Two pests that may be present in the garden are moles and voles. In this week’s tip, we’ll cover the differences between these two subterranean creatures and how you can identify what may be eating your garden and how to evict them once and for all.
Moles:
Moles are mouse-like carnivorous animals that eat worms, grubs, and adult insects. They are carnivorous and generally will not eat or bother your plants. Moles make long tunnels in the ground with the top part of the tunnel visible above ground. This can cause noticeable lawn damage. Despite the appearance of tunnels, moles are seldom seen because they live and feed underground. They are constantly in search of food as they are voracious eaters.
Voles:
Voles are rodents and gnaw at the base of various trees and shrubs – especially in winter. They look like mice, but with shorter tails. They are primarily vegetarian and will eat stems and blades of lawn grass and their damage is mostly caused by burrowing through the root systems of the plants in your vegetable garden. They will eat seeds and bulbs, especially when other food is scarce.
Control of Moles:
Moles are best controlled bye eliminating them or relocating them. To trap moles, mousetraps can bet setup at the opening of a mole tunnel. Ensure that the trap is covered with an opaque bucket or other object to prevent other birds or animals from eating the bait and to trick the mole into thinking the trap is underground. Moles can also be eliminated by using dry ice to suffocate them with carbon dioxide or a shovel with careful watching to see where they are tunneling.
For relocating moles, the most common solution is to use castor oil, in combination with liquid detergent and water (6 oz castor oil, 2 Tbsp liquid detergent to 1 gallon of water). The smell of the oil will drive them away from your garden. Commercial products like Mole-Med can also be used.
Control of Voles:
Voles can be controlled in a similar manner to moles – by eliminating or relocating them. For elimination, mouse traps work well in a similar fashion as for moles. Cats are also very good hunters of rodents like voles. For relocation, you want to make your garden as unappealing a habitat as possible. This means removing tall ground cover, keeping grass trimmed short, and clearing away piles of debris where voles can easily hide. Because voles can reproduce quickly, it is important to have patience and be proactive if you see evidence of voles in the garden.
Cover Image by Serena, used under its Creative Commons license.
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