Identifying that hole: Is it a mole hole, or a vole hole?

Moles and voles. They may sound similar but their methods of damaging your garden could not be more different. When you know what to look for you will quickly be able to see whether you have a mole or vole in residence. The differences in their tunnelling styles are down to their diet, and understanding this is the key to successful identification

Voles

Voles are not as well recognised as moles. Ask most people about voles and they will immediately think of river voles, which tunnel into riverbanks. The loveable Ratty in Wind in the Willows was based on a river vole. In fact, there are three types of vole - river, bank and field voles. They are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act of 1981, so they are a species to celebrate if you do find their little holes in your garden. They cause damage, but it is not as serious as mole damage, and can usually be repaired quite simply with some top dressing and grass seed. Fields voles, which you are most likely to find, are plant-eating rodents, who feed on grass, roots, seeds and bulbs. They can strip bark off trees and nibble through young saplings. They will be usually be found in grassland, gardens and meadows. If you find small holes in your garden, about the size of a golf ball, the likelihood is you have a vole. You may find shallow surface tunnels in your lawn, along the edges and under trees.

Moles

Moles are universally admired in popular culture, but are a great deal less endearing if you suddenly find them in your garden. Unlike voles, they are insectivores, so they live by burrowing under the soil and consuming the worms they encounter as they go. They need to eat a large number of worms every day, so once they arrive you could find your garden riddled with tunnels and distinctive molehills in quite a short period. A busy mole can dig 100 feet in one day, and as they live two to three years and have litters of around five babies, it is not hard to see how the appearance this tiny animal can become a real headache for homeowners.

Moles live and feed exclusively underground, so you are unlikely to see one above ground unless it has been caught by a cat or dog. They produce mountains of earth when they break out upwards through a hole to the surface of the lawn. The mole can produce six hills a day if it is particularly active, and can do a great deal of harm to gardens and green areas, such as golf courses.

Act Fast

Swift action is the key to sorting a mole problem. The sooner you act, the more chance you have of nipping the problem in the bud before breeding begins. If you notice molehills, or raised ridges in your garden, get in touch with a professional mole removal company to discuss your options.

For a reliable, honest and cost-effective mole control service in and around Reading, call Pest Control Services today. We'll offer the best in mole control and pest control generally: that's a promise!

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