If your lawn has raised ridges or fresh soil mounds, a mole is the more likely cause. If you see flat surface runways, small open holes, or gnawed grass, bulbs, roots, or bark, suspect voles. A yard can have both because voles may use tunnels originally dug by moles. Check the surface, soil, and plants together before choosing a control method.

One hole or one damaged plant is not enough to identify the animal. Start with the shape of the lawn damage, then check whether soil was pushed upward or plant material was eaten.

Table of Contents

1. Mole vs. Vole Damage at a Glance
2. Is This a Mole or Vole Tunnel?
3. What Does Mole Damage Look Like?
4. What Does Vole Damage Look Like?
5. Can Moles and Voles Be in the Same Yard?
6. Why Correct Identification Matters Before Choosing a Trap
7. What Should You Do Next?
8. Does Fall Change the Signs?
9. 60-Second Mole or Vole Checklist
10. Frequently Asked Questions

Mole vs. Vole Damage at a Glance

The most reliable first clue is whether the route is raised from below or lies flat on the grass. Plant damage then helps confirm the difference.

Is This a Mole or Vole Tunnel?

A raised route under intact turf is more consistent with a mole tunnel. A narrow route lying flat on the lawn is more consistent with a vole runway.

Moles push through soil just below the turf, lifting the surface as they travel. Voles spend more time at or near the surface, where they can press, clip, or remove grass along a runway. The University of Maryland Extension illustrates this difference with raised mole runways and vole routes cut into the grass.

A small hole by itself does not settle the question. Follow the route away from the opening. A hole connected to a flat grass runway points more strongly to a vole. A raised ridge connected to freshly pushed soil points more strongly to a mole. For more detail about the depth and layout of mole routes, see What Do Mole Tunnels Look Like?

What Does Mole Damage Look Like?

Mole damage usually changes the shape of the ground. Look for turf raised into a ridge, loose soil pushed into a mound, or grass that feels lifted from the soil below.

• Raised ridges: Shallow digging pushes the turf upward from below.
• Fresh soil mounds: Soil from deeper excavation reaches the surface.
• Loose or drying turf: Tunneling can reduce contact between grass roots and the soil.
• No clear gnaw marks: Moles mainly feed on soil animals rather than grass, bulbs, or tree bark.

A mole may disturb a root zone without eating the plant. If a bulb is missing or bark has been chewed, inspect for a plant-eating animal instead of assigning all the damage to the visible mole tunnel.

What Does Vole Damage Look Like?

Vole damage usually combines a flat travel route with evidence that plant material has been eaten.

• Flat runways: Narrow paths appear through pressed, clipped, or missing grass.
• Small open holes: Openings may connect directly to the surface runway.
• Gnawed plants: Roots, bulbs, grass, seeds, or bark may show fresh feeding damage.
• Damage near cover: Runways may be easier to find near mulch, dense weeds, long grass, or landscape edges.

Alabama Cooperative Extension notes that vole damage can include dead or dying plants, small irregular gnaw marks, and feeding around roots or stems. This is different from turf that has simply been lifted by underground digging.

Can Moles and Voles Be in the Same Yard?

Yes. Raised ridges and gnawed plants can appear in the same yard because the two animals may be using connected parts of the same underground space.

Voles may take advantage of existing mole tunnels. A mole can create the underground route, while a vole later uses it to reach grass, roots, bulbs, or bark. This is why a visible molehill does not prove that the mole caused every damaged plant nearby.

Treat the signs separately. Raised soil and lifted turf call for a mole activity check. Flat runways, small openings, and fresh gnawing call for a vole assessment.

Why Correct Identification Matters Before Choosing a Trap

A recurring question in POLAFLEX customer messages is whether a mole trap can also be used for voles. The answer is no. POLAFLEX mole traps are designed for mole tunnels, ground activation, and mole travel patterns. They should not be treated as vole-control tools.

This is not only a product-selection issue. If the animal is identified incorrectly, the user may place the wrong tool in the wrong type of route and interpret the lack of results as a trap failure. Identify the surface signs first, then choose a method intended for that animal.

What Should You Do Next?

If the signs point to moles

Do not place a trap automatically on the largest mound. Press and mark several likely horizontal runs, then check which sections rise again. A renewed section is a better candidate for further inspection. Follow the complete process in How to Find Active Mole Tunnels and Identify the Main Runway.

If the signs point to voles

Do not use a POLAFLEX mole trap for a confirmed vole problem. Reduce dense surface cover where appropriate, inspect vulnerable plants, and follow local Extension guidance for vole management. Methods and wildlife rules can vary by location.

If both types of signs are present

Handle them as two separate problems. Test raised mole runs for renewed activity, continue checking flat vole runways and plant damage, and repair the lawn after fresh activity has stopped. For the repair sequence, see How to Repair Mole Damage in Your Lawn.

Does Fall Change the Signs?

Fall can change how easy the signs are to see, but it does not change the basic identification rules. Moist soil can make fresh mole ridges more visible, while long grass, leaves, and mulch can conceal vole runways. The University of New Hampshire Extension notes that both animals are active year-round, so use the condition of the lawn rather than the calendar alone. For a seasonal inspection sequence, use the Fall Mole Control Checklist.

60-Second Mole or Vole Checklist

1. Look across the lawn before disturbing the damaged area.
2. Decide whether the route is raised from below or flat on the grass.
3. Check for a fresh soil mound beside the route.
4. Follow any small opening to see whether it connects to a surface runway.
5. Inspect grass, roots, bulbs, and tree bark for fresh gnawing.
6. If both raised ridges and gnawed plants appear, investigate both animals.
7. Choose a control method only after the signs point consistently to one animal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this a mole or vole tunnel?

A raised tunnel directly under intact turf is more likely a mole route. A narrow, flat runway through clipped or pressed grass is more likely a vole route. Check nearby soil and plants before deciding.

What is the main difference between mole and vole damage?

Mole damage mainly changes the ground by creating raised ridges and soil mounds. Vole damage more often includes flat surface runways and eaten grass, roots, bulbs, or bark.

Do voles use mole tunnels?

Yes. Voles can use existing mole tunnels, which is why one yard may show both raised soil and plant feeding damage.

Can one yard have both moles and voles?

Yes. Evaluate raised ridges and mounds separately from flat runways, small openings, and gnawed plants.

Can a mole trap catch voles?

A mole trap should not be used as a vole-control tool. POLAFLEX mole traps are designed for mole tunnels and mole travel patterns. If the signs point to voles, choose a method intended for voles.

Identify the Damage Before You Choose the Tool

Remember the simplest distinction: moles push the lawn up, while voles travel across the surface and eat plant material. When both patterns appear, investigate both instead of forcing every sign into one explanation.

If you have confirmed active mole routes and need to compare jaw designs or coverage options, visit the POLAFLEX Mole Trap Collection.