Moles, Voles, or Pocket Gophers? Identifying Lawn Damage in Pennsylvania

Round holes in mulched beds with no visible mounds, plus a small brown creature with large front teeth, point to voles—not moles or pocket gophers. Moles create raised tunnels and feed on insects; pocket gophers produce obvious soil mounds. Voles are mouse-sized, eat plants, and use existing mole tunnels. They dig small, dime-sized holes that disappear under mulch.

Before You Treat: Identify Correctly

Misidentification leads to wasted effort. Visit the ICWDM species pages for detailed identification and control guides:

• Vole Control
• Pocket Gopher Control
• Mole Control

Remember: moles are solitary (3–5 per acre) but dig extensively. Voles can exist in high numbers and cause significant plant damage. Sonic devices, granules, and insecticides won't control voles. Use research-based methods from the links above.