Moles, Voles and Shrews Control

Moles : are 5 to 7 inch long, solitary animals that rarely leave their tunnels unless by accident. Moles create extensive burrows in search of their insect prey: earthworms, grubs and beetles. Moles are considered beneficial to the landscape because they cultivate and aerate the soil while eating undesirable grubs and insects. Moles however cause a lot of damage and can do more harm to your landscape than good. These tunnels may cause slight damage to plants by drying the roots, but it is more likely that plant damage is caused by a vole using the mole’s tunnels. The best method to mole removal is generally underground trapping.

 

Shrews : are smaller than moles at 4 to 5 inches long. Shrews, like moles, are strictly insectivorous and eat earthworms, grubs and other nuisance insects. Unlike moles, shrews may occasionally be seen running above ground in search of food. They often use old mole, vole or chipmunk tunnels. 

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Voles : also called meadow mice, are more troublesome. They are herbivores, feeding on grasses, bulbs, tubers, and herbaceous plants. During the winter they may eat tree bark and roots, particularly on fruit trees. If the bark is gnawed around the entire circumference of the tree, the tree may be girdled and die. Voles are slightly larger than moles, reaching lengths of 5 to 8 inches at maturity. They also construct tunnels, or may use old mole tunnels. They produce characteristic surface runways between burrow openings, which are especially noticeable after snowmelt or after removing a layer of mulch. Voles, unlike moles or shrews, are more social and may be present in large numbers.