The soil mounds are caused by moles. These are little mammals about 13.5 cm to 25 cm in length (from the head to the tip of the tail) and light brown to black in colour. They have broad front feet, very small eyes, and no external ears. Moles must consume 70% to 90% of their body weight in food each day and so they burrow around in the ground searching for food (such as earthworms, white grubs and beetles). While the moles burrow through the soil, they uproot the grass and destroy the roots. Moles do not directly consume the plant matter. Burrowing occurs from night to early dawn. The star-nosed mole is the most common mole found in Ontario. It ordinarily tunnels at a depth of 10-15 cm, raising numerous and frequent mounds.

Methods of control include trapping, killing, fumigating or applying insecticides. Trapping is an effective way of reducing the mole population, but due to the wandering habit of the mole, more moles may return to the site. Traps must be placed in actively used tunnels. Effective trapping will occur during the winter months (from November to March) because this is when the permanent runways are made by the moles. Fumigating with thriam, zinc phosphide and calcium cyanide may deter moles from feeding in the area. Moles prefer moist sandy soil so one method of control would be to reduce the moisture in the soil but not to the point of damaging the turf. Use of insecticides will reduce the food supply and may cause the mole to look elsewhere for food. However, this reduction in food may cause the mole to search more vigorously for food in the area and cause more damage to the lawn. It is important to note that these methods will only reduce the mole population size on your land. These methods of control do not guarantee that the moles will not return.To see what a mole looks like, visit Ohio State University (External link)

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• Poor aeration
• Poor drainage
• Low fertility
• High acidityHeavy shade

• the fertility requirements (which can be determined using soil tests) of the lawn must be met.
• thatch control by vigorous raking or use of a vertical mower
• reduction of shade by pruning trees
• maintenance of a soil pH of between 6 to 7 - apply lime if soil is a
• improve surface drainge
• reduce compaction and increase aeration by spiking slicing or aerifying with a mechanical aeifier
• do not overwater
• do not remove more that 1/3 of the top growth at one time when mowing - mow at a height appropriate for the grass species 1

Voles caused this damage. Voles are small rodents that feed on plants. These rodents eat away at the grass and form narrow runways about 2.5 to 5.0 cm wide. When the snow is gone, these trails are evident and take several months to refill with grass. There are two main types of voles that are present in Ontario - the meadow vole and the pine vole.The meadow vole is about 150 to 190 mm, with a dark chestnut brown coat and a gray belly. It's tail is twice as long as its hind foot, and it has prominent eyes and furry ears. It makes shallow runways along the soil surface and feeds mostly on grass seeds, herbs and bulbs in the spring and summer and bark in the fall and winter.The pine vole is about 110 to 135 mm long, has a light brown coat and its tail is as long as the hind foot. This vole has sunken eyes and ears buried in the fur. It occupies deep burrows in the soil and feeds mostly on rootlets and bark from larger roots. Voles will consume a large amount of vegetation as they work dayor night. Their demand for food is greatest during their breeding season in spring and early summer.

Voles require food, shelter and lack of predators to survive and reproduce, therefore removing one of these criteria over the year will provide an effective means of control. Controlling weeds surrounding trees and installing tree guards deter voles from feeding on bark and reduces areas where they may take shelter. Encouraging natural predators such as dogs and cats, will also reduce the number of voles on your lawn. If these simpler methods are ineffective, or if your vole problem is serious apply rodenticides by using bait/bait station combinations. Some rodenticide types include anticoagulants (for example brodifacaum, chlorophacinone and diaphacinone) and stomach poisons (for example zinc phosphide). Bait stations should be placed about 25/ha. Be sure to alternate the baits, i.e. anticoagulants with stomach poisons to ensure that both pine and meadow vole populations are controlled. Other control methods such as trapping, fumigation and shooting have been found to be ineffective at reducing vole populations.