How to Get Rid of Moles and Voles in Calgary – The 7-Step Plan

If you’re searching for how to get rid of moles and voles, start with correct ID. Moles tunnel for worms and grubs. Voles run on the surface and chew plants, bark, and bulbs. Calgary’s irrigated lawns, mulch, and winter snow cover make yards inviting for both humans and animals.

This guide explains practical steps that work: tighten habitat, protect roots, and use targeted control. Where products are needed, follow label rules and protect kids, pets, and wildlife. If DIY stalls, Major Pest Control Calgary offers guaranteed results and clear follow-ups.

Calgary Reality Check: What You’re Dealing With

Calgary lawns can host both pests. Moles are insect-eaters that tunnel through moist soil in the spring and after irrigation. Voles are small plant-eating rodents that graze under snow cover, then show their damage at melt. Thick mulch, constant shallow watering, and heavy thatch give them cover. Start with ID. Your plan changes with the species.

Quick tells

• Moles: heaved surface tunnels, scattered “volcano” mounds, soft ground underfoot. You rarely see the animal.
  
• Voles: narrow runways on top of the soil, clipped grass, and ¼–½ inch gnaw marks around tree and shrub bases. Rice-like droppings nearby.
  

Moles vs. Voles: Simple ID That Saves Time

Feature	Moles	Voles
Primary sign	Raised soil tunnels/ridges, occasional “volcano” mounds	Surface runways 2–5 cm wide; small holes along edges
Diet	Earthworms, grubs (carnivore)	Grass, roots, bulbs, bark (herbivore)
Plant damage	Usually indirect (root disturbance)	Gnaw marks, bark girdling at the crown
Best controls	Main-run scissor/harpoon traps, limited baiting if labelled	Enclosed snap traps in stations, exclusion, and guards

Rule of thumb: Tunnels + mounds = moles. Runways + gnaw marks = voles.

Timing Matters in Calgary’s Climate

• Late winter to early spring: snow lifts and vole runways appear. Bark damage shows on young trees.
• Spring to fall: mole tunnelling tracks soil moisture. After heavy watering, activity can spike.
• Irrigated lawns and deep mulch: higher risk across the season. Keep mulch under 7.5 cm and avoid nightly misting cycles.

How To Get Rid Of Moles And Voles: The 7-Step Plan

Here are 7 effective plans to get rid of moles and voles in Calgary.

1. Map Activity First

• Mark fresh mole runs (spongy ridges that “re-inflate” overnight).
• Trace vole runways from cover to food sources.
• Log irrigation zones, shady beds, woodpiles, and bird feeders.
  

2. Fix The Habitat (Eco-Friendly And Long-Lasting)

• Mow and edge: Keep turf ~6–7 cm. Edge beds cleanly. Reduce thatch.
• Thin cover: Lift dense groundcovers; prune shrubs to expose soil to light and wind.
• Tidy food: Rake up seed under feeders. Store pet feed and grass seed in sealed bins.
• Water smart: Deep, infrequent watering; fix soggy spots; improve drainage.
• Tree and shrub protection: Wrap trunks with 6 mm hardware cloth 20–30 cm above soil and 10–15 cm below. Keep guards above the winter snowline.
• Mulch management: Keep mulch pulled back from trunks. Avoid thick, continuous mats.
  

3. Guard High-Value Plants

• 6 mm hardware cloth 20–30 cm above the soil and 10–15 cm below.
• Keep guards above the winter snowline.
• Stone collars at stems deter vole gnawing.
• Repair gaps along patios and sidewalks where moles like to run.
• Add vole-resistant edging buried 10–15 cm.
• Compact soil and repair collapsed seams after mole activity.
• Keep grass back from the trunk zone; maintain guards year-round.

4. Mole Control (A Step-By-Step Field Plan)

1. Prove the tunnel is active: Flatten a raised line with your heel. Check 24 hours later. If it reappears, that’s a live run. Mark it with a flag.
2. Place the right trap the right way: Use a scissor, harpoon, or choker-loop trap rated for moles. Set it on a straight, active run, not on random mounds. Bed the trap snug so the trigger plate sits solid. Loose bedding causes misfires.
3. Work with soil moisture: Water deeper, less often. Let the top layer dry between cycles. Earthworms shift lower when the surface dries, and surface tunnelling eases.
4. Skip the myths: Coffee grounds, gum, hose flooding, propane, and home-mixed fumes waste time and raise risk. Smoke bombs and gas cartridges can be regulated or unsafe near foundations.
5. Dig smart: Call Alberta One-Call for utility locates before you stake traps or probe deep runs. A quick locate can prevent a costly hit.

