Is It a Mouse or a Vole? Here’s How to Tell

If you’ve spotted something small and furry scurrying in your yard or home, your first instinct might be to assume it’s a mouse. But not so fast! Sometimes that critter might actually be a vole. Understanding the difference is key—not just for curiosity’s sake, but because the best solution for controlling mice vs vole infestations can vary.

Here’s how to distinguish between a mouse and a vole, and what you can do if they’re not so welcome on your property.

Mice vs Vole: The Main Differences

1. Appearance

• Mice:
  • Usually have slender bodies and long, thin tails (as long or longer than their body).
  • Ears are large relative to their head.
  • Pointed noses and smooth fur.
  • Most common species indoors are house mice (gray or brown).
• Voles:
  • Stockier, with short legs and a very short, furry tail.
  • Small, rounded ears that often hide in their fur.
  • Blunt noses and shaggy-looking fur.
  • Often called “meadow mice” but are quite different from typical mice.

2. Habitat and Behavior

• Mice:
  • More likely to be found indoors, especially in kitchens, pantries, attics, and walls.
  • Excellent climbers and jumpers.
  • Omnivores, but especially attracted to grains and human food scraps.
• Voles:
  • Prefer to stay outside and rarely invade homes.
  • Dig extensive tunnel systems under lawns, gardens, or mulch.
  • Herbivores, feeding mostly on grasses, roots, seeds, and bulbs.

3. Signs of Activity

• Mice:
  • Droppings (small, rod-shaped), gnawed food packaging, chewed wires, or noises in walls.
  • Nests made from shredded paper or fabric.
• Voles:
  • Runways or surface tunnels in grassy areas.
  • Small holes in lawns or gnaw marks on plants and tree bark, especially at ground level.
  • Soil mounds and more visible damage to landscaping.

4. Damage

• Mice:
  • Indoor contamination, potential electrical hazards if wiring is chewed.
• Voles:
  • Lawn and garden destruction, damage to trees and plant roots.

Why Does It Matter? Mice vs Vole

Understanding if you have mice vs vole trouble makes a big difference when it comes to effective control:

• Mice infestations: pose health risks inside your home and should be addressed by sealing entry points and setting traps.
• Vole problems: require outdoor strategies like habitat modification or targeted baiting, since they focus on your yard and landscaping.

When to Call the Experts

Whether you’re struggling with a mouse in your kitchen or voles destroying your flower beds, you don’t have to tackle it alone. Professional exterminators can quickly identify the problem and what pest it is and customize a treatment plan for your property.

Serving Georgia, Tennessee, and Texas, our expert extermination team offers targeted solutions for mice. Don’t wait for the damage to add up—contact us today for a free inspection and reclaim your home and yard from unwanted visitors!

Request Your Free Rodent Inspection Now!

Final Thoughts

Spotting the differences between mice vs vole is an important first step towards resolving your rodent problem effectively. Use these tips to identify your uninvited guests, keep an eye out for the signs, and know that professional help is just a call or click away in Georgia, Tennessee, and Texas.

If you suspect mice or voles are causing trouble at your home, get in touch today for expert advice and fast, reliable service.