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What are gophers, moles, and voles?
Gophers, moles, and voles are types of mammals that regularly invade our Southern California yards.
Gophers are large, powerful rodents covered in dense tannish or brown fur. They have stout bodies, short necks, and blunt snouts. Their most important feature is their short, front legs and claws, used to tunnel through the soil. Gophers also have external cheek pouches they use to carry the food they have gathered.
The vole is another type of rodent that, to many people, looks quite similar to a mouse. Voles have small ears, short tails, and rounded snouts. Covering the chunky, round body is dense black or brown fur.
Moles are Insectivores, not rodents. These pests have small, stocky bodies covered in dense, dark brown, or black velvety fur; their short tails lack hair, and they have hairless pointed snouts. They also have large front feet and rounded claws to move through the dirt they live and feed in. Their back legs are smaller and thinner and have sharp claws. Because they are ground-dwelling creatures, moles have small eyes, poor vision, and ears without external openings.
Are gophers, moles, and voles dangerous?
Though gophers, moles, and voles are natural aerators and can be helpful out in nature, when in our yards, they are destructive pests. The presence of these mammals can cause significant damage to lawns, gardens, grass, landscaping plants, shrubs, and trees as they tunnel through the ground to find their preferred food sources. Not only is the damage they do unsightly, but costly; landscaping and grass are not inexpensive to replace.
Why do I have a gopher, mole, and vole problem?
Lawn and garden pests like gophers, moles, and voles are in your yard tunneling through the ground because it's providing them with suitable food sources. More often than not, it is yards and gardens that are healthy and well-maintained that attract the attention of gophers, moles, and voles as it provides them with the best soil to move through and the most plentiful sources of food.
Rural properties or properties surrounded by things like fields, parks, farmland, orchards, and meadows are most likely to experience problems with these outdoor pests.
Where Will I Find Gophers, Moles, and Voles?
You will find gophers, moles, and voles living in areas wherever their preferred food sources are.
- Gophers feed on bulbs, plant roots, and grass roots. They live underground, preferring to create their tunnels in loose, sandy, well-irrigated soil.
- Voles feed on grass, shrubs, tree barks, plant stems, and leaves. They like to live in areas with tall grass, under dense ground cover, and in areas where there is a lot of landscaping.
- Moles feed on worms, grubs, and insects. They live most of their lives underground, tunneling through the soil, searching for their insect prey.
How can I prevent gophers, moles, and voles in the future?
"Better For You. Better For The Planet." Trust Pacific Shore Pest Control to solve your pest problems. On top of our pest control services, help guard your property against gophers, moles, and voles with the help of our easy to execute pest prevention tips.
- Do not overwater your lawn and gardens; they prefer loose, damp soil to dig or tunnel through
- Use raised beds to garden, placing wire mesh into the ground at the bottom of the beds.
- Protect flower beds by placing fencing around them, burying it at least 18 inches into the ground.
- Regularly mow your grass to keep it short.
- Remove dense ground cover and landscaping plants from your yard.
- Fill in holes that develop in your yard.
How do I get rid of gophers, moles, and voles?
Keeping yard and landscape pests like gophers, moles, and voles at bay is a difficult task. These outdoor pests will make themselves at home anywhere that meets their specific needs. The best way to eliminate current problems you are experiencing with these pests and prevent them from returning in the future is with the help of a local professional. At Pacific Shore Pest Control, we want to help you protect what matters most to you — your family, yard, and home, from pests. We will solve your gopher, mole, or vole problems through our green and organic pest control solutions.
Guarding people against pests, delivering eco-friendly pest management solutions, and providing exceptional customer service are our top priorities! If you live in Orange County and want to learn more about our Orange County home pest control solutions or our commercial pest management plans, reach out to Pacific Shore Pest Control today!
What Pacific Shore Customers Have To Say
Pacific Shore Pest Control received an average rating of 5 out of 5 stars from 58 reviews.
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"Ricardo is always very good at what he does. Always asking if we have had any problems and to notify him anytime we do. Great work Ricardo."- Ron M.
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"Very satisfied with service. We have seen a noticeable reduction in pests around our condo complex."- Mercene C.
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"Tech was on time and very professional. He was also very respectful of property and throughout in his inspection."- Yanine F.
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"Josh arrived on time. He thoroughly treated all areas of concern and made sure to clean up thoroughly afterwards as well. Very appreciative of his help."- Nano M.
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"I'm super happy with this company! Mario has been servicing my place and is super kind, polite, and efficient. Thank you so much!"- Jen M.
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"The service was great and everything was explained very clearly. I've tried multiple companies over the years and I'm impressed with the quality of service."- Alex G.
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