Moles are subterranean insectivores that spend nearly their entire lives underground, so their presence is rarely signaled by seeing the animal itself. Instead, the only evidence of their activity is the unique structures they build while tunneling and foraging beneath the turf. Identifying these specific structures is necessary for determining the extent of the activity. The visual characteristics of mole damage are distinct from other common yard pests, making a careful examination of the disturbed soil highly informative.
Identifying the Cone-Shaped Mole Mounds
The most recognizable sign of a mole is the molehill, a small, symmetrical pile of excavated soil. This mound is created when the mole pushes dirt vertically up from its deeper, permanent tunnels. The resulting shape is typically conical or volcano-like, with the loose soil spreading out evenly from a central point.
The fresh soil is usually fine and uniform in texture, contrasting with the clumpy soil found in other pest mounds. A defining characteristic is that the entrance hole is not visible, as it is plugged or obscured directly beneath the center of the cone. The mole simply pushes the displaced soil up and out of a vertical shaft, leaving no open entry point on the surface.
Recognizing Raised Surface Tunnels
In addition to the deeper mounds, moles create shallower tunnels just beneath the grass layer, primarily used for foraging. These tunnels appear as noticeable raised ridges or lines that snake across the lawn, indicating the mole’s search for earthworms and grubs. These surface runs are typically temporary feeding galleries.
These raised ridges are often only an inch or two beneath the turf, making the soil feel spongy or soft when stepped on, and they collapse easily under pressure. Unlike the deeper mounds, these runs do not require a visible dirt pile because the mole simply pushes the soil upward to form the tunnel roof. Following the path of these shallow tunnels can reveal the mole’s travel routes, which are often found near permanent structures like walkways or driveways.
Distinguishing Mole Damage from Other Pests
Correctly identifying mole activity requires differentiating its signs from those of gophers and voles, the two most common sources of confusion. Gopher mounds have a distinct appearance, typically forming a fan or crescent shape rather than the mole’s symmetrical cone. Crucially, the gopher’s entrance hole is visibly plugged with soil and is offset to one side of the mound, not centered.
Vole damage presents very differently, as these small rodents do not create the large dirt mounds seen with moles or gophers. Instead, voles create small, clean-cut, open entry holes, often about one to two inches in diameter. Voles also create visible, above-ground “runways” or trenches through the grass, which are paths where they clip the vegetation close to the ground.
Moles are insectivores and do not eat plants, but voles are herbivores that feed on plant roots and stems, often leading to wilted plants. Moles create damage by physically disrupting the soil with extensive tunneling. Understanding these visual and behavioral differences ensures the correct pest is identified.