Help With Small Critters

[jim]

I need help with critters tunneling in my grass. I think they are moles or voles. I have tried all sorts of chemicals, and nothing seems to help. The last on I tried was Shake-A-Way rodent repellent. As you can see, that did not work. I sent the company pictures and I said that their product did not work. They told me to get professional help. HELP!!! Jim

 

[PassnThru]

Doesn't look like moles to me - they've always made larger more distinct runs in my yard. I kill 2 or 3 moles every year - before I got the population under control I was killing at least a dozen per year. Don't know about voles though - I've never had those.

 

[zak77]

I agree, probably not moles. I have an issue where over the summer i started seeing small holes opening up in my lawn, which i thought were chipmunks but this past winter i noticed more holes when the snow melted so it was time to take action. I made up some 1'x1'x4" plywood boxes with covers so i have a place to set some mouse traps and so far i've killed at least 5 mice like critters. I dont believe they're actually mice but they kinda look like them but either way they're getting eliminated. I'd try something similar with the traps if i were you.

 

[ericm]

The above ground below the snow runs are characteristic of voles.

How to Repair Vole Damage to Your Lawn

To repair vole damage on your lawn, assess the damage and rake any debris, then fill the burrow holes and runways, fertilize, and overseed.

www.lawnstarter.com

 

[jkuro]

If Moles, they are easy to get rid of. Moles are after food, they eat bugs. Put some insecticide down kill the bugs and your Moles will move to your neighbor's yard.

 

[niget2002]

My cats kill them. They leave moles on the back porch all spring.

 

[MAD MARK]

Voles.

Set mousetraps sideways along their path. No need to bait as they will follow their own tracks and walk right over the trap.

 

[duneslider]

Voles and mouse traps work great. I have even used sticky traps for them. I usually buy a whole bunch of traps and put them out all along their path. Usually you can find where they are coming from (a hole or path under/behind a more protected area) and place a bunch of traps around the opening.

 

[CombatNinja]

They are in your yard because they are after grubs. Get some good grub control down and they will move on. You still have time to get it down so that it is effective against this year's population. Wait much longer and the grubs will be too developed.

 

[Gogo300]

I’ve had good luck with these.

Solar Mole and Gopher Chaser

Amazing deals on this Solar Mole Chaser at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

need at least two for the best results.

 

[bwringer]

Know your voles from your moles.

And it looks like you've got voles. So anti-mole measures might not do much.

Voles, The Good and The Bad | Wisconsin Pollinators

Voles are small, chunky, ground-dwelling rodents. Mature voles are 5 to 7 inches long and have stocky bodies.

wisconsinpollinators.com

 

[Forgottonia]

No more pests!

 

[dshop]

a friendly outside cat, readily available from the local rescue group should fit the bill.
I have had no mole/ vole problems for a good 15 years with this approach.
give it a try, it's cheap and effective.