Moles Vs Gopher Mounds: Understanding the Differences

As a homeowner or property owner, the presence of moles or gophers in your yard can quickly become a source of frustration. These small, burrowing creatures can cause damage to your lawn and garden, leaving behind unsightly mounds and tunnels. But how do you differentiate between mole mounds and gopher mounds? Understanding the differences is essential to identifying the problem correctly and choosing the right solution.

At Got Moles, we specialize in handling mole and gopher infestations, and we’re here to break down the key differences between these two creatures and their mounds. Let’s dive into how moles and gophers affect your yard, and how you can tell them apart.

1. Mole Mounds: The Silent Burrowers

Moles are small, insectivorous mammals known for their underground tunneling habits. They have adapted to life in the soil, with powerful front limbs designed for digging. These animals are most often found in lawns, gardens, and fields where they have easy access to a food source—earthworms, grubs, and insects that live beneath the surface.

Characteristics of Mole Mounds:

Mole mounds are typically small, conical mounds that appear in a relatively random pattern across your lawn. Unlike gophers, moles don’t create large, circular mounds. Instead, they create a series of raised ridges on the surface of the ground where they are tunneling. These ridges may be most noticeable after you’ve had a few days of rain, as the soft, moist soil makes tunneling easier for moles.

• Shape: The mounds of a mole are usually small and dome-shaped.

• Tunneling Pattern: Moles are known for their extensive tunnel systems that can span large areas. They tend to create shallow tunnels just below the surface, causing mounds to appear in a patchy or irregular pattern across the lawn.

• Soil Type: Moles prefer moist soil and are particularly active in spring and early summer when the soil is soft and abundant with food.

• Damage: As moles tunnel, they can cause the ground to become spongy, potentially damaging grass, roots, and plants. Their tunneling can lead to dead patches of grass due to root damage.

2. Gopher Mounds: The Burrowing Rodents

On the other hand, gophers are rodents that burrow into the earth to create large, complex tunnel systems. They are generally larger than moles, with powerful teeth and strong jaws that they use to dig through the soil and feed on plant roots, bulbs, and other vegetation. Gophers often create a lot of visible damage to gardens and landscaping, particularly where there is a dense root system.

Characteristics of Gopher Mounds:

Gophers create larger, more noticeable mounds compared to moles. These mounds are circular or kidney-shaped with a hole in the center, which is where the gopher entered or exited its tunnel. The mound is created as the gopher digs down to form its tunnel system and pushes soil to the surface.

• Shape: Gopher mounds are typically round or kidney-shaped with a distinct hole in the center where the gopher exits.

• Tunneling Pattern: Gophers create much larger, deeper tunnels than moles, and their tunnel systems often feature larger mounds that are positioned near the entrances. These mounds may be heavier and more compact due to the volume of soil moved.

• Soil Type: Gophers can burrow into a variety of soil types but tend to favor loamy or sandy soils. They create larger, deeper tunnels that can be hard to detect if you’re unfamiliar with their activity.

• Damage: Gophers cause more significant damage to plants and crops because they feed on roots, bulbs, and shrubs. They can dislodge or even kill plants by destroying their root systems, and these critter burrowing can cause uneven ground.

3. Key Differences Between Mole and Gopher Mounds

While both moles and gophers are burrowing creatures that leave behind mounds, there are several key differences you should be aware of. These distinctions will help you determine whether you’re dealing with a mole or a gopher issue and guide you in finding the right solution to help control these pests.

Size of the Mounds:

• Mole Mounds: Typically smaller and more irregular in shape. They don’t have the central hole, and the mound is created by moles pushing dirt as they tunnel just beneath the surface.

• Gopher Mounds: Larger, circular, and more structured. Gophers create mounds with a visible hole in the center and a more noticeable buildup of dirt.

Location of the Mounds:

• Mole Mounds: Mole tunnels are generally closer to the surface, creating a series of raised ridges that form irregular patches of mounds.

• Gopher Mounds: Gophers create larger and more organized mounds near tunnel entrances, often in rows or patterns. Their mounds are typically more noticeable because of the hole in the center.

Tunnel Depth:

• Mole Tunnels: Moles prefer to stay just below the surface, creating shallow, surface-level tunnels. The shallow nature of these tunnels is why mole mounds appear more like ridges.

• Gopher Tunnels: Gophers burrow much deeper into the ground. Their tunnels often run at a greater depth, which is why their mounds are more noticeable and higher above the ground.

Impact Gopher or Mole have on Your Yard:

• Mole Damage: While moles don’t typically eat plants, their tunnels can destroy grass roots, leading to dead patches in your lawn. Their burrowing can also make it difficult to mow or walk on the lawn.

• Gopher Damage: Gophers are more destructive in terms of plant life. By feeding on roots and bulbs, gophers can completely kill plants and flowers. They may also create large burrows that cause ground erosion and damage to underground irrigation lines.

4. How to Control Moles and Gophers

Now that you understand the differences between moles and gophers, you may be wondering what the next steps are for dealing with these unwelcome creatures in your yard.

For both moles and gophers, the first step is proper identification. It’s essential to know what you’re dealing with to ensure you use the correct control methods. Here are some ways to handle each situation:

• Moles Gophers: You can control mole populations through traps, repellents, and by improving the health of your lawn (as they are attracted to unhealthy, grub-infested soil).

• Mound Gophers: Gopher control often involves trapping or the use of poisons. You can also try installing underground barriers or using plant-based repellents to deter them from entering your garden.

If you find yourself struggling with mole or gopher damage, it’s always a good idea to call in the experts, pest control for proper removal. At Got Moles, we offer professional wildlife management services to effectively handle both mole and gopher infestations and help restore the health of your lawn and garden.

Conclusion

Moles and gophers might share some similar traits, but understanding their differences—particularly their mounds and burrowing patterns—can help you properly assess and address any issues in your home and yard. Whether you’re dealing with shallow ridges caused by moles or large, circular mounds from gophers, identifying the problem early can save you time, effort, and costly repairs. Mole control and wildlife removal is easy to access and is available to you just 1 phone call away.

At Got Moles, we’re committed to helping you take control of your property. Whether it’s moles or gophers, we’ve got you covered with effective, humane solutions to keep your yard safe and beautiful.