How do I get rid of moles and voles?

First, make sure you target the problem. Moles are insect eaters that feed in summer and hibernate in winter. Their tunnels cause ridges in a summer lawn. Voles, which are smaller, mouse-like animals, are the more common culprit. They feed on seeds and plants year-round and wear "runways" in the ground under the ground under the snow, damaging lawns. Such damage is usually discovered in spring.

Moles can be controlled by constantly disturbing their tunnels. Tamp them down and refill the entrances as you discover them. This will often drive moles from your yard. Vole populations are usually large and harder to control. Many gardeners decide it's easier to live with these pests by just protecting the trunks of trees and shrubs with small fences made of hardware cloth and reseeding damaged lawns. You can try trapping voles in fall. Use rat trapes baited with peanut butter and oats. Place traps in a pipe or under some other type of cover to protect songbirds, pets and children.