European mole(Talpa europaea) andred voles(Myodes glareolus) are two animals that often appear in gardens and allotments, which we consider pests. By building their tunnels and looking for food,they destroy flower beds and lawnsThe symptoms of their activity are similar, but how to know if we are dealing with a mole or a volley? Seewhat is the difference between a mole and a bank voleand how to quickly recognize which one caused damage!
Mole (left) and vole (right)
1. Mole and bank vole - feeding symptoms in the garden
Both the mole and the bank vole are not easy to spot . Most often in gardens we find traces of their activity - damaged beds, damaged plants and lawns.We can tell which animal we are dealing with by the type of damage .
The most characteristic sign of the presence of a moleare molehills, i.e. mounds of earth pushed out of underground tunnels.The mole digs its tunnels about 0.5 m underground . It is so deep that we are not able to determine their routes from the face of the earth.
The bank vole does not create mounds like a mole, but round holes in the ground , often a dozen or so side by side in a small area - on slopes, lawns, flower beds and under trees. The volley digs itstunnels shallowly underground (5 - 15 cm) , which is visible in the form of bulges and cracks in the ground on flowerbeds and vegetable gardens. In addition to holes in the ground and bulges, wilt of plants in the beds is often noticeable.This is the result ofvole undermining and nibbling the roots
These animals feed at different times . The mole is most active in the early morning hours, and later dorms in its nest. The bank vole, on the other hand, forages after dusk, less frequently during the day.
Fun fact!
The bank vole can use the corridors created by the mole when moving around the garden.
2. Mole and voles - differences in diet
The damage caused by both animals is greatly influenced by the differences in their diet.The mole and the voles have a completely different diet!
" The mole is a predator and the main part of his diet isearthworms, which he cleverly immobilizes and stores in his pantry. Therefore, it does not nibble at the roots of the plants andapart from damaging the lawn surface, it does not cause any damage to the garden . "
The vole is herbivorous Her diet includes plant roots, tubers and rhizomes. Unfortunately, vegetables often become her food. Thanks to the ability to climb trees, it also eats fruit. In winter, when food is scarce, it often gnaws the bark of tree trunks and branches, thus causing great damage. Thusvoles directly destroys plants by gnawing and eating their parts
Mole. Photo pixabay.com
3. Mole and bank vole - differences in appearance
Although it is unlikely that we will see any of these animals in the garden while feeding, it is worth knowing thatmole and voles differ significantly in appearance .
The mole has velvety, black fur and a short tailIts body is cylindrical and streamlined, 17 - 20 cm long.The front legs of the mole are strongly developed, flattened - adapted to dig tunnels deep underground They are shaped like a shoulder and have long and strong claws. In addition, they are strongly shortened in the forearms. Due to the structure of its body, the mole moves slowly and awkwardly on the surface of the earth, therefore it very rarely comes out from under the ground. Its snout is pink, shaped like a snout, and its eyes and ears are strongly reduced, practically invisible.
Vole red. Photo depositphotos.com
The vole at first glance resembles a mouse or a hamsterIts body is covered with gray fur with reddish reflections. It has a long, slightly hairy tail. The body of the voles is elongated and reaches about 10 cm in length. The hind legs of the voles are long, suitable for jumping.Vole moves very agile on the ground, can even climb bushes and low treesWhen it senses danger, it escapes to its burrow very quickly. The mouth of the voles is slightly pointed, with long, dark whiskers.The bank vole has two elongated upper incisors that grow throughout life, so the animal must constantly bite something to wear them down. The voles' ears and eyes are large and round.
How to fight moles and voles?
The methods of fighting moles and voles may differ from each otherAnd so, for example, the Target Mole Catcher, often recommended for fighting moles, will not work on voles. So what to do if we are unable to distinguish which of the animals is causing harm to our garden or it seems to us that we are dealing with both a mole and a bank vole? In such situationsit is worth choosing one of the methods, effective for both moles and voles
A good example is the KRETOMAX preparation, applied by spraying, whichhas a deterrent effect on both moles and volesThe composition of the preparation includes natural substances obtained from plants, such as: castor oil (obtained from castor oil), lavender oil and garlic extract.Therefore, plants that repel moles and voles are the basis here, and the extracts obtained from them are safe for use in the garden.
KRETOMAX at an attractive price can be purchased in the shop of our guide. To go to the store, press the image below.
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MSc Eng. Agnieszka Lach
