Vole and Mole Control Calgary | How to Protect Your Lawn from Burrowing Pests 

Learn how to identify and control voles and moles in your lawn or garden. Discover the best prevention tips, damage signs, and proven pest control solutions in Calgary. 

What Are Voles?

Voles, sometimes called meadow mice, are small, burrowing rodents that look similar to mice but with shorter tails, rounder bodies, and smaller eyes and ears. They are active year-round and live both above and below ground, feeding on grass, roots, bulbs, and tree bark.

Unlike moles, which eat insects and grubs, voles feed directly on plant material, causing significant lawn and garden damage.

What Are Moles?

Moles are insect-eating mammals with pointed snouts, large digging claws, and small, nearly invisible eyes. They tunnel underground in search of worms and insects, leaving raised ridges and soil mounds across your yard.

While moles don’t eat plants directly, their tunneling can uproot grass and garden beds, making your lawn uneven and unsightly.

Why You Should Be Concerned About Voles and Moles

Both voles and moles can cause extensive lawn and garden damage if not controlled early.
Common signs of infestation include:

• Shallow surface runways or trails in the grass
  
  

• Burrow holes around garden beds or trees
  
  

• Raised ridges or soil mounds caused by tunneling
  
  

• Chewed grass roots, bulbs, and bark
  
  

Voles reproduce quickly, with multiple litters per year, meaning a small infestation can rapidly spread through your entire yard.

How to Identify Vole vs. Mole Damage

Feature Voles Moles

Diet Grass, roots, bark, bulbs Worms, insects, grubs

Visible Damage Runways and gnawed plants Raised ridges and mounds

Burrow Holes Small (about 4 cm wide) Hidden tunnels underground

Season Active Year-round Mainly spring and fall

How to Prevent and Control Voles and Moles

1. Eliminate Food Sources

• Reduce thatch, weeds, and dense ground cover where voles hide.
  
  

• Remove fallen fruit, seeds, and dense mulch.
  
  

• For moles, apply grub control treatments to limit their food source.
  
  

2. Keep Your Lawn Clean and Trimmed

Voles prefer dense vegetation for cover. Regularly mow your lawn, trim shrubs, and remove debris piles to discourage nesting.

3. Protect Trees and Plants

Wrap the base of young trees and shrubs with hardware cloth or plastic guards at least 30 cm (12 inches) high and buried 10 cm (4 inches) deep to prevent gnawing.

4. Use Traps and Repellents

• Set snap traps or live traps in active vole runways or tunnel entrances.
  
  

• Use natural repellents containing castor oil, garlic, or peppermint oil to drive away voles and moles.
  
  

• Commercial ultrasonic repellents and vibration stakes can deter burrowing activity.
  
  

5. Encourage Natural Predators

Predators such as owls, hawks, snakes, and cats help keep vole populations under control. Installing perches or nest boxes can attract beneficial wildlife to your yard.

6. Barrier Installation

Install underground wire mesh (¼ inch) around garden beds to prevent burrowing. This is especially useful for protecting flower bulbs and vegetable gardens.

Chemical and Professional Control

If natural methods aren’t enough, professional vole and mole control may be necessary:

• Licensed pest technicians can apply rodenticides or bait stations approved by Health Canada (PCP number required).
  
  

• Soil-safe repellents and eco-friendly treatments can eliminate activity without harming pets or wildlife.
  
  

Always follow label directions when using pesticides and avoid applying in areas accessible to children or animals.

Summary: Best Ways to Control Voles and Moles

• Keep lawns trimmed and clean
  
  

• Remove weeds and ground cover
  
  

• Protect tree bases and garden beds
  
  

• Use traps or natural repellents
  
  

• Encourage natural predators
  
  

• Seek professional pest control if infestation continues
  
  

By combining preventive care and professional treatments, you can keep your Calgary lawn and garden free of voles and moles — restoring a healthy, damage-free yard.

Local Tip:
If you notice vole runways or mole tunnels in your yard, don’t wait for the damage to spread. Contact Pest Pro Exterminator Calgary for expert vole and mole control services that protect your property year-round.