WHAT'S DESTROYING MY LAWN? MOLES VS VOLES

Moles and voles could be your lawn's biggest enemies. Although they are commonly confused due to their similar names, the damage these two lawn pests cause is equally harmful. Moles feed on insects like grubs and earthworms underground, creating tunnels and soil mounds as they hunt for food. While they scour your lawn for insects, they disrupt the root system of your turf.

Meanwhile, voles will munch on the roots of your grass, creating runways throughout your yard in the process. Don't worry, as treatment options like liquid fence repellant are available! Keep reading to learn more about the damages caused by moles and voles, and how you can keep them away from your property.

How Moles Damage Your Lawn

If you've noticed mounds of soil on your lawn with irregular-shaped tunnels, then it's likely your lawn is being pestered by moles. Moles are underground-dwelling insectivores, which means they feed on insects, grubs, and other soil organisms. They damage your lawn by digging around and looking for insects. As they hunt for food, they create tunnels and displace the soil in their way, hence the volcano-shaped soil mounds. They don't feed on your grass, but they may damage the roots of your turf as they dig their way through your lawn.

These insectivores are most likely to appear after rain, as they prefer moist and loamy soils. If you think their tunnels are bad enough, wait until they start to mate! Moles dig deeper during the mating season, which starts in February. The tunnels they create help aerate your lawn, but you don't really want to see the hideous soil mounds on your property.

If you notice more and more moles on your property, then that could indicate your lawn has a grub problem.

How Voles Damage Your Lawn

While voles sound the same as moles, they are different. Voles are a part of the rodent family, and their herbivorous diet mainly consists of the roots of your grass. They damage your turf by gnawing on the roots and stems of your grass, killing your turf. Like moles, they will dig their way through your lawn, creating golf ball-sized holes as they exit the ground. However, they spend most of their time feeding above ground.

Voles don't create soil mounds but instead produce runways on your lawn where they passed through. You should be concerned when you notice these vole runways on your property. Voles are prolific, meaning they can produce many baby voles per year. Grassy areas and woodpiles are ideal spots where they seek protection.

Voles don't hibernate, meaning they can actively ruin your turf underneath that white blanket of snow.

Taking Action Against Mole & Vole Damage

We understand how confusing it can be to differentiate moles and voles. They cause different damage to your lawn, but treatment options are available to tackle these lawn pests. You can take action against moles and voles through these methods:

• Chemical repellants: A liquid fence is usually the most efficient way to get rid of moles and voles. It works by coating their food source with a solution that will make it taste bad.

• Baits and traps: You can also opt to install traps throughout your lawn to catch these bad guys and then set them free somewhere far from your property. However, these traps are unattractive to look at, and they may not be as effective in reducing the mole and vole population in your yard.

When you start to notice signs of damage on your lawn, like soil mounds and runways throughout your yard, it's best to consult a professional. While most treatment options for moles and voles are usually the same, professionals will know how to properly apply these treatments so these pests won't come running back to your lawn.

Contact our team today to get rid of pesky moles and voles on your property!

Sam's Turf Care, a trusted lawn care services company, has just the right thing to get rid of moles or voles, whichever of these two are ruining your lawn. Our mole and vole repellant treatments use an organic-based liquid fence solution to make insects and grassroots unpalatable to these animals. Because the treatment is organic-based, it won't hurt your lawn or your pets! If you own a property in Independence, Gladstone, North Kansas City, MO, or nearby cities, call us today at (816) 886-1121 to get an estimate for our mole and vole repellant treatments.