Not sure if you have moles or voles?
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Vole Damage
Vole damage in a yard is often seen as narrow, meandering trails of clipped grass and small holes causing yard damage and leading to underground burrows.
Mole Damage
Moles
Moles are a common pest in Wisconsin, notorious for the extensive tunnel networks they create in pursuit of their primary food source: earthworms and other soil-dwelling invertebrates. While moles are beneficial for aerating the soil and controlling insect populations, their tunneling can disrupt lawns, gardens, and landscapes, creating unsightly mounds and causing damage to plant roots.
Moles are solitary creatures, with each animal maintaining its own network of tunnels that can cover a surprisingly large area. They prefer moist, rich soils, making well-kept lawns and gardens particularly attractive. The presence of moles is often indicated by raised ridges of soil or volcano-shaped mounds where they’ve pushed excess dirt to the surface.
Controlling mole populations can be challenging due to their subterranean lifestyle. Our Mole Defense Program is an environmentally friendly method of reducing populations with a bait that mimics grubs, one of their favorite food sources. This service is offered monthly from April to November when moles are most active. You may also be interested in a Curative or Preventative Grub Control Application to reduce their food source and make your property less appealing to moles.
Voles
Voles, often confused with moles due to their similar names and subterranean habits, are small rodents that pose significant challenges in Wisconsin landscapes. Unlike moles, voles are herbivores, feasting on a variety of plant materials including roots, bulbs, grasses, and seeds. This diet makes them particularly destructive to lawns, gardens, and orchards, where they can cause extensive damage to grass roots, flowers, vegetables, and young trees. Voles are also known for creating numerous shallow, snaking tunnels across lawns, which can ruin the aesthetic of well-kept outdoor spaces.
Identifying vole activity is key to effective management. Look for the presence of their surface tunnels, as well as small, round openings to their burrow systems. Voles also leave behind gnaw marks on tree bark and plant stems, which can be differentiated from other pests by their size and pattern.
To combat vole invasions, habitat modification is essential. Reducing ground cover and tall grasses can make areas less appealing to voles. Protecting young trees with guards can prevent girdling, and planting bulbs in cages can save your flowerbeds. Voles are a persistent pest, so check out our regular Vole Defense Program.
Mice and Other Rodents
Mice, one of the most common pests in Wisconsin homes, are not just a nuisance but also pose health risks by carrying diseases and contaminating food. These small rodents are known for their ability to enter homes through tiny openings, seeking warmth, shelter, and food. Once inside, they can quickly establish nests and reproduce, leading to significant infestations if not addressed promptly. House mice are particularly adept at living alongside humans, making them a persistent problem in residential and commercial properties alike.
Preventing mice infestations involves sealing entry points such as gaps around doors, windows, and utility pipes, ensuring that food is stored in rodent-proof containers, and maintaining a clean environment to minimize food sources. Regular inspection of your home and landscape for signs of mice, such as droppings, gnaw marks, or nesting materials, is crucial for early detection. Green Oasis offers a monthly exterior Rodent Defense Program with bait stations that reduce the population of these pests before they enter the home. This program can also be used to protect against gophers and other small rodents.
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