5. Vole Control (Fast Control That Sticks)

1. Expose the travel lanes: Mow low once to reveal paths. Rake thatch. Pull mulch back from beds and trunks so predators can see voles moving.
2. Snap traps that actually catch: Bait with an apple slice or a peanut-butter/oats mix. Place the trap mouth right on the runway. Use pairs per spot for higher catch rates. Cover with a crate, box, or tote with small entry holes to prevent pets and birds from escaping. Check daily.
3. Guard young trees and shrubs: Wrap ¼-inch hardware cloth around trunks. Height: 30 cm above grade. Depth: 5–8 cm into the soil. Keep mulch pulled back from the guard.
4. Tighten up food sources: Bag fallen fruit and store seeds in sealed bins. Move bird feeders out of lawn zones or use catch trays and clean the area frequently.
5. When bait stations make sense: Labelled rodent baits can help in fenced areas with high vole pressure. Use locked, anchored stations. Keep stations out of reach of kids, pets, and non-target wildlife. Read the label and follow it line by line.

6. Repair & Exclude

• Seal gaps at patios, sidewalks, and retaining walls (standard mole lines).
• Install vole-resistant edging buried 10–15 cm in recurring beds.
• Compact and top up collapsed seams in play areas and paths.

7. Monitor, Then Escalate

• Daily checks (first 7 days): Re-check traps/stations every 24 hours and move or reset to a fresh sign.
• Keep a simple log: Date • location • sign • action • outcome. (A quick photo helps.)
• Pre-bait if trap-shy (voles): Leave traps unset with attractant for 24 hours, then arm.
• Know when you’re clear: Moles: no new ridges for 72 hours—voles: no new runways/gnawing for 7 days.
• Escalate quickly: If the activity persists after 7–10 days or crosses fences/greenbelts, coordinate with neighbours or call a professional for a coordinated plan.
  

What To Do And Not To Do to Get Rid of Moles and Voles

Before you spend money or make your lawn worse, avoid these common mistakes people make when tackling moles and voles in Calgary. Use the “Do This Instead” column to choose safe, compliant actions that deliver faster, longer-lasting results.

❌ Mistake (Don’t Do This)	⚠️ Why It’s Bad	✅ Do This Instead
Spray lawns “for moles.”	Soft, wet soil invites more tunnelling and root disturbance.	Confirm active tunnels and set scissor/harpoon traps precisely on main runs.
Over-water to “heal” turf.	If truly necessary, use PCP-registered bait inside locked, labelled stations—or opt for trapping/exclusion.	Water deeply, infrequently. Fix soggy spots (such as drainage/French drain issues). Keep the turf at 6–7 cm high.
Broadcast loose bait.	Unsafe for pets/wildlife; often non-compliant with labels.	If truly necessary, use PCP-registered bait inside locked, labeled stations—or opt for trapping/exclusion.
Rely on peppermint myths.	Scents fade; behaviour and habitat drive results.	Cover the cut area, clean up birdseed spills, install tree guards, and run enclosed snap traps along vole runways.
Skip fall prep.	Unprotected trunks + winter cover = spring damage.	In October: Install and inspect hardware cloth guards, edge beds, reduce heavy mulch, and seal patio/sidewalk seams.

When to call Major Pest Control Calgary

1. Inspection and ID — species, pressure zones, soil compaction, irrigation pattern.
2. Map and plan — live runs, station counts, trap type, and placement.
3. Set and secure — professional traps and locked stations with signage.
4. Follow-ups — resets, count logs, and a stop-activity check.
5. Proofing — tree guards, mulch adjustments, mow height, and aeration advice.
6. Aftercare — a simple weekly routine you can keep up.
   

What you get

• Licensed technicians, Calgary-specific methods, and clear safety steps.
• Tools that target the pest and keep kids, pets, and wildlife safe.
• A guarantee on the program with scheduled return visits until the activity ends.
  
  

Fixing the lawn after control

You can repair the turf once activity levels return to normal. Rake loose soil, topdress light depressions, and overseed with a hardy mix suited to Calgary. Keep foot traffic off the new seed until you see strong sprout growth. Where voles strip bark on young trees, prune dead shoots in spring, and watch for stress through the first hot spell.

FAQs

Do moles eat roots?
No. They target earthworms and insects. Root loss often links to soil drying along tunnels or to vole chewing.

How fast does a good plan work?
Light mole activity can drop in 3–7 days with live-run traps placed correctly. Vole pockets often need 1–2 weeks with trapping and habitat fixes. Bigger properties need scheduled follow-ups.

Is poison the answer for moles?
Most “baits” for moles underperform and raise risk for pets and wildlife. Trapping on active runs is the standard.

Does winter wipe out voles?
Snow insulates them. They keep feeding under the cover and leave runways and bark damage that you notice in the melt.

Can I fix tunnels now?
Yes. After control, rake, topdress, and overseed. Keep the seed moist until it takes.

When you want it done right the first time?

Book Major Pest Control Calgary for a site check and a mapped plan. You get safe gear, licensed staff, and follow-ups until the yard is quiet again. Call and tell us where you see runways or mounds. We’ll take it from there.

Final word

If you’re unsure whether it’s a mole or a vole, don’t guess. The right plan depends on proper ID. We’ll inspect, explain the options, and fix the problem—safely, quickly, and with follow-up you can trust.