If your garden is mysteriously torn up and plants are vanishing overnight, it’s easy to blame the usual suspects—mice. But there’s another underground invader you might not have considered: voles. These small, burrowing rodents are often mistaken for mice, yet their habits and the damage they cause are quite different. Correctly identifying the culprit is the first step to solving the problem and protecting your landscape.
Spot the Difference: Vole vs. Mouse
At a glance, voles and mice look similar, but a few key characteristics can help you tell them apart.
Body Shape: Mice have slender bodies, large ears, and long, hairless tails. Voles are chunkier with smaller ears and short, furry tails.
Movement: Mice are agile climbers and jumpers, often found indoors or in elevated spaces. Voles are more likely to stay low and prefer tunneling through grass or soil.
Habitat: Mice seek shelter indoors or near structures, while voles live in fields, gardens, and grassy areas, rarely entering homes.
Clues in the Damage
Knowing what to look for in your yard can quickly reveal which pest you’re dealing with:
Vole Damage
-
Surface runways in grass or mulch
-
Small burrow holes around flower beds
-
Bark gnawing at the base of trees or shrubs
-
Root and bulb destruction beneath the soil
Voles are herbivores and do major damage to gardens, lawns, and landscaping by feeding on roots and seeds and burrowing shallow tunnels that ruin turf.
Mouse Damage
-
Droppings near food sources or along walls
-
Chewed food packaging or wiring
-
Nesting materials like shredded paper or fabric
-
Entry holes around doors, vents, or siding
Mice are opportunistic feeders, often leaving behind clear signs inside homes or storage areas, rather than out in the yard.
Why Identification Matters
Treating the wrong pest wastes time and money. For example, traps placed inside your home won’t solve a vole problem happening entirely outdoors. Likewise, using repellents for burrowing pests won’t stop house mice from nesting in your pantry. Accurate identification is essential to effectively protect your garden, lawn, and home from ongoing damage.
Get Expert Help
If your landscape is suffering and you’re unsure whether it’s voles or mice—or both—it’s time to bring in the experts. Wildlife X Team professionals are trained to assess pest activity accurately and implement the right solution—whether it's humane trapping, habitat modification, or exclusion techniques. We’ll help uncover the source of the damage and create a targeted plan to keep your property rodent-free.
Don't let mystery pests take over. Contact Wildlife X Team today!