controlled when causing damage. There is limited evidence to support control methods such as frightening (electronic, magnetic, vibration), or using repellents and fumigants.More effective methods control voles' access to plants thereby minimizing their damage. Exclusion techniques, such as wire guards and cylinders, keep voles away from plants. Habitat modification includes protecting roots and stems by eliminating weeds, ground cover and litter, which prevent voles from attacking plants.Expose voles to predators by keeping grass three to 6 inches in height and mulching away from trees if you have tree damage. Toxicants, such as zinc phosphide, and anticoagulant baits may be effective but require a certified pesticide applicator for their use.Trapping is effective early in the season before moles and voles multiply. Set mousetraps at burrow openings using peanut butter-oatmeal mixture or apple slices as bait. Check the traps twice a day.Penn State Extension offers extensive information about the distinguishing characteristics and control of moles (https://extension.psu.edu/moles) and voles (https://extension.psu.edu/voles). Additional information that compares moles, voles and shews is available (https://extension.psu.edu/identifying-moles-voles-and-shrews).Do you have moles or voles in your garden? Try the science-based methods for their control recommended by Penn State Extension. Then, send us an email and let us know if our recommendations were effective!Contact the Penn State Extension Master Gardener of Butler County Program at butlermg@gmail.com. If you have questions about moles and voles, call the Butler County Master Gardener Garden Hotline at 724-287 4761, Ext. 7, or email the Master Gardeners at butlermg@psu.edu.Linda R. Johnson is a Penn State Extension Master Gardener of Butler County.
