If you’re seeing mysterious tunnels or dead patches in your lawn, you’re not alone. Lawns in Los Gatos are prime real estate—for moles and voles, that is.
But before you start placing traps or using repellents, make sure you know which pest you’re dealing with.
Moles and voles may both tear up your yard, but they do it in very different ways. In this blog, we break down all the details.
Key Takeaways
- Figure out if it’s moles or voles before you treat the problem, because using the wrong method wastes time and won’t stop the damage.
- Moles leave raised tunnels and mounds, while voles make surface trails, golf ball-sized holes at the end of runways, and chew through grass, roots, and bark.
- Call Smith’s Pest Management to get rid of moles and voles in Los Gatos with humane, effective methods like CO₂ fumigation and trapping.
What Mole Damage Looks Like
Moles are insectivores. That means they’re after grubs, earthworms, and other tasty underground critters—not your plants.
But while they’re not eating your grass or veggies, they do mess up your lawn.
Signs of Mole Activity:
- Raised tunnels snaking across the lawn like little underground highways
- Molehills (volcano-shaped piles of dirt) that pop up overnight
- Grass that feels squishy or sinks when you walk on it
Moles dig deep. Their main tunnels can be 8–12 inches underground, but the raised surface tunnels (where they’re foraging) are closer to the surface.
These can ruin your turf’s root system, even if the moles aren’t munching the grass itself.
Pro tip: If you stomp the tunnels down and they pop back up within a day or two, a mole’s probably still active in that area.
What Vole Damage Looks Like
Voles are rodents. Think of them like tiny field mice with a love for plants. These guys will eat your grass, bulbs, bark, and roots—and they do it fast.
Signs of Vole Activity:
- Shallow surface runways—narrow, 1-1/2 inches wide paths worn into the grass
- Golf ball-sized holes at the end of runways
- Grass clipping piles or chewed vegetation near the runways
- Gnawed bark around the base of trees and shrubs (especially in winter)
- No mounds—voles don’t leave dirt piles like moles do
Voles often use old mole tunnels too. So if you’ve had moles and now your plants are disappearing, chances are you’ve got a vole crash party going on.
Pro tip: Vole trails usually look like someone dragged a garden hose across your lawn for a month straight. If it’s brown, narrow, and winding, it’s probably vole-made.
Mole vs. Vole: Quick Comparison
| Feature | Moles | Voles |
| Diet | Insects, earthworms | Grass, roots, bulbs, bark |
| Tunnels | Raised, with soil mounds | Shallow surface runways, golf ball-sized holes at the end of runways, no mounds |
| Soil Mounds | Yes (volcano-shaped) | No |
| Lawn Feel | Soft, sunken spots | Chewed, worn grass paths |
| Visible Rodents? | Rarely seen | Occasionally seen above ground |
What Should You Do Next?
Once you’ve figured out whether it’s moles or voles (or both—yep, it happens), you can tailor your approach.
For Moles:
- Reduce their food source (grubs, earthworms—though we like worms, so use caution)
- Try mole traps placed along active tunnels
- Use repellents like castor oil granules as a deterrent
- Avoid overwatering your lawn; soggy soil attracts worms and moles
For Voles:
- Cut back overgrown grass and keep mulch away from tree trunks
- Install tree guards if they’re gnawing bark
- Use vole bait stations or snap traps (always be mindful of pets and non-target animals)
- Encourage natural predators like owls, hawks, and even outdoor cats
And if the problem’s bigger than a few DIY fixes, it’s time to call in pest professionals who know how to handle the job humanely and effectively.
How Pest Professionals Get Rid of Moles and Voles
When DIY methods aren’t cutting it—or if you’re seeing widespread lawn damage—pest control pros bring out the heavy hitters.
At Smith’s Pest Management, we use a science-based approach with the least impact possible, because your lawn should be safe for your family and your soil.
Here’s how we handle it:
- Trapping: We use precision-placed traps in active tunnels, adjusted based on mole and vole behavior. Timing and placement are everything.
- CO₂ Fumigation: This is one of the most humane and eco-friendly options for moles and voles. We flood active tunnels with carbon dioxide, painlessly dispatching the animals without leaving toxins in the soil.
- Habitat Modification: We can help you identify what’s attracting pests and guide you through landscaping changes that make your yard less inviting.
- Ongoing Monitoring: One-time treatment doesn’t always solve the problem. We offer follow-ups to make sure the pests stay gone.
Are Moles and Voles Wrecking Your Lawn? We Can Help!
Mole or vole, neither one’s a welcome lawn guest—but identifying the culprit is half the battle.
If you’re in Los Gatos and need a hand identifying what’s wrecking your yard, give us a shout at Smith’s Pest Management.
We offer expert mole and vole control services in Los Gatos to help you reclaim your yard and keep it pest-free.
Tired of the digging, chewing, and lawn damage? Let’s put a stop to it—contact us today!
FAQs
Do moles or voles bite?
Moles rarely bite and generally avoid people altogether. Voles can bite if handled, but they’re not aggressive. Still, best to leave them alone and let traps or pros handle it.
When are voles and moles most active?
Moles are active year-round, but especially February through June. Voles are active day and night, and they don’t hibernate, so they are operating year-round.
Do moles and voles carry diseases?
Voles can carry diseases like Lyme disease, hantavirus, and tularemia, though transmission to humans is rare.
Moles are less risky disease-wise, but can host fleas, which could carry diseases. Either way—best not to handle them directly.